Preparing Effective Performance Work Statements or Statements of Objectives
Overview
Performance Based Acquisition (PBA) is a major mandate of effectively implementing acquisition reform throughout the government. Getting the needed buy-in not only from procurement officials, but from program and project managers and technical staff, is a major challenge. To achieve this, the benefits of developing performance based contracts need to outweigh the risks, costs and time of doing procurement in other ways. This workshop is thus presented to:
1) increase facility with creating Statements of Work or Statements of Objectives that are performance based
2) demonstrate PBA’s benefits through direct connections to emerging buys and
3) discover incentives and performance management means of serving future buying needs better.
Further, the results will connect with OMB Circulars and Best Practices.
A major emphasis is having inter-displinary teams from each organization working together to formulate effective performance based requirements that can be put to immediate use.
Learning Objectives:
• Recognize what is a poor Statement of Work and why
• Define and create Performance Work Statements for where they are most needed: new buys and Task Orders under existing contracts
• Understand that a Performance Work Statement is effective when it connects the parts to create a synergy of clear need and ties to the program
• Use a consensus-based process to structure a Performance Work Statement and have it relate well to its cost estimate
• Weave tighter threads among the Performance Work Statement, Proposal Preparation Instructions, and Evaluation Criteria
• Know when and how to select and incorporate Incentives in a PBA
• Improve performance results through consistent involvement, stronger communication with and reviews of contractors, and active implementation of technical and procurement personnel and
• Strengthen performance accountability across the acquisition, program, strategic, capital investment, enterprise architecture and budgetary domains.
Other Featured Benefits:
• Checklists to ensure strong Requirements Descriptions for New Buys and Task Orders
• Means to ensure greater accountability in doing Cost Estimates
• Examples of Requirements Descriptions that are successful
• Templates to Outline and Time Schedule your needs
• Demonstrated requirements’ best practices for post award performance
As a result of this seminar experience, participants will further both Government & Contractor program interests by stating them more clearly and incorporate best practices in defining and monitoring contract requirements.
Field(s) of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group-live
Program Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: No advance preparation required
Recommended CPE Credit: 14 credits
Program Registration Requirements
Registration fee $995, includes the price of course materials. Register online by selecting a date and clicking the "Register Now" button in the column to the right, call 1-888-300-8201, fax the completed Seminar Registration Form to 1-888-300-8201, or mail the completed Seminar Registration Form to Federal Contracts Training Center, 2700 Lake Cook Rd, Riverwoods, IL 60015.
Refund Policy
In the case that you cannot attend a seminar, FCTC permits attendee substitutions at any time prior to the start date of the seminar. We remind all participants to properly complete all Master’s Certification, CPE, and other credit documentation upon attending each seminar, including the post-seminar evaluation.
In Case of Cancellation
• If seminar registration is canceled or otherwise changed two weeks or more prior to the start date of the seminar, then FCTC will refund any tuition paid or apply it to a different seminar of the participant’s choice.
• If seminar registration is canceled or otherwise changed less than two weeks prior to the start date of the seminar, then FCTC will not refund any tuition paid; however, any tuition paid can be applied to a different seminar of the participant’s choice as long as he or she contacts FCTC prior to the start date of the seminar.
Complaint Resolution Policy
It is the goal of the FCTC to ensure 100% satisfaction with your seminar experience. If you believe that the seminar you attended did not meet or exceed the expectations of being relevant, well delivered, and professionally valuable, then please contact the FCTC with your concerns at 1-888-300-8201 or online at www.FCTCenter.com. Every reasonable effort will be made to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
CPE Accreditation
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CCH is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org.
Agenda
DAY ONE
8:00 - 9:00 AM
I. Welcome and Introduction
A. Logistics
B. Participant expectations input
C. Perspectives about this course
1. Definitions:
a. Performance-based acquisition (PBA)
b. Performance-based work statement (PWS)
c. Statement of Objectives (SOO)
2. Initial application of PWS/SOO: deciding whether to contract out commercial services under OMB Circular A-76
3. PWS/SOO Monitoring Process
4. Causes of Past Failures
5. Benefits of Using PBA
6. Thrust of this class: strengthen Requirement description skills in new buys & task ordering for current acquisitions
9:00 - 10:00 AM
II. PWS/SOO Instances: New Buys & Task Ordering
A. Review of Source Selection Process
B. Review of Task Ordering
C. Creating PWS/SOO for New Buys or Task Orders
1. Types: completion versus term
2. Elements
a. Background
b. Scope
c. Work tasks
d. Deliverables
e. Applicable Documents-- Performance Standards
f. Acceptance Criteria-- Performance Indicators & Quality Assurance Procedures
g. Other Resource Concerns
3. Exercise: Assessing a Requirement-- Part I
10:15 - 11:00 AM
III. Improving the Background Section
A. Steps to obtaining an effective PWS/SOO
B. Basic SOW framework
C. Elements for a Background Section
D. Tips for Writing the Background Section
E. Exercise: Assessing a Requirement-- Part II
11:00 - 11:30 AM
IV. Improving the Scope (Introduction) Section
A. Elements for a Scope Section
B. Tips for Writing a Scope Section
C. Exercise: Assessing a Requirement-- Part III
D. Exercise: Discovering Synergy Between the Background & Scope Sections
12:30 - 1:00 PM
V. Improving the Tasks Section
A. Elements for a Tasks Section
B. Why Tasks are Poorly Defined
