Fillable Printable Statement of Work Elements Template

Statement of Work Elements Template

Elements of a Statement of Work

STATEMENT OF WORK

The statement of work (SOW) should describe the framework within which a contractor

(the independent or external evaluator) is expected to operate — that is, the work to be

performed and/or the results to be achieved. Not all SOWs will follow the same pattern.

However, a well structured SOW normally contains the following elements:

I. Introduction/Background

a. Identifies the need for the particular work, cites the contract’s goals,

describes the location of the work, and identifies how the contract work

fits into the project/program’s mission and goals.

II. Objectives

a. The objectives are well-defined statements of the results to be achieved in

order for the overall mission of the work to be accomplished. They should

be quantifiable criteria that must be met for the work to be considered

successful.

III. Scope

a. Gives a brief description of what the scope of work does and does not

cover. It should be limited to what is necessary to convey the intent of the

contract.

b. It may include an outline of the extent of the work, a brief overview of the

steps of the project, a brief description of the methodology to be used, and

a description of the location of the work.

IV. Task to be Completed

a. Tasks are activities and milestones that should be completed to

accomplish the contract objectives. The tasks may be structured by

milestones, deliverables, or processes.

b. The following may be part of this section:

i. A clear delineation of responsibilities

ii. A detailed description of each work element

iii. The approach or methodology

Elements of a Statement of Work

iv. Timelines and deliverable requirements with each task description

v. Support that is required in terms of equipment, staffing, computers,

software, or subcontractors, as applicable

vi. A clear description of any specific equipment or software

compatibility requirements

vii. Identification of instruments (e.g. surveys, questionnaires) that will

be used and/or documentation that must be followed or used as

guidelines

viii. Clear instruction of contract phasing or sequencing, if necessary

V. Time Frame and Deliverables

a. Specifies time frames as they apply to completion of tasks, milestones,

and/or completion of the entire contract. Should state what the contractor

is responsible for delivering during the course of the work and at the end

of the project, as applicable.

b. Deliverables should:

i. Be specific

ii. Have clear instructions regarding their submission

iii. Clearly define the manner in which the PI will determine if they are

acceptable

VI. Associated Costs

a. Specifies costs associated with all tasks to be performed. This may

include rates (hourly/flat) and fees (e.g. for travel, materials & supplies,

and miscellaneous expenses).

VII. Signatures from Involved Parties

a. Should include signatures from the PI and the contractor, along with

their titles/positions and date.