How To Write a Performance Work Statement (PWS)

NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

Know the Earth…Show the WayUnclassified

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126 Jan 05

How To Write a Performance Work Statement

(PWS)

Paula Ireland & Chuck BeattyNGA Acquisition Center (NAC)26 Jan 05

For Official Use Only




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226 Jan 05

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



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326 Jan 05

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



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426 Jan 05

Important Term

Service Object Initial State

Service Process (Tasks)

Service Object Final State

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

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



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Developing a Performance Work Statement – 10 Steps

1. Identify the object(s) you want the contractor to change2. State what you want the contractor to do to the object(s)3. Analyze each service object to identify the object parts that

require separate treatment (NO VERBS)4. Develop performance standards5. Write and organize the list of service tasks6. Write the performance requirements summary7. Write the other sections of the work statement (Scope,

References, Deliverables)8. Prepare a table of contents, if PWS is more than 10 pages9. Prepare document cover, if PWS is attachment to contract10. Publish the PWS

the challenge !



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Step 3 – Work Breakdown AnalysisThe Most Important Step

OBJECT

PART A PART B

OBJECTWhat 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



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Product of Step 3 – Work Breakdown Structure or WBS

The WBS is the underlying framework of a PWS



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H a rd w a rd

L in o le um

W a ll-to -w a ll

O rie n ta l

C a rp e t

T ile

F lo o rs

M e ta l

W o odS ys te m s

L e ath er

F u rn itu re

S in ks

S h o w er

T o ile ts

C a b in e ts

F ix tu res

R e frige ra to r

D ish w a sh er

In te rio r

E x te rio r

S tove

A p p lia n ces

B lin ds

C u rta ins

G la ss

W in d o w s

P a in tin gs

P o s te rs

S u rfa ces

W a lls

O ffice B u ild ing

Result of Work Breakdown Analysis For Official Use Only




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Step 4 – Develop Performance StandardsThe 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



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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!]



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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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Step 6 – Write the Performance Requirements SummaryPerformance Requirements Summary

Sample Performance Standards

Task # Task DescriptionPerformance

IndicatorRequired Performance

Measurements

3.1 Clean floors daily State of CleanlinessFloors must be free of all visible dirt and refuse

3.2 Empty wastebaskets daily ContentsEach wastebasket must contain a clean plastic liner and be empty of refuse.

4.1Teach monthly class on how to write a PWS

% of students who pass course

98% of students must pass the PWS course

5.1Keep the system in an operational state

System availabilityThe system availability shall be greater than or equal to 99.5%

5.2Install 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

Documents

How To Write a Performance Work Statement (PWS)