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THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW): A BRIEF REVIEW OF RESOURCES FROM THE WEB “A properly developed statement of work represents 80% of a successful public solicitation. The remaining 20% is just mechanics.” Terry Davenport The Statement of Work is critical to the success of any procurement process. It is, however, a neglected area. Many, if not most, of the 80,000 public entities in the This document identifies SOW resources. It is not comprehensive but only a beginning. If you know of other resources that should be included in this document, please send an email to Michael Asner. My email is: institute@rfpmentor.com [The full article first discusses the characteristics of a successful statement of work. It then identifies SOW resources in 4 major categories.] In searching the web, we found a number of different types of resources: 1. Training – There appear to be 2 types of training: instructor-led, and web or CD-based. This report identifies 6 sources of instructor-led live training, and one source of CD-based training. The CD-based training is a new product which we released Sept. 15, 2005. 2. Templates – We identified 4 different templates, of varying complexity and sophistication. 3. Guides & Manuals – We identified 5 different ‘how to’ manuals published by federal, state and local jurisdictions and available on the web. 4. Other Stuff – This category contains all of the entries which didn’t fit easily into the other categories. It contains books, kits, and other web sites. [In this extract, we present the material from one type of resource only.] Part 1 - Training There are several flavors of training available. The traditional instructor-led session is great when it’s available and when it’s local and when you need it. Unfortunately, this is often not the case for public sessions. In-house sessions are expensive and not always available when needed. Occasionally, there are web casts dealing with this topic offered by NIGP or a similar organization. These sessions can be very helpful and are convenient and relatively inexpensive. Prices range from $100 to $200 per terminal and several people can view the same terminal. They don’t require travel and typically take less than two hours. Unfortunately, they are not offered on a frequent basis. There is one training CD dealing with this topic, developing an effective SOW. This medium overcomes all of the problems associated with instructor-led sessions or web casts as it can be taken “on-demand” , anytime, anywhere so long as you have access to a pc or your network. Instructor-led Sessions 1. Management Concepts Writing Performance Work Statements 3 days $615 Both In-house and scheduled in major cities http://www.managementconcepts.com/scripts/mcicoursepage.asp?MCICourse=107905 Course Objectives: After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: • Discuss the policies and procedures governing the use of performance work statements (PWS) • Describe the statement of objectives (SOO) approach to describing the requirement • Explain considerations for development of a PWS in response to a SOO • Use a systems approach called job analysis to develop the PWS • Write the PWS and quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) • Discuss performance-based considerations for evaluation of offers and award and administration of the contract Major Topics: • Contracting for Services — An Overview • Basic Policies and Principles • Defining the Need • Preparing the PWS • Writing the QASP • Another Approach — Statement of Objectives • Post Performance Work Statement Considerations 2. Performance-Based Statement of Work 2 days For employees only In-house https://mis.doe.gov/ess/training_catalog_detail.cfm?course_num=000543&skey=none Course Description: The purpose of this workshop will be to work on the new technical support services RFP statement of work. An instructor from Atlantic Management Center, Inc. will facilitate this workshop to help the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, and Performance Monitors for the new contract develop performance objectives, performance measures, and expectations for the new technical support services RFP statement of work. Course Objective: Develop performance objectives, performance measures, and expectations for the new technical support services RFP statement of work. Course Audience: Contracting Officer's Representatives and Performance Monitors for the technical support services contract. 3. ESI International Writing Statements of Work: The Heart of Any Contract 3 days $1945 Public sessions in major cities on a scheduled basis http://www.esi-intl.com/register/course.asp?coursecode=PMC-CWN Course Topics 1. The Basics of SOWs in Business 2. The Purpose of the SOW 3. An SOW’s Concept Development 4. The Use of a Requirements Definition 5. Creating the Narrative 6. Quality Assurance Through the Use of an SOW Master Checklist 7. Standard Tools Used for Preparing Quality SOWs 8. Long-Term issues for Quality SOWs 4. Writing Contracts & Statements of Work for Projects 1-day $465 http://www.cpd.ogi.edu/coursespecific.asp?pam=1729 Course Outline Basic Principles Seven common types of contracts The contracting life cycle Roles and responsibilities of those involved in the contracting process Writing a statement of work Managing contracts and statements of work Contract closeout 5. Calyptus Consulting Group Statements of Work and Specifications 1 day In-house http://www.training-classes.com/course_hierarchy/courses/5084_Performance-Based_Contracting.php This 1-day Statements of Work & Specifications program provides participants with the tools to create cogent, complete and well-organized statements of work. The program reviews the functions of the statement of work, its link to performance management, and the benefits realized by a specific and well-crafted document. Guidelines are given for writing a good statement of work and examples provided to illustrate the do’s and don’ts. The program also discusses how to handle changes to SOW’s to adapt to the evolving needs of the organization. We will focus on formatting, planning, organizing and writing effective SOWs. Examples of poor and excellent documents will be examined. Using generally recognized standards, the subject of how to develop a description of the product or service will be covered. 