Sponsorship of 2025 GEM Conference, Sponsor of FFPT & Grad Lab + Student Travel

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center has published a Special Notice for a sole source procurement opportunity for sponsorship of the 2025 GEM Conference. This procurement specifically involves sponsoring the Future Faculty Professionals Track and Grad Lab sessions, as well as providing student travel funding for the National GEM Consortium's Annual Board Conference and Meeting. The event is scheduled for September 11-13, 2025, in San Diego, California, at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. NASA intends to award this contract directly to The National GEM Consortium under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), classifying it as the only vendor currently available to meet the specific requirements. The procurement falls under NAICS code 611710 for Educational Support Services.

The primary purpose of this sponsorship is to support NASA's commitment to advancing minority and underserved scholars in STEM disciplines while providing the agency with strategic recruitment and visibility opportunities. Interested organizations have until 7 a.m. Central Standard Time on August 28, 2025, to submit written capabilities and qualifications to the contracting officer at Stephanie.n.Graham@nasa.gov, though oral communications are not acceptable. The government will evaluate these submissions solely to determine whether to conduct the procurement competitively, with the final decision remaining at NASA's discretion. Through this sponsorship, NASA will gain access to a diverse pool of graduate-level STEM scholars, receive high visibility as a leader in minority STEM advancement, and obtain opportunities to recruit for Co-Op and Summer Internship programs. The sponsorship package includes funding travel and accommodations for 15 NASA GEM Fellows, providing NASA with a resource table at the conference, introductions during plenary sessions, and professional development opportunities for NASA OSTEM representatives.