The Statement of Objectives (SOO) is a government-developed document that identifies the broad, basic, top-level objectives of an acquisition/procurement and is used as a focusing tool for both the Government and potential contractors.  In place of a government-written Performance Work Statement (PWS), a solicitation will include an SOO as part of a Request for Proposal (RFP) in a competitive source selection environment. In this method, the Statements of Work (SOW) and performance metrics are included in the contractors’ proposals (based on their proposed solutions and the objectives in the SOO), allowing for a broader range of solutions.  The Statement of Objectives is not a legally binding document.

Definition: A Statement of Objectives (SOO) is a Government document that details the overall high-level objectives of a task or program in a solicitation.

Purpose of the Statement of Objectives (SOO)

The purpose of an SOO is to supplement a requirements document (ICD, CDD, Performance Work Statement (PWS) or other performance-based Government requirements document) and detail the overall high-level objectives of a task or program to potential contractors in a solicitation. It allows prospective offerors to create affordable solutions and suggest creative substitutes that achieve the specified objectives. [1]

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Development

An SOO is developed to be compatible with the Initial Capabilities Document (ICD), programmatic direction from the Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM), Acquisition Strategy and Acquisition Plan; technical requirements from system specifications, and the draft Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and dictionary. It is developed after performing a risk assessment that highlights the high and moderate risks in the areas of business, programmatic, and technical identified on the program against the requirement document. The offeror then uses the SOO to develop the Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW), the Contract Work Breakdown Structure (CWBS), the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and other documents supporting and defining the contractor’s proposed effort. [1]

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Content

SOO content should be tailored to the type and phase of the program.  The key is to keep the SOO clear and concise and provide potential offerors with enough information and detail to structure a sound program designed to be executable and satisfy Government objectives.  There is no length requirement. As a part of the RFP or solicitation, the SOO has value to both the industry and the government. [1]

Statement of Objectives (SOO) FAR Content

According to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.602(c); The SOO shall, at a minimum, include-

1. Purpose;
2. Scope of mission;
3. Period and place of performance;
4. Background;
5. Performance objectives (i.e., required results); and
6. Any operating constraints.

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Development Steps:

The following are steps that are an integral part of developing the SOO: [1]

• Step 1: Market Research: Conduct market research to determine whether commercial items or non-developmental items are available to meet program requirements.
• Step 2: Requirements Review: Review the requirements documents that authorize the program, various DoD, services, joint services requirements documents for program management, and acquisition management impacts to the program.
• Step 3: Develop References:  Prepare a bibliography citing the specific portions of all applicable governing instructions, directives, specifications, and standards with which the program must comply.
• Step 4: Develop Objectives:  Develop the program objectives by completing a risk assessment highlighting the high and moderate risks in the areas of business, programmatic, and technical identified on the program based on the requirements document requirements.
• Step 5: Write First Draft:  Draft the Statement of Objectives for review

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Notional Format:

1. Overall Program Objectives
   • Multi-Phased Program
   • One Program, Multi-Contractor
   • One Phase Contract
2. Contract Objectives
   • Objectives in paragraph 2.0 are traceable to level 0 WBS elements.
   • For multi-phase programs, describe objectives for each phase in a format similar to an indentured list (clearly indicate which phases are part of the anticipated contract and any phases that will involve separate contracts).
3. Program Management Objectives
   • The management objectives are to allow the offeror the maximum flexibility to innovatively manage the projected schedule, performance, risks, warranties, subcontracts, and data to provide the goods or services that satisfy the government’s performance requirements.  This is tailored to meet the specific program needs.
4. Engineering Objectives
   • Software
   • Systems Engineering Process
5. Logistics Objectives

Statement of Objective (SOO) vs. the Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.602(c) Offerors use the SOO to develop the Performance Work Statement (PWS); however, the SOO does not become part of the contract. The SOO is a Government prepared document that provides the basic, high-level objectives of the acquisition. It is provided in the solicitation in lieu of a government-written PWS. In this approach, the contractors’ proposals contain their statements of work and performance metrics and measures (which are based on their proposed solutions).

Statement of Objective (SOO) Misunderstandings

There are several misunderstandings associated with SOO that are addressed below:

• The SOO must be Two Pages in Length: There is no predetermined length for the SOO.  It should be a concise, cogent document of appropriate length.
• The SOO replaces the Statement of Work (SOW) in solicitations: The SOO is not a replacement for the SOW.  The documents are different in scope and nature.
• There must be a SOO and SOW in every solicitation: Some have thought that every solicitation must have both a SOO and a government SOW, not so.  There are situations where a SOO should be used, such as, on a service contract where a performance work statement is being used.
• A SOO is not appropriate for a sole source or service contract: The SOO product may not be supplied in every sole source or service contract, but the SOO process is always appropriate.

AcqNotes Tutorial

AcqTips:

• The SOO should not address each WBS element, but each WBS element should be traceable to something in the SOO.
• Remember, a SOO is NOT a Statement of Work (SOW); it results from the identification of risks based on the requirements document.
• See Examples of Software SOO

AcqLinks and References:

• [1] Guide: Statement of Objectives Information Guide
• Mil-HDBK 245D “Handbook for the Preparation of Statement of Work” – 1996

Updated: 2/13/2024

Rank: G3.5