STARBASE New Hampshire - 2027

The State of New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services is requesting proposals to operate and manage STARBASE New Hampshire, a Department of Defense STEM education program for at-risk youth in grades 5–8, under RFP DMAVS 2027-01, with proposals due July 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM and the vendor inquiry period ending July 8, 2026.

Only non-profit organizations duly registered to conduct business in New Hampshire are eligible. The selected vendor must provide all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, and transportation to deliver a minimum of 800 annual classroom contact hours (750 hours in 30 school-year classes of 20–35 students each, plus 50 hours in summer sessions of 15–35 students), conduct at least four community outreach activities annually, and implement Department of Defense-approved curricula. All instruction occurs at the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, New Hampshire. The contractor must maintain a minimum of four full-time staff: a Director (GS-12/13 equivalent) hired within 30 days of contract execution, either two Program Instructors or one Deputy Director and one Program Instructor (GS-9 to 11 equivalent), and an Office Manager (GS-5 to 9 equivalent). All personnel must obtain New Hampshire teacher certification, pass Department of Defense background checks within 30 days of hire, and maintain current CPR/First Aid certification where required. Operational and curriculum plans must be completed within 14 and 60 days respectively; staff recruitment must be operational within 60 days.

The maximum contract value is $1.15 million for the two-year initial term ($575,000 annually), with one optional two-year renewal contingent on satisfactory performance and continued federal funding. The State provides facilities (Rooms 144 and 145), equipment (detailed in the state-owned equipment list), utilities, and facility maintenance; the contractor pays for internet and telephone services on a separate account. All equipment and supplies purchased with contract funds become state property upon contract completion or termination.

Proposals are evaluated on a 125-point scale: Company Profile (15 points), Program Understanding (15 points), Ability to Meet Deliverables (45 points), Implementation Plan (20 points), Assessment/Evaluation/Reporting (20 points), and Price Proposal (10 points, comparative scoring favoring lowest cost). Vendors must achieve a minimum of 70 points in preliminary technical scoring to have price proposals reviewed. Contract performance is contingent upon Governor and Executive Council approval and continued appropriation of federal funding.