Private provision of public services: Contracting by large local governments

This study examines public service delivery by counties and municipalities of over 500,000 popula tion, through the practice of contracting out with the publicsector. It is based on responses to a question naire sent to purchasing officials in American and Canadian cities, counties, and state governments Results indicate the types of services contracted out the frequency of contracting out, procedures utilized and administrative attitudes. We find that a diverse group of non-professional,non-construction services are being provided by private contractors for these jurisdictions, but the jurisdictions are not providing a majority or even a significant portion of their services in this manner.