atch (2) afrl scholars 2013 sow v7.doc

Statement of Work for

AFRL Scholars Program 09 August 2012

1.0 Background: Each year, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directorates provide internships for hundreds of high school and college students interested in science, engineering and other related academic specialties. The primary purpose of this program is to encourage interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to help meet long-term national defense needs of the United States for personnel proficient in STEM areas, specifically: (1) to encourage high school students to pursue education in STEM related disciplines; (2) to provide hands-on laboratory research experience for undergraduate and graduate level students who are pursuing a STEM type degree; and (3) to identify potential future AFRL scientists and engineers.

2.0 Objective: The objective of this effort is for the Recipient to assist AFRL in administering the AFRL Scholars Program.

3.0 Recipient Responsibilities:

3.1 Arrange for high school, college undergraduate, and graduate students to be provided summer internships to conduct research and development at multiple AFRL locations across the country to include but not limited to:

3.1.1 Scholars will be selected from applicants that have responded to the AFRL Scholars Program announcement(s). Scholars will be selected based on their academic status and record, the quality of their response to AFRL research topics, letters of recommendation (if any), and on recommendations provided by AFRL scientists and engineers. Particular emphasis will be placed on providing internships to well-qualified female and underrepresented minority applicants. The minimum age for the AFRL Scholars Program is 16.

3.1.2 Scholars shall receive weekly stipends based on the standard GS-schedule for the Rest of the United States (RUS) (Office of Personnel Management - http://www.opm.gov/oca/) pay as follows:

*Education Level shall be based on credits earned during the Spring semester

3.1.2.1 If specified in the Task Order, the requesting agency may provide reimbursement for travel expenses, lodging and meals up to the maximum Government authorized per diem amounts (GSA Per Diem Rates - http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287).

3.1.3 All Scholars must work a minimum of 8 weeks but not more than 18 weeks, within the period 01 May through 30 September. Specific dates for scholar assignments shall be coordinated with each AFRL Technical point of contact established in each respective Task Order.

3.2 Recipient shall be responsible for administration of the AFRL Scholars Program to include various hiring tasks associated with the selection and placement of individual Scholars, coordinating access to various facilities, and the processing of background clearance documents as needed, etc. Site-specific details to be identified in each respective task order.

3.3 In addition to the requirements of Article 7.011 “Performance Reports – Annual”, Recipient shall arrange for collection and reporting of data to document the scholars’ research contributions and to assist AFRL in assessing the effectiveness of its Scholars programs. The data shall include:

· Individual scholar profiles including a one or two line description of their project

· Presentations by each scholar or team summarizing their research project

· Brief technical reports from each scholar summarizing their research project

· Numbers and diversity of scholars

· Scholar assessment of their internship and any recommendations for improvements

· Mentor evaluations of scholar quality and productivity

· Other site-specific reports as identified in each respective task order

4.0 Requesting Agency (AFRL) Responsibilities:

4.1 Provide site-specific management for the AFRL Scholars program.

4.2 Ensure the availability and timely allocation of funding to the Recipient.

4.3 Review scholar applications and provide recommendations for hiring to the Recipient.

4.4 Assign mentors for each scholar.

4.5 Provide on-site working space at the various worksites and basic safety, security, and IT accessories (computers, phones, etc.) and access to AFRL’s computer network.

4.6 Provide access to AFRL research and testing facilities and equipment in support of scholar research.

4.7 Other site-specific support as identified in each respective task order.

NOFO-13-RVK-01

Attachment 2