Education, Training, Employment & Social Svcs R&D Svcs; Social Svcs R&D; R&D Facilities & Maj Equip

The Product and Service Code (PSC) AF35 encompasses Research and Development (R&D) services in education, training, employment, and social services. This category focuses on scientific and technological advancements related to social service domains, including research facilities, major equipment, and specialized studies. The PSC covers a wide range of analytical, consultative, and technical support services aimed at improving understanding and capabilities in social service-related fields.

Federal Contract Awards under this PSC demonstrate diverse applications, with contract values ranging from $12,587 to $21,136,169. Key awards include executive search services for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, labor study and office space optimization for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and specialized technical support for NASA projects. Frequently awarded entities include LMI Consulting, Academic Search Inc., and Chemonics International. Most contracts are firm fixed-price purchase orders or definitive contracts, predominantly awarded by civilian agencies like NASA, USAID, and the Shared Services Center. Set-asides vary, with some contracts designated for small businesses and others using full and open competition.

The most recent federal contract opportunity is a sole-source contract from NASA's Shared Services Center for developing an AI Helio Foundation Model to improve space weather forecasting. The opportunity, targeting Georgia State University, seeks to create advanced machine learning models for solar flare detection. The project is structured for a period of performance from August 2024 to February 2026, with a focus on research and science support, data labeling, benchmark creation, and model validation. This opportunity represents a highly specialized, technology-driven approach to scientific research and development within the social services and scientific domains.