In the United States, state governments are primarily responsible for owning, developing financing mechanisms for, and operating their transportation assets. Both legislative and executive branches of state government are involved in the PPP decision-making and implementation process. Stages of this process include deciding whether a state will engage in PPPs; creating a policy framework; establishing a PPP program; developing, evaluating and selecting projects; engaging in procurement processes such as negotiation and bidding; contracting; and managing and overseeing contracts.