XL EagleSOO (Statement of Objectives)
SOO stands for Statement of Objectives. A Statement of Objectives, or SOO, is a short document that lists what the government wants to achieve, without saying how to do it. It is used in performance-based buys to invite companies to propose their own solution.
Offerors often respond by writing their own Performance Work Statement, which may become part of the contract if they win. A SOO typically covers the purpose, scope, period and place of performance, background and constraints.
Why it matters to a small contractor
A SOO lets you sell your know-how, but it also puts more writing on your plate. Your proposed PWS needs measurable standards you can actually meet, because if it is accepted you will be held to it.
Example
A SOO for a visitor center says the agency wants clean, safe public spaces during open hours and a building that passes monthly safety walk-throughs. A janitorial firm proposes a PWS with staffing hours, cleaning frequencies and response times for spills.
SOO: common questions
How is a SOO different from a SOW?
A SOW tells you the work to perform. A SOO tells you the goals and asks you to propose the work.
Do I have to write a PWS when the solicitation has a SOO?
Only if the instructions ask for one, which is common. Follow Section L or the response instructions exactly.
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