2024 National Society of Black Physicists and National Hispanic Physicists Joint Conference

SAM ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT ACTION CODE: SPECIAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: 2024 National Society of Black Physicists and National Hispanic Physicists Joint Conference

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB109000-24-02963

RESPONSE DATE: 09/09/2024

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with National Society of Black Physicists and National Hispanic Physicists, located in Arlington, VA to provide sponsorship of the 2024 National Society of Black Physicists and National Hispanic Physicists Joint Conference. 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology International and Academic Affairs Office is committed to fostering partnerships that advance diversity and excellence in scientific research and education by seeking to increase visibility, generating interest, and establishing connections within the African American and Hispanic physics community. Sponsoring the National Society of Black Physicists and National Hispanic Physicists Joint Conference (2024 NSBP-NSHP), a premier event promoting growth, development, and advancement of the African American and Hispanic Physics community, aligns with these objectives by providing a platform to engage with key stakeholders, showcase NIST’s expertise, and increase recruitment potential within these communities.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

The executive order on advancing educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Black Americans highlights the need to expand opportunities for Black Americans in STEM fields. The field of physics plays a critical role in NIST’s mission, as physicists are essential to NIST’s work in areas such as quantum science, optics, and materials research. NIST employs a significant number of physicists, yet the representation of Black Americans and Hispanics in the physicist workforce remains disproportionately low compared to national demographics, demonstrating a clear need for increased outreach and engagement with underrepresented groups. By purchasing a platinum-level package at the NSBP-NSHP joint conference, NIST will actively contribute to increasing the representation of Black physicists in its workforce, which is in alignment with this executive order.

By leveraging its statutory authority under 15 U.S. Code § 278g-1 (2022), which includes conducting outreach to and developing collaborations with nontraditional educational organizations, including those that offer training through nonprofit associations and professional associations or professional societies, to engage persons historically underrepresented in STEM, and aligning with multiple executive orders focused on advancing educational equity for Hispanics and Black Americans, this sole-source procurement will enable NIST to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce, consistent with its strategic goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.

NAICS code for this requirement will be 561920 – Convention and Trade Show Organizers with a small business size of 17.5M

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by will be considered by the Government.

Inquiry POCs

Erik.Fycklund@nist.gov    Primary

Donald.Graham@nist.gov Secondary

National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD)

100 Bureau Dr.  Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640