Statement of Work (SOW) Examples
Real SOWs and PWSs from federal solicitations of the last year, by service
A statement of work (SOW) is the part of a solicitation that says what the contractor will do: the tasks, deliverables, schedule, place of performance and the standards the work must meet. It becomes part of the contract, usually as Section C or an attachment. These are real statements of work and performance work statements (PWS) that federal agencies attached to their notices in the last year, by the service they buy: not blank templates, but documents to model yours on.
What a statement of work usually covers
- Background and scope: the agency, the program and what the work is for.
- Applicable documents: the publications and directives, standards and forms the work must follow.
- Tasks: what the contractor will do, usually numbered, with the requirements for each.
- Deliverables and schedule: reports, data and milestones; DoD lists data deliverables on a DD Form 1423.
- Period and place of performance: dates, hours, sites, and the property or facilities the government provides.
- Personnel, security and quality: key people, clearances, and how the government will check the work.
Statement of work examples by service
Maintenance, Repair, Rebuild Equipment PSC J
Maintenance, Repair, Alteration Real Property PSC Z
Support Services (Professional, Administrative, Management) PSC R
Utilities and Housekeeping PSC S
Instruments and Laboratory Equipment PSC 66
IT and Telecom – Information Technology and Telecommunications PSC D
Education and Training PSC U
Construction of Structures/Facilities PSC Y
Lease/Rent Equipment PSC W
Social Services PSC G
Communication/Detection/Coherent Radiation PSC 58
Furniture PSC 71
SOW, PWS or SOO?
- A statement of work (SOW) says what to do and often how to do it.
- A performance work statement (PWS) says what results the government needs and how it will measure them, and leaves the method to the contractor (FAR 37.602). Most services are bought this way.
- A statement of objectives (SOO) states only the goals; offerors propose the PWS.
- To use an example, pick ones close to the service you're buying or bidding on, see how they define tasks, deliverables and standards, and note the documents they cite. Each is a public record its agency posted.
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