Statement of Work(SOW)
A contract document that describes the specific tasks, deliverables, timelines, and standards the contractor must meet.
Overview
A Statement of Work (SOW) is a detailed document that defines the work a contractor must perform under a contract. Unlike a Performance Work Statement (PWS), which focuses on outcomes, an SOW prescribes specific tasks, methodologies, deliverables, schedules, and standards. The government uses SOWs when it wants to control how the work is done, not just the results.
Why It Matters in GovCon
The SOW is the contract's blueprint. Your entire proposal, staffing plan, and pricing should map directly to its requirements. Missing a SOW requirement in your proposal is a compliance gap that can eliminate you from competition. During performance, the SOW defines what "done" looks like.
Key Details
- Prescriptive: Tells the contractor what to do, how to do it, and when. Leaves less room for innovation than a PWS.
- Deliverables: Specifies each deliverable, its format, due date, and acceptance criteria.
- Work Breakdown Structure: SOWs often follow a WBS format, organizing work into tasks, subtasks, and milestones.
- Government Responsibility: When the government prescribes methods, it assumes more risk if those methods prove inadequate.
- Trend: The government is increasingly moving from SOWs to PWSs to leverage contractor innovation.
How GovCon Data Can Help
GovCon Data's AI proposal generator analyzes SOW requirements and helps you build a proposal structure that addresses every task and deliverable systematically.
Related Terms
- Performance Work Statement (PWS)
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Contract Line Item Number (CLIN)
- Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)
More Solicitations Terms
A procurement approach where the government selects the offer that provides the greatest overall benefit, considering factors beyond just price.
The group of offerors selected by the government as having a reasonable chance of being awarded the contract, based on initial proposal evaluations.
A solicitation method where the government awards a contract to the lowest-priced responsive, responsible bidder through sealed bidding.
A source selection method where the contract is awarded to the lowest-priced offeror whose proposal meets all technical requirements.
A document that describes required contract outcomes and performance standards rather than prescribing how the work should be done.
A pre-solicitation document where the government seeks industry input on requirements, capabilities, and market conditions before issuing a formal solicitation.
Ready to Win More Contracts?
Use GovCon Data to find opportunities matched to your business and generate winning proposals with AI.