Starbase Academy - Operation and Management

The Department of the Air Force Space Command is seeking a non-profit contractor to operate and manage the DoD STARBASE Program at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida. The primary objective is to provide educational services targeting at-risk 5th-grade students, focusing on improving their knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The contractor must deliver a minimum of 750 classroom contact hours annually across four classrooms, with 20-26 students per class, covering mandatory curriculum areas including physics, chemistry, technology, engineering, mathematics, and STEM careers. Interested non-profit organizations must submit a 5-page capabilities package by April 7, 2025, electronically to Contracting Officer Cynthia Whittaker. The evaluation will likely consider the contractor's experience in educational support services, staff qualifications, and ability to meet the program's specific requirements.

The solicitation is not set aside for any specific socio-economic category, though it is restricted to non-profit companies in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 1025.07. The contractor will be required to hire a Director with a STEM or education background, nine Program Instructors, and an Office Manager, all subject to background checks and specific qualifications. While no specific award value is mentioned, the NAICS code 611710 has a size standard of $24 million for educational support services. The government will provide a facility in Satellite Beach, FL, along with essential equipment such as computers, smartboards, and science lab tables. The initial contract period appears to be one year, with potential expansion to an Advanced STARBASE 2.0/3.0 program after the first year, depending on program performance and funding.