STARBASE Program

The State of Michigan's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is issuing an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the STARBASE Program, seeking a contractor to manage educational facilities and programming at three Michigan National Guard locations in Mt Clemens, Alpena, and Battle Creek. The procurement is categorized under Commodity Code 92471 for School Operation and Management Services, with a specific focus on managing program facilities, staffing, and provisions under a Cooperative Agreement. The state has identified STARBASE Inc. as the preferred sole-source provider, given their unique historical role in founding the nationwide STARBASE program with the National Guard Bureau. Key objectives include managing program facilities and securing additional sponsorships to expand children's educational programming. The solicitation requires potential alternative vendors to submit written responses demonstrating equivalent service capabilities by May 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST. All questions and responses must be submitted via email to Elizabeth Noffsinger, the designated state contact for this procurement.

The ITN does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. STARBASE Inc., currently located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, is positioned as the incumbent and preferred vendor with a unique ability to fulfill the program's mission. The procurement appears to follow a public-private partnership model that leverages both governmental support and private sponsorship to sustain and expand educational programming. While specific award values are not detailed in the provided documentation, the contract aims to support STARBASE's educational initiatives across three Michigan National Guard locations. The solicitation suggests a collaborative approach, inviting potential alternative providers to demonstrate their capability to deliver equivalent services if they believe they can match STARBASE Inc.'s specialized programming and operational expertise.