DRAFT - Solicitation STEM Pipeline

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is soliciting proposals for STEM Pipeline support services to develop and implement Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics educational initiatives across the Continental United States and select international locations. The procurement seeks qualified personnel and support services for multiple STEM outreach programs including the Wizards of Wright! volunteer program, FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge robotics initiatives, Scanning Electron Microscope Educators (SEMEDS), science fair coordination, job shadow programs, and related audio-visual and web development support. Key contract requirements include staffing six primary labor categories with specific qualifications—such as Ohio teaching licenses for the Wizards of Wright! Project Manager and relevant experience ranging from two to 15 years for other positions—and maintaining 95% personnel availability with less than 20% annual turnover. The Government will conduct a Best Value Full Trade-off source selection under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15 and DFARS procedures, evaluating proposals on five equally-weighted technical subfactors including STEM curriculum development, robotics program execution, audio-visual content production, apprentice hiring and management, and STEM camp planning and execution, with all non-price factors combined being significantly more important than price. This is a draft solicitation with an industry feedback deadline of February 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST, and the original proposal due date was February 6, 2026.

This procurement does not utilize a small business set-aside and is open to full and open competition. The contract is structured as a Single Source Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle with an estimated total value of $1,056,000 covering a base period of one year plus four optional one-year extension periods, with pricing of $192,000 annually ($12,000 in Travel and $180,000 in Materials). The primary performance location is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, Ohio, specifically Building 196, with services also extending throughout the Greater Dayton area, the State of Ohio, and the broader United States. Work must be performed primarily in-person during normal business hours of 0730-1600 Monday through Friday, with flexibility for evening, weekend, and holiday events. The contractor must maintain security clearances (National Agency Check with written Inquiries/SF85 for positions of trust) and ensure U.S. citizenship for personnel requiring base and IT network access, and is responsible for facility operations, equipment maintenance, wireless internet and website hosting, and material procurement with a minimum $100,000 purchase capability.