Pilots allow a safe, time-bound, space for experimentation and ensure that ex-post evaluation occurs before the initiative is prolonged, adapted or terminated. Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons, however, that these initiatives are run as pilots is that they allow public authorities to enter into contractual agreements with service providers without going through typical procurement processes. This is due to the limited budget involved which in most instances is below the threshold for formal bid processes and due to the temporary nature of the partnerships. In some instances, however (the RIDE partnership in Boston), the pilot is run through a bid-based procurement process.