The National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded a $25,000 firm fixed-price purchase order to Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) on February 28, 2024, for Gold Level Sponsorship of the 2024 MANRRS Training Conference and Career Expo held in Atlanta, Georgia. The sponsorship supports MANRRS' national conference scheduled for March 20-24, 2024, which convenes representatives from government, industry, academia, and non-profits to connect with students and professionals in food, agriculture, and related scientific fields. This award was made without a set-aside designation, indicating competitive selection based on merit and the awardee's specialized expertise in minority workforce development and diversity initiatives.
MANRRS is a national non-profit organization with a mission to promote inclusion and advancement of underrepresented minorities in agriculture and related sciences. The organization has established a strong track record with federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior, providing conference sponsorships, internship recruitment services, and professional development programs. The contract aligns with NIFA's broader mandate to support agricultural research, education, and extension activities while advancing workforce diversity in the food and agriculture sector.