Understanding Performance Work Statements: Guidance for Writing a PWS

by Robert 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.

42 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2017

About the author

THE AUTHOR Robert Knauer served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Supply Corps Officer and in government as a senior Contracting Officer for over 32 years before becoming CEO of a consulting firm. He finally retired to enjoy life and write novels. Since retiring, he has authored a variety of murder mystery novels, technical guidebooks, and am currently working on a romance novel. Murder is his favorite subject along with the navy. Published works include: “Murder on Steel Beach: A Navy Story”, “Chaos on a Cargo Ship”, “LIMIT 55: Confessions of a Killer”, "Murder Florida Style" and a number of technical guidebooks that can be found on Amazon regarding government contracting. If you'd like a signed copy of one of my books, just purchase it, send it with postage prepaid both ways (ask for my address) and I will sign it and return it to you, in your prepaid box.
In addition to writing, the author is also a singer-songwriter under the name of Robert Valor. My songs can be found on Spotify, Apply, Amazon and other forums.