70-S0003-26-CP420_FY 2026 Sole Source Justification_ Cal Ripken Sr Foundation.pdf.PDF
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- Solicitation number
- 70-S0003-26-CP420
- Issued by
- New Mexico
About this file
This is a Sole Source Justification document submitted by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) to Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) requesting procurement authorization to expand STEM Center programs across eligible public school districts in New Mexico. The CRSF STEM Center is a comprehensive, turnkey program that includes assessment and planning coordination with school leadership, procurement and delivery of STEM equipment and technology, hands-on project-based learning resources, professional development and educator training, program implementation with ongoing engagement, impact collection, and long-term sustainability strategies. Previous sole source procurement authorizations have been granted for implementation with Hobbs Municipal Schools and Gallup McKinley County Schools, recognizing the unique and integrated nature of the program model. The current authorization request seeks to extend this same sole source procurement structure to additional public school districts across New Mexico through a coordinated partnership between CRSF, CNM (serving as fiscal and administrative partner), participating school districts, the State of New Mexico, and CRSF-led private business partners.
The justification emphasizes that CRSF's value proposition lies in its ability to coordinate all program components as a single, cost-effective model, distinguishing it from vendors offering individual STEM products, training, or resources in isolation. The expanded initiative will leverage State of New Mexico legislative funding administered through CNM partnership alongside private funding secured through CRSF-led business and community partnerships to increase access to high-quality STEM education and workforce-readiness opportunities. The document was submitted on September 23, 2026, and is subject to applicable State of New Mexico, CNM, Public Education Department, and participating school district procurement requirements. Steve Salem, President & CEO of CRSF, authorized the submission.
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CSFR will provide related in-kind goods and services as deemed sufficient by the college.
1427 Clarkview Road, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21209 * www.ripkenfoundation.org info@ripkenfoundation.org * 410-823-0043
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Central New Mexico Community College
Jessica Spence, FMP
CNM Physical Plant Department
Campus Security Authority
Re: Sole Source Procurement Authorization for Ripken STEM Center Programs Across New Mexico
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) provides this justification in support of sole source procurement authorization to continue expanding and implementing CRSF STEM Center programs in public schools and school districts across New Mexico.
Previous Sole Source Authorization
Sole source procurement authorization has previously been granted to implement the CRSF STEM Center program with Hobbs Municipal Schools and Gallup McKinley County Schools. These authorizations recognized the unique and comprehensive nature of the CRSF STEM Center model and CRSF’s ability to coordinate the products, program development, educator training, implementation, and ongoing support necessary to establish sustainable STEM Centers within public school settings.
Building on those previously authorized projects, CRSF is seeking procurement authorization to work with additional public school districts across New Mexico in partnership with Central New Mexico
Community College (CNM).
This expanded initiative will leverage State of New Mexico legislative funding administered in partnership with CNM, together with private funding secured through CRSF-led business and community partnerships, to increase access to high-quality STEM education and workforce-readiness opportunities for New Mexico students.
Sole Source Justification
The CRSF STEM Center is a comprehensive, turnkey STEM education program developed and implemented by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. It is not simply the purchase of STEM equipment, technology, or classroom materials.
CRSF provides and coordinates the complete program model, including:
• Assessment, planning, and coordination with school and district leadership
• Selection, procurement, delivery, and organization of STEM equipment, technology, products, and instructional resources
• Hands-on, project-based STEM learning resources
• Professional development and training for educators
• Program implementation and ongoing educator engagement
• Impact collection and program support
• Long-term sustainability strategies designed to promote continued utilization and measurable student impact http://www.ripkenfoundation.org/ mailto:info@ripkenfoundation.or
1427 Clarkview Road, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21209 * www.ripkenfoundation.org info@ripkenfoundation.org * 410-823-0043
Unique Program Qualification
CRSF is uniquely positioned to bring these components together through one coordinated, cost-effective program model. While other vendors may offer individual STEM products, training services, or educational resources, those components do not constitute the complete CRSF STEM
Center program.
The program’s value comes from integrating the physical STEM Center, program design, educator professional development, implementation expertise, ongoing engagement, impact support, and a long-term sustainability strategy.
This approach also creates an opportunity to leverage public investment with private business partnerships secured by CRSF, increasing the overall resources available to participating New Mexico schools and extending the impact of State legislative funding.
Procurement Authorization Requested
Based on the previous sole source procurement authorizations for Hobbs Municipal Schools and Gallup-
McKinley County Schools, CRSF respectfully requests authorization to use the same sole source procurement structure to implement CRSF STEM Center programs with additional eligible public school districts across New Mexico.
This authorization would support a coordinated partnership among CRSF, Central New Mexico
Community College, participating New Mexico public school districts, the State of New Mexico, and
CRSF-led private business partners to efficiently deploy available public and private resources and expand sustainable STEM learning opportunities throughout the state.
This justification is provided to Central New Mexico Community College, serving as fiscal and administrative partner for designated State legislative funding, to support the procurement and administration of approved CRSF STEM Center projects, subject to applicable State of New Mexico, CNM, Public Education Department, and participating school district procurement requirements.
Authorized CRSF Representative
Name: _____Steve Salem_______________________
Title: ______President & CEO___________________
Signature: ___________________________________
Date: _________September 23, 2026_______________ http://www.ripkenfoundation.org/ mailto:info@ripkenfoundation.or
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