6. Compliance Automation, Inc. Performance-Based Statement of Work Seminar (S20008) 2 days In-house to NASA and Air Force Your Seminar Experience Will Cover Part 1: Background and overview of acquisitions Part 2: Definitions of PBC and difference between PBC and LOE Part 3: Perform analysis for PBC work Part 4: Develop requirements from analysis and develop incentives and evaluation criteria. Part 5: Exchange requirements among teams and evaluate from a "bidder’s" viewpoint Part 6: Reassess evaluation criteria and incentive measurements Part 7: Discussion with participants on implementing PBC 7. Educorp Statement of Work Development 4 or 8 hours In-house Course Description: This Statement of Work (SOW) training course will provide the knowledge, skills and templates necessary to develop content for well-organized, comprehensive and professional SOW documents. (Pre-training critique of one of your current SOWs will be performed.) Topics * Standardizing the Statement of Work Development Process * How to Avoid “Gaps” Between What You Expect from the Supplier and What the Supplier Expects to Provide) * How to Ensure Necessary Business, Legal, and HR Requirements (Before and After Negotiations) are Incorporated into your SOW * 10 Reasons Why You Should Not to Use a Supplier’s Document as Your SOW This course is offered by Gail Knight (knightglo716@msn.com) who also provides SOW training for Maricopa County (AZ) Community Colleges. CD-based Training 1. The Institute@RFPMentor.com How to develop an effective statement of work: A Best Practices Training CD by Terry Davenport Single-User license: $195 Site/network license: $500 TO $7,500 www.rfpmentor.com/institute.html This one hour course is shipped on a CD containing a voice-over PowerPoint presentation, example worksheets for SOW development, and a 60-page Resource Manual (filled with useful information, guidance and examples). It can be installed on your pc, network, or web site with no public access. This CD is collaboration between Michael Asner, the publisher of The RFP Report, and Public Procurement Services of Santa Fe, NM. Training Module Agenda * Workshop Objectives * Important Definitions * Market Research * Do’s and Don’ts * Purpose/Objectives * Scope of Solicitation * Invitation for Bid Specifications * RFP Specifications * Contract Scope of Work * Contract Protections * Examples * Questions to Guide SOW Development * How to Use Example Directives This course will take the mystery and misery out of the statement of work development process. It has been designed for use by both buyers and program/user personnel. The viewer will learn: * The components of an effective statement of work. * Why the components are necessary. * Preparation and writing tips for each component. * How to write for clarity and completeness with examples. * The how and why of contractual protections. * How to improve the quality and timeliness of statement of work preparation. * How to improve collaboration between the buyer and the program personnel who will use the desired product or services. The full report is 23 pages long. It is contained in Issue 50 of The RFP Report. It can be viewed and downloaded from our website: Click on RFP Report. ********************************************************************* *****ANNOUNCING A NEW INTERACTIVE WEBCAST***** How To Develop An Effective Statement Of Work: A Best Practices Webcast by Terry Davenport http://www.rfpmentor.com/webcast.html A live, 90 minute, interactive web conference that you can join from your office on Thursday, November 17th, 2005 Many procurements fail, are unnecessarily complex, or result in complaints and litigation because the Statement of Work was deficient. Terry Davenport knows the key to success is simple: prepare a SOW that balances functionality with budgetary requirements, policy restrictions and the legal issues. This seminar will show you the step-by-step process that leads to an effective statement of work. Our Agenda By the end of the seminar, you will have learned a step-by-step process for creating an effective statement of work. This process is described and illustrated with examples from Terry’s 60-page Resource Guide. (Each participant gets a copy of the Resource Guide.) * Workshop Objectives * Important Definitions * Market Research * Do’s and Don’ts * Purpose/Objectives * Scope of Solicitation * Invitation for Bid Specifications * RFP Specifications * Contract Scope of Work * Contract Protections * Examples * Questions to Guide SOW Development * How to Use Example Directives Participants (buyers and program personnel) will gain an understanding of the components of the SOW for various types of solicitations as well as useful guidance and writing tips for each. The 60-page Resource Guide is a handy reference tool. This course will take the mystery and misery out of the statement of work development process. It has been designed for use by both buyers and program/user personnel. |
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