The final report included the following conclusions based on the literature review, survey, and synthesis of information:

• Much of the available information on contracted services is provided in the context of general maintenance, and only rarely specifically addresses contracted services for winter
  maintenance operations.
• The main reasons for agencies to seek contractors for snow and ice response include: 1) lack of resources, 2) a state-level movement toward outsourcing or privatization, and 3)
  cost comparisons.
• In general, winter maintenance agencies use four types of contracting methods for snow and ice response: 1) rental agreements or short-term contracts, 2) defined amount of work
  or recurring work contracts, 3) blended forces and 4) asset management and public-private partnership contracts.
• Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) are increasingly popular in the United States and Canada. In PBMC, winter maintenance agencies usually set a minimum Level
  of Service (LOS) and response time to measure the performance.
• In most cases, winter maintenance agencies tend to rely on contractors to provide their own snow and ice equipment. Conversely, snow and ice control material (salt, sand, etc.) are
  commonly provided by the winter maintenance agencies.
• Studies have shown the need for minimum standards for the equipment used by contractors such as replacement time of aging equipment and upgrading to new technologies.
• It is generally perceived that urbanized areas, which have a higher density of contracting firms, are a more favorable environment to use contractors for snow and ice control
  functions. However, contractors are willing to work in remote areas if the size and duration of contracts are large enough.