C. Avoiding Communication Misunderstanding
D. Helpful Hints
E. Exercises: Doing a SOW Resource Analysis
Sustaining Contract SOW/Order SOW
Connections
Assessing the Requirement-- Part IV
1:00 - 1:30 PM
VI. Improving the Deliverables Section
A. Elements for a Deliverables Section
B. Ways of Describing the Format & Content Better
C. Exercise: Charting the Deliverables
D. Exercise: Assessing a Requirement-- Part V
1:45 - 3:00 PM
VII. Performance Indicators: Finding Meaningful Ones
A. Definition, sample and challenges
B. Locating appropriate ones
C. Examples
D. Process of Using Performance Indicators
E. Samples of Indicators and their Measurements
F. Quality Assurance aspects
G. Exercise: Assessing Performance Indicators
H. Exercise: Evaluating Examples of Performance Measurement
I. Charting Performance Measurement
J. Exercise: Assessing a Requirement- Part VI
3:00 - 3:30 PM
VIII. Incentivizing a Contract
A. Misunderstandings in Using Incentives
B. Incentive Possibilities
C. Exercise
3:30 - 3:45 PM
IX. Seminar Review & Preview of Tomorrow's Activities
DAY TWO
8:00 - 8:15 AM
I. Retrospect and Prospect
A. Review of Yesterday's Workshop
B. Questions & Answers
C. Introduction to today's activities
8:15 - 9:00 AM
II. Major Indicator of a Strong Requirement: Doing an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)
A. Procedure
B. Examples--Task Order & New Buy
C. Exercise
9:00 - 10:45 AM
III. Furthering Your Ability to Strengthen a PWS/SOO- Sample One
A. Instructions
B. Group Effort
C. Presentations
10:45 - 11:15 AM
IV. Performance Management Impacts of a PWS/SOO on:
A. Degree of Surveillance
B. Technical Direction
C. Performance Evaluation
D. Changes
E. Ethical Behavior
12:15 - 2:15 PM
V. Furthering Your Ability to Strengthen a PWS/SOO- Sample Two
A. Instructions
B. Group Effort
C. Presentations
2:30 - 3:00 PM
VI. PWS/SOO Implications
A. On choosing and using various Incentives
B. On Performance Measurement of the Procurement Office and the Program
3:00 - 3:15 PM
VII. Characteristics of the PWS/SOO Document
3:15 - 3:30 PM
VIII. Training Effectiveness Evaluation
Presenters
Steven Stryker
Steven Stryker is a professional consultant in business for over thirty years. He provides custom-tailored, just-in-time training, facilitating and consulting services to enhance the successful performance of federal acquisitions, programs and projects. He also has supported the lifecycle process of program and project success. Mr. Stryker continues to meet the challenge of successful performance acquisition implementation in a “cradle to grave” process—as a primary achievement of OMB & agency Acquisition Policy. Based on previous efforts with the DHS, EPA, Treasury, HHS as well as DOL, DOI, DOT, GSA, NIH, HUD, Justice, Commerce, USDA, GPO, Army, Air Force & Navy as well as government-focused firms, the results have demonstrated a categorical improvement in more effectively fulfilling the client's requirements through saved time, money and reduced problems, while obtaining higher-quality performance and outputs.
In order to achieve the above results, the services provided consist of three functions:
I. Custom-tailoring courses to meet the immediate client motivations and needs in Strategic Planning, Acquisition and Project Management-- or a combination. This endeavor profiles what the client's needs are in advance and focuses the subsequent instruction to effectively meet the needs of those who actually attend. Follow up is done to sustain the skill transfer has made the expected difference in job performance. One growing example is providing Certification classes to the CO/CS, COR/COTR as well as the Program/Project Manager Communities. A main focus of these classes will be to use performance-based methods to critique and create better requirement descriptions, solicitations, and performance management plans. In fact, the courses can be designed to integrate the acquisition, business and project management skills need toward the career development of the attendees—both acquisition and technical.
In addition, facilitation and consulting services include:
II. Lifecycle support to emerge and implement acquisitions, projects and/or strategic endeavors. Unlike "pure training", this activity is incorporated as part of real time decision-making for the actual situation. Effective group dynamics and teaming communication is conveyed and instituted as a key part to obtain the results needed. Appropriate follow through occurs. Herein, a venue that works to achieve this is to do a “pilot” endeavor using the performance orientation so that the success achieved can be replicated to "level up" future organizational performance.
III. Resolutions of specific acquisition, project, and/or planning issues. Here, effective consulting process and procedures are employed to listen and to understand what the true client need is, and then ensure that this need is met through multiple channels of communication. Timely outputs and outcomes occur that fully reflect the solution. Briefings are done at critical times to ensure all key stakeholders have continued buy in. Lessons Learned and/or Best Practices are compiled and forwarded to sustain future resolutions of similar concerns.
Mr. Stryker is a Certified Trainer through DAU and FAI to meet the learning competencies of the FAC-COTR and FAC-P/PM professional development programs from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
Authorship
Mr. Stryker has also authored three books: Plan to Succeed: A Guide to Strategic Planning, Guide to Successful Consulting, and Principles and Practices of Professional Consulting. He is currently at work on a book demonstrating effective processes and practices for Contracting Officer Representative success. Currently, he is completing a volume on The COTR Handbook: Effective Catalyst For Stronger Organizational Performance.
Professional Speaking
In addition, over the last three years, Mr. Stryker has been a requested speaker and presenter at a number of conferences and seminars on Performance Based topics (with a focus on enhancing performance application and accountability). The Conference sponsors include: The Performance Institute, The Government Contracting Institute, FOSE, Market Access, NCMA, Council for Excellence in Government and HHS.
Registration Fee
$995
Dates and Locations
- November 8, 2010 - November 9, 2010
- Flamingo Las Vegas
3555 Las Vegas Blvd S (Map)
Las Vegas, NV