[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 48, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 48CFR35.005]

[Page 702-703]
 
            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
 
                CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION
 
PART 35_RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  35.005  Work statement.

    (a) A clear and complete work statement concerning the area of 
exploration (for basic research) or the end objectives (for development 
and applied research) is essential. The work statement should allow 
contractors freedom to exercise innovation and creativity. Work 
statements must be individually tailored by technical and contracting 
personnel to attain the desired degree of flexibility for contractor 
creativity and the objectives of the R&D.
    (b) In basic research the emphasis is on achieving specified 
objectives and knowledge rather than on achieving predetermined end 
results prescribed in a statement of specific performance 
characteristics. This emphasis applies particularly during the early or 
conceptual phases of the R&D effort.
    (c) In reviewing work statements, contracting officers should ensure 
that language suitable for a level-of-effort approach, which requires 
the furnishing of technical effort and a report on the results, is not 
intermingled with language suitable for a task-completion approach, 
which often requires the development of a tangible end item designed to 
achieve specific performance characteristics. The wording of the work 
statement should also be consistent with the type and form of contract 
to be negotiated (see 16.207 and 16.306(d)). For example, the work 
statement for a cost-reimbursement contract promising the contractor's 
best efforts for a fixed term would be phrased differently than a work 
statement for a cost-reimbursement completion contract promising the 
contractor's best efforts for a defined task. Differences between work 
statements for fixed-price contracts and cost-reimbursement contracts 
should be even clearer.
    (d) In preparing work statements, technical and contracting 
personnel shall consider and, as appropriate, provide in the 
solicitation--
    (1) A statement of the area of exploration, tasks to be performed, 
and objectives of the research or development effort;
    (2) Background information helpful to a clear understanding of the 
objective or requirement (e.g., any known

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phenomena, techniques, methodology, or results of related work);
    (3) Information on factors such as personnel, environment, and 
interfaces that may constrain the results of the effort;
    (4) Reporting requirements and information on any additional items 
that the contractor is required to furnish (at specified intervals) as 
the work progresses;
    (5) The type and form of contract contemplated by the Government 
and, for level-of-effort work statements, an estimate of applicable 
professional and technical effort involved; and
    (6) Any other considerations peculiar to the work to be performed; 
for example, any design-to-cost requirements.