Contract Structure

What is PWS?

Performance Work Statement

A PWS states the government's requirements in terms of outcomes and measurable standards rather than prescribing how the work is done. It pairs with a QASP that defines how each standard is surveilled. Performance-based contracting (LOGCAP, AFCAP, and most BOSS work) is built on PWSs.

The PWS is the heart of a solicitation: it drives the proposal, the staffing model, the metrics, and ultimately how performance is judged.

In FORGEFORGE parses a PWS into a compliance matrix so each requirement maps to evidence and an owner.

Common questions

What is the difference between a PWS and a SOW?

A SOW prescribes the specific tasks and methods; a PWS states required outcomes and measurable standards and leaves the 'how' to the contractor. PWSs enable performance-based, metric-driven contracts.