For purposes of this Contract, privatization means the U.S. government has taken any action or legally binding arrangement through which an USPS has transferred to private individuals or organizations, for payment, at least some of its ownership interests, operational responsibilities, or decision-making authority over its primary functions or services. This may also include cessation of operations in favor of a private market (e.g. ending the U.S. Postal Service entirely would be encompassed by the Payout Criterion). This includes, but is not limited to, the delegation of core operational control through long-term concession agreements or leases, or the replacement of key government-directed services with private-sector delivery.