Performance-Based Service Acquisition (PBSA) study and graduate level course material

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to provide materials and information in the form of lessons that will make up a teachable course for graduate students of the Naval Post Graduate School. In addition, this research will address the current Department of Defense contracting policy, guidance, regulations and lessons learn. Performance-based Service Acquisition (PBSA) within the Department of Defense at both other government agencies, as well as commercial practices at progressive businesses are examined as they relate to PBSA. It is important to understand that the PBSA contract form involves acquisition strategies, methods, and techniques that define and communicate measurable performance expectations in terms of outcomes or results as opposed to directing performance methods, processes, systems or broad categories of work activity. To the maximum extent possible, the process should describe the work objectives in terms of what is to be the required output rather than how the work is to be accomplished and placing the responsibility for that accomplishment on the contractor. This document contains best practices that have proven useful for drafting statements of work, solicitations, and quality assurance plans, and in awarding and administering performance-based service acquisitions. This document is not intended to be mandatory regulatory guidance, such manuals already exist, but rather assistance to agencies and students in implementing performance-based service acquisition more fully throughout DOD.