A simple, non-equilibrium model is used to evaluate the likely DC performance of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors. It is shown that, by appropriate work function engineering of the source, drain and gate contacts to the device, the following desirable properties should be realizable: a sub-threshold slope close to the thermionic limit: a conductance close to the interfacial limit; an ON/OFF ratio of around 10(3). ON current and transconductance close to the low-quantum-capacitance limit.