[BroadHopper]

SOW is Statement of Work. The specifics of when and what need to be done. The actual contract that they must follow to the letter.
This is different than a RFQ (Request for Quote). You can request the contractor to give you a price on what they will do. It does not follow what you actually want done.

I was building an eco home with specific requiremnts for 5 star energy rating. The house was built to 2010 RBC (residential building code). At the time the town's building code was to 2004 RBC. Getting the building inspector to agree with the latest codes was another matter.