SOO (Statement Of Objectives)

What is SOO (Statement Of Objectives)?

The Statement of Objectives (SOO) is a government-prepared document used in solicitations, particularly within federal contracting, that outlines the desired results or objectives of a procurement, rather than specifying how the work should be performed. It empowers potential contractors to propose innovative and cost-effective solutions.

Definition

The SOO is a concise document, generally one to three pages in length, that defines the high-level objectives of a project. It stands in contrast to a more prescriptive Performance Work Statement (PWS), which details the specific tasks, deliverables, and performance standards required. The SOO is encouraged by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as a means of promoting competition and innovation. It shifts the focus from government-defined solutions to contractor-developed approaches. This allows contractors to leverage their expertise to achieve the government's desired outcomes most efficiently. The government uses a SOO when it wants the industry to take the lead in defining the best approach to meet a need.

Key Points

• Focus on Outcomes: The SOO emphasizes the desired results and goals, rather than dictating specific methods or approaches.
• Contractor Flexibility: It gives contractors the freedom to propose innovative solutions and leverage their expertise.
• Competition and Innovation: By not prescribing a specific approach, the SOO encourages competition among contractors and fosters innovation.
• Reduced Government Oversight: Since the contractor has more autonomy in how the work is performed, the government's oversight role can be reduced.

Practical Examples

1. Modernizing an IT System: Instead of detailing the specific hardware and software to be used, a SOO might state the objective as "to modernize the agency's IT system to improve data security, reduce operational costs by 20%, and increase system availability to 99.9%."
2. Developing a Training Program: A SOO might outline the objective of "developing a comprehensive training program to equip agency personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to operate the new system effectively." The contractor then proposes the training methods, materials, and schedule.
3. Enhancing Cybersecurity Posture: A SOO might describe the objective of improving the cybersecurity posture of a federal agency and allow the contractor to propose a solution, which might involve implementing new technologies, improving existing processes, and training employees on security best practices.