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 MO-327 CHG 94-01
CHAPTER 3 SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
3-100
Before any invitation for bids or request for proposals can be
used or any contract entered into, it is necessary to define the
service or product that is to be the subject of the invitation,
or contract. The definitive or descriptive words identifying the
subject matter are called specifications or the work statement.
The specifications commonly are referred to as the performance
work statement (PWS).
The PWS, together with the related performance requirements
summary (PRS), is the very heart of any procurement. Whether a
contract will be successfully performed is quite often determined
not at the time the contract is negotiated or the award is made,
but rather at the time the specifications are written. The need
for clarity and preciseness of expression is perhaps greater in
contracts than in any other form of communication. The extent to
which clarity is or is not accomplished will have a direct
bearing on the ultimate success of the contract
As outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR),
specifications may be characterized as:
(a) Performance Specifications. Performance specifications
express work requirements in terms of the characteristics of the
end product or the service is to be achieved are left to the
contractor's discretion. For example, in a refuse disposal
contract we would specify that certain containers were to be
emptied with a certain frequency, and we would not specify the
type of refuse collection equipment to be used by the contractor.
(b) Functional Specification. A functional specification
defines the essential-functions to be performed to meet a
particular need. This type of specification is typically
applicable to specifications for equipment. For example, rather
than specifying the use of a brand name refuse compactor, the
functional characteristics of the equipment, such as its
capability to compact a fixed amount of refuse in a certain time,
are specified; The use of functional specifications promotes
competition among suppliers.
(c) Design Specifications. Design specifications spell out
in detail the equipment, materials, and methods which are to be
used in performing the service. When specification of this type
are employed, the contractor, while responsible for compliance
with the specifications, is not responsible if the goods or
services furnished are unsatisfactory.
Specification for facility support contracts are prepared, to the
maximum extent possible, as performance specifications in
accordance with the policies promulgated by the FAR and by
The pure form of any particular type of
NAVFACENGCOM.
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