Robert K Knauer

Understanding Performance Work Statements Robert K Knauer

The objective of this guide is to provide guidance and assistance to our technical and program personnel when it is necessary to develop a statement of work for any acquisition that can be performance based. This document provides guidance, instructions and references for the preparation of Performance (Based) Work Statements (PWS). It is FAR policy that all contracts will be considered for PWS and focus on outcomes or results and not methods of performance or processes. Acquisition reform has sought for many years to reduce Government risk by using performance-based specifications and standards, which make the contractor responsible for providing the product requested, assuming the risk for meeting performance requirements, and seeking innovations to efficiently and effectively achieve performance objectives. Contractors will be given more latitude for determining methods of performance, with more responsibility for performance quality. The use of PWS should lead to more cost-effective acquisitions and much better value in contract outputs.