“This report examines federal agencies that have contracted out large scale programs and evaluates their effectiveness. Privatization or outsourcing of services formerly provided in-house have become strategies used by an increasing number of local and state governments nationwide to lower service delivery costs and/or improve service quality. … Professor Lawther argues that as the service or product to be ‘contracted’ becomes more complex and the degree of uncertainty about the best means for program delivery increases, government needs to move away from the traditional contractor-customer relationship and move toward public-private partnerships. When the service or product to be provided is routine, the traditional contractor-customer relationship is adequate. In coming years, it is likely the contracting of increasingly complex projects will become more frequent.”