Monthly Archives: January 2024

Technology Neutral vs. Technology Specific Procurement

An imperfectly-informed regulator needs to procure multiple units of some good that can be produced with heterogeneous technologies at various costs. How should it optimally procure these units? We find that one size does not fit all: the preferred instrument depends on the costs of the available technologies, their degree of substitutability, the extent of information asymmetry, and the costs of public funds.