Questions about the Seven Steps Guide
A31The Seven Steps are as follows: (1) establish the team, (2) describe the problem, (3) examine private-sector and public-sector solutions, (4) develop the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or the Statement of Objectives (SOO), (5) decide how to measure and manage performance, (6) select the right contractor, and (7) manage performance. The Seven Steps provide a framework for understanding performance-based services acquisition--and were conceived with the purpose of educating the greater "acquisition community," including the program managers, program staff, customers, and others whose participation is vital to a successful performance-based acquisition.
back to topQ32 What are the benefits of using the Seven Steps Guide?
A32 The procedures set out in the Guide are a proven approach to awarding performance-based contracts. The steps are logical and easy to understand, each building on the previous, and they provide guidance to agencies that enables them to move forward in this new paradigm. Although the Seven Steps Guide was written to enable and promote performance-based acquisitions (PBA), the processes and methodologies described in the Guide apply to all acquisitions in the current federal environment.
Q33 Who should read the Seven Steps Guide?
A33 Everyone involved in or affected by a performance-based acquisition (such as program, technical, and management personnel and all contracting officers and specialists). Furthermore, the guide is an excellent reference for private industry so that when the government applies Seven Steps techniques, the offerors can understand how the "new" processes work.
Q34 Is this a government-wide guide?
A34Yes. By memo on September 7, 2004, OFPP adopted the Seven Steps Guide as the "official" guide on this topic. Since both the performance work statement (PWS) approach and the statement of objectives (SOO) approach are described, any agency--civilian, Defense, or independent--will find helpful information in the Guide.
Q35 Is use of the Seven Steps Guide mandatory?
A35No, but it is the guidance document approved by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. Other guidance exists, such as the December 2000 DoD Guide to Performance-Based Acquisition and the PBA Toolkit on the DAU.mil web site.
Q36 Who developed and who manages the Seven Steps Guide?
A36In 2001, the Department of Commerce established an interagency team to write a comprehensive and clear guide to help agencies meet their performance-based contracting goals set out by the Procurement Executives' Council. Agencies represented on the team were Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, GSA, and Treasury; the team was supported by Acquisition Solutions®, Inc., and with their help, the guide was placed on the Internet. The General Services Administration took responsibility for the project in 2003, and they continue to manage the Seven Steps web site. OFPP is leading a broader-based interagency team in managing the content of the Seven Steps Steps guide, along with working towards meeting the 2006 SARA Panel recommendations. Acquisition Solutions® continues to provide support.
Q37 Can I download the Seven Steps website?
A37You can download the top two levels of the Seven Steps in an executive summary by clicking here. Individual web pages can be copied and printed and documents can be downloaded and printed. There is no capability to download or print the entire site in a single step due to its large volume.
Q38 Is this an online course? Where's the test?
A38Seven Steps is an online guide, not an online training course. There is no test (developed by the Seven Steps team, that is).
Q39 Where can I find samples and examples?
A39The Seven Steps team has vetted (i.e., reviewed for quality) samples and examples, some with helpful hints, and has included them in the Seven Steps Library. Click on the link to vetted samples on the front page of the guide. We have also identified other websites with significant collections of samples and examples that you can explore. They are in the Links Library.
Q40 What kinds of questions will be answered if I use the "Ask the Expert" feature on the Seven Steps web site?
A40Expect the following types of information to be provided: Answers to questions about the web site and all of its features and functions; location of sample documents and links to sample documents; answers to questions regarding the application and use of performance-based acquisition methods; and general information on the use of incentives, contract types, and performance measures and metrics. Answers provided are meant to be informational only. If your question involves legal issues, you may wish to consult an attorney for legal advice based on your particular situation.
