A federal acquisition approach that defines contract requirements in terms of measurable performance outcomes instead of prescribing the specific processes or methods the contractor must use. Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA) emphasizes clearly defined objectives, measurable performance standards, quality assurance methods, and appropriate incentives that reward successful performance. PBA typically uses a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Objectives (SOO) to describe the government’s desired results, allowing contractors greater flexibility to propose innovative and cost-effective solutions while remaining accountable for meeting established performance requirements.
Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA)
A federal acquisition approach defining requirements as measurable outcomes rather than prescribed methods, using a PWS or SOO.
Useful Links
Related articles
This session covers how to run proposal review gates that consistently strengthen drafts through structured feedback and resolution tracking.
This session covers how to run proposal review gates that consistently strengthen drafts through structured feedback and resolution tracking.
Stage Gates, now live in VisibleThread's proposal management software, put a checkpoint at every stage boundary on your Tracked Opportunities and Proposals boards. Before a card can move forward, the person moving it has to answer the questions your team defined for that transition. The answers save against the card, permanently.
Related Glossary Terms
The official compilation of permanent U.S. federal laws, providing the statutory basis for many contracting requirements.
A global classification system used to categorize products and services for procurement and spend analysis.
A unique 12-character identifier assigned via SAM.gov to organizations doing business with the federal government, replacing the DUNS number.
See how VisibleThread transforms
t your RFP process.
t your RFP process.