1. How To Write a Performance Work Statement (PWS)
For Official Use Only
How To Write a Performance Work Statement (PWS)
Paula Ireland & Chuck Beatty
NGA Acquisition Center (NAC)
26 Jan 05
26 Jan 05
For Official Use Only

2. Intro - Performance-Based Contracting
Structure all aspects of the acquisition around the purpose of the work
Set forth contract requirements in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes
Stay away from:
Specifying manner by which the work should be performed
Broad and imprecise statements of work
26 Jan 05

3. Intro - Performance-Based Contracting
Describe requirements in terms of results required
Service result = change in state of affairs
= condition you want to exist after the contractor has done the work
Use measurable performance standards
Quality, timeliness, quantity, etc.
Deducts - Specify procedures for reductions of fee or reductions price of FP contract when services are not performed or do not meet contract requirements
Incentives – Use where appropriate, when they offer significant advantages
26 Jan 05

4. Important Term Service Object – The thing that the contractor works on
A system, an individual thing, a person (e.g., student), an organization, a process, or information
Service Object Initial State
Service Process (Tasks)
Service Object Final State
Student knows nothing about PBC
Teach student about PBC
Student gains new knowledge of PBC
System is not functioning properly
Repair the system
System functions as it should
26 Jan 05

5. Developing a Performance Work Statement – 10 Steps
Identify the object(s) you want the contractor to change
State what you want the contractor to do to the object(s)
Analyze each service object to identify the object parts that require separate treatment (NO VERBS)
Develop performance standards
Write and organize the list of service tasks
Write the performance requirements summary
Write the other sections of the work statement (Scope, References, Deliverables)
Prepare a table of contents, if PWS is more than 10 pages
Prepare document cover, if PWS is attachment to contract
Publish the PWS
the challenge !
26 Jan 05

6. Step 3 – Work Breakdown Analysis The Most Important Step
OBJECT
PART A
PART B
What are the parts of this?
Does it need to be treated separately?
What are the parts of these? Do they need to be treated separately?
At each level of breakdown the parts must be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive of the next higher level. Furthermore, there must be no overlap among the parts at a particular level and nothing must be left out
26 Jan 05

7. Product of Step 3 – Work Breakdown Structure or WBS
The WBS is the underlying framework of a PWS
26 Jan 05

8. Result of Work Breakdown Analysis
For Official Use Only
Result of Work Breakdown Analysis
26 Jan 05
For Official Use Only

9. Step 4 – Develop Performance Standards The Most Difficult Step!
Performance standard = (Attribute of the service object that you want the contractor to change) + (a specific attribute description or measurement)
Floors must be free of all visible dirt and refuse
Each wastebasket must contain a clean plastic liner and be empty of refuse
90% of all incoming calls must be answered within three rings
Develop a performance standard for each element at the lowest of work breakdown
26 Jan 05

10. Step 4 – Develop Performance Standards
For each of the WBS’ lowest level elements, begin the performance standard with:
“The performance standard is met when . . .”
Then continue the standard with one or more of the following methods of evaluation:
-What you SEE, SMELL, HEAR, TASTE or FEEL is the determinant of acceptability
[Maintain Objectivity of Evaluation Standards!]
26 Jan 05

11. Step 5 – Write the List of Tasks
Each task statement begins with a verb and says: Do this to this . . .
Two parts:
Verb describing what the contractor must do.
Noun phrase describing the service object
ENSURE THAT YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT THE VERB MEANS AND NEVER INCLUDE MORE THAN ONE VERB IN A TASK STATEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26 Jan 05

12. Step 6 – Write the Performance Requirements Summary
Sample Performance Standards
Task #
Task Description
Performance Indicator
Required Performance Measurements
3.1
Clean floors daily
State of Cleanliness
Floors must be free of all visible dirt and refuse
3.2
Empty wastebaskets daily
Contents
Each wastebasket must contain a clean plastic liner and be empty of refuse.
4.1
Teach monthly class on how to write a PWS
% of students who pass course
98% of students must pass the PWS course
5.1
Keep the system in an operational state
System availability
The system availability shall be greater than or equal to 99.5%
5.2
Install virus definition updates to all computers on the network
Timeliness
Upon receipt of virus definition updates from the vendor, install those updates to all computers on the network within 24 hours
26 Jan 05