The vendor is required to provide outreach support services is to establish and strengthen networks that connect the U.S. Department and its Government Partners with academia, industry, and other government agencies
- These networks aim to promote the exchange of scientific ideas, the generation of knowledge, and the development of a skilled research and engineering workforce through the implementation of K-12 and university focused science and technology education and outreach initiatives.
- Administration and Programmatic support services to broaden and deepen the pool of scientific and technical talent in support of the Defense Industry Base. The contractor shall continuously monitor the program, assess the effectiveness, and efficiency of methods employed and inform the Government of opportunities to improve the program.
- The contractor shall develop and implement cohesive, coordinated, and sustainable outreach strategies and supporting infrastructure focused on science and engineering education across the DoD portfolio to attract eligible and highly qualified applicants. The contractor shall market and promote the DoD portfolio to attract the highest qualified prospective applicants via contractor developed website. The outreach effort shall include the design and distribution of advertising and application materials and an appropriate method to reach audiences from which qualified applicants will be drawn. The outreach effort shall be wide ranging, national in scope and comparable to other nationally renowned K-12 and university level science and technology programs. The contractor shall identify relevant media for communicating the program.
- The contractor shall be responsible for managing, developing, distributing, receiving, logging, processing, sorting, and tracking application materials through secure data systems. Additionally, the contractor shall oversee and coordinate the application process, including distributing informational announcements, application forms, and related documentation necessary for evaluation and progress tracking. Applications shall be collected and organized for review and selection by designated technical panels. The database shall be maintained and updated promptly to ensure that demographic lists, alphabetical listings, and other relevant data are readily accessible. Furthermore, the contractor will provide demographic and other analytical reports on applicants or selected individuals as requested by the sponsoring agencies.
- The contractor shall verify that all eligibility criteria have been satisfied by the applicant prior to proceeding with the evaluation process. Each application should be assessed based on all relevant evidence of merit, including but not limited to Curriculum Vita, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, undergraduate transcripts, personal statements, and reference evaluation forms. Incomplete applications or those that do not meet the established minimum eligibility requirements should be excluded from review by the evaluation panel.
- The contractor shall manage and develop a logical recording system to track and administer payments of stipends, travel-related expenses, and academic expenses in accordance with internal written policy and procedures. Furthermore, upon selection of the award recipients, the contractor shall establish administrative files for each new participant. Each new participant's information will be entered into the administrative database. Currently, this outreach program provides stipends and participant allowances. The DoD shall determine annual stipends for each participant type prior to distribution of applications. Stipends are paid bi-weekly directly to participants. The contractor shall implement an electronic direct deposit system to effectively distribute stipends, travel related expenses, and academic fees even during peak payment periods. Stipend payments shall be electronically transferred directly to each participant's financial institution on a bi-weekly basis.
- The Contractor shall compile and maintain a database containing past and present applicants and participants. Past applicant and participant information will be in possession of the government and will be held strictly confidential as required by the DFARS for Personal Identifiable Information (PII).
- The Contractor shall develop a website that describes the program, provides information about technical areas of interest to participating laboratories, DoD programs and activities, and a portal for submitting applications to the Program. The website shall include an application form, a telephone number, an e-mail address for questions to be answered by the Contractor, as well as opening and closing dates for each respective opportunity. The DoD Program officers shall have access to applications for evaluation and selection processes. The Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) briefings prior to website release and prior to any required website updates. The Contractor shall ensure that the website maintains a security certificate (SSL).
The website shall initially contain the following information:
1. Program description;
2. List of participating labs;
3. Contact information for the lab coordinators;
4. A link to the DEVCOM-ARL website and participating laboratories and DoD activities; and
5. An online application process.
- Set Aside: SBA Certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program
- Contract Period/Term: 5years
