The Benchmarking, in the regulatory framework, provides the basis for determining the methodology to assess the temporal evolution of the efficiency of the regulated firm. Thus, it demands concepts, definitions and clarification regarding the reality of the use of models for the universalization in socially vulnerable areas. Benchmarking is a tool characterized by the ability to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of service provision by means of enterprises productivity indicators, which are compared. The objective is to analyze the peculiarities of urban areas for regulatory management, through the adoption of contractual indicators. Thus, the aim of this article was to discuss the application of concepts of regulated firms or benchmarking that can meet the peculiarities of services provision in urban vulnerable areas.
benchmarking; frontier efficiency indicators; productivity