Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Consortium
ID: W911SR-24-S-0001Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE ARMYW6QK ACC-APGABERDEEN PROVING GROU, MD, 21010-5424, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC12)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Army, is offering a funding opportunity for the establishment of a Consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focused on enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research capabilities. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among these institutions, improve educational outcomes, and increase participation in defense-related research and development efforts, with a total funding potential of up to $150 million over a ten-year period. This program is critical for diversifying the STEM workforce and ensuring that underrepresented institutions contribute to national security advancements. Interested applicants must submit their proposals through Grants.gov by September 12, 2