FSA 2014 Conference

The purpose of this notice is to announce the government's intent to award a Task Order for conference space and related services and lodging to accommodate a large number of participants. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) hosts an annual training symposium for approximately 6,000 attendees, representing approximately 2,000 institutions of higher education participating in the federal student aid programs. These schools are responsible for annually disbursing approximately $150 billion in annual federal student aid awards to approximately 15 million students attending their institutions. Ensuring these financial aid professionals understand student aid policy, programs and procedures is critical to ensuring students have the aid they need to pursue a postsecondary education and to preventing waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer funds. FSA's conference employs Department personnel to train conference attendees, i.e. school financial aid professionals responsible for offering the federal student aid programs on their campuses. This training is part of FSA's school oversight responsibility and increases the integrity of the federal student aid programs while ensuring appropriate stewardship of taxpayer resources. It is anticipated that between 6,000 - 6,500 attendees from approximately 2,000 institutions, will attend the conference.

Please note, FSA negotiated a contract with A-S-K Associates, Inc, (ASK) a small Veteran Owned business, to provide site selection and related acquisition support for this requirement. The contract was awarded under A-S-K Associates' GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract (GS-23F-066J) and a Department of Education Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). A-S-K Associates is currently identifying space to hold the conference, therefore interested parties shall contact A-S-K Associates, at bwalmsley@askusa.com.. Locations under Consideration: Central and Eastern US