The Department of the Army awarded Bismarck State College a $97,096.88 firm fixed-price purchase order on July 20, 2025, to plan and deliver a four-day Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) summer camp for military youth ages 8-15 in Bismarck, North Dakota. The contract, which carries an ultimate completion date of July 18, 2029, represents a five-year engagement spanning 2025-2029 to provide hands-on educational instruction and youth enrichment programming for approximately 40 participants annually. The camp curriculum encompasses interactive experiences in robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, 3D printing, and cyber-technology, with instruction tailored to two age cohorts (8-11 and 12-15 years old). Bismarck State College is responsible for securing and managing the camp facility, lodging, dining, materials, and overall logistics, while the North Dakota Army National Guard provides supplemental support through counselors, nursing services, and art instruction.
The contract was awarded without a set-aside designation through an unrestricted purchase order solicitation posted by the North Dakota Army National Guard on May 8, 2025. Bismarck State College, a polytechnic institution within the North Dakota University System, was selected as the responsible offeror based on technical capability and lowest total price evaluation criteria. The college's selection reflects its established experience in workforce development, technical education, and specialized training programs for federal agencies, as well as its prior federal contract work in vocational training and STEM-focused educational initiatives.