govcon.forum

What's the difference between a Statement of Objectives (SOO) and a Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

Ask a question
Asked Active Viewed 0 timesQuestion
1answer

I'm working on a federal RFP for janitorial services, NAICS 561720, that's a set-aside for small businesses. The last one I bid on had a Performance Work Statement (PWS) but this new one has a Statement of Objectives (SOO) instead. I’ve heard both terms, but it's not clear to me what the real difference is. My team is scrambling because we're used to the PWS format, and this SOO looks like it's asking us to do more work for the proposal. What exactly is the difference between an SOO and a PWS, and how does that affect what we write in our proposal?

statement-of-objectivesperformance-work-statementrfpsoo
ShareReport
asked Jo R. Freelance proposal writer · Denver, CO · 745 rep

1 answer

0

A Statement of Objectives (SOO) gives the high-level desired outcomes, while a Performance Work Statement (PWS) provides detailed requirements for how to achieve those outcomes. The SOO shifts the burden of defining the approach to the contractor, requiring you to develop a more comprehensive proposal that outlines your proposed solution, methodology, and performance metrics.

For a PWS, the government specifies how the work should be performed, including tasks, deliverables, and performance standards. Your proposal responds to these defined requirements. When an agency uses an SOO, your proposal must create the equivalent of a PWS, detailing your approach to meet the stated objectives. This means more effort in crafting the technical volume of your proposal, as you are responsible for defining the specific work activities and how you will measure success. It allows for innovative solutions but demands a deeper understanding of the government's underlying needs.

ShareReport
answered Nadia F. Verified vendorWOSB owner, management consulting · Minneapolis, MN · 758 rep

Your answer

Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

Related questions