Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) require that federal agencies use performa
ID: 434002 • Letter: F
Question
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) require that federal agencies use performance-based contracting to the maximum extent possible for service contracts, including contracts for the acquisition of IT services. Performance-based contracts rely on a performance work statements (PWS). However, a prominent organization of former federal government acquisition officials argues that the PWS works well with short-term, relatively simple service contracts, but "it is unrealistic to ask agencies to specify services at time of contract award in clear, specific, objective, and measurable terms when future needs are not fully known or understood, requirements and priorities are expected to change during performance, and the circumstances and conditions of performance are not reliably foreseeable." Your Question/Task: If you agree with this group's position, explain why you believe the group is correct in contending that the PWS is not suitable for long-term, complex IT service contracts. If you disagree with this group's position, explain why you believe the group is not correct and why a PWS is suitable for long-term, complex IT service contracts.
Explanation / Answer
I agree with the position that PWS is not suitable for long-term, complex IT service contracts as the PWS only gives the solution for a short sighted issue or problem which can be solved by the services by these agencies. PWS generally includes the scope, relevant solutions to an issue, actions that would be done to resolve these concerns or issue, quality control and assurance etc.
The plan therefore also works for simple work and short term goal. However with respect to the future challenges and new type of work, the PWS system generally fails because it finds it hard to fulfill its obligation as the future challenges need more dynamic approach and far sighted objected and not just the temporary issue.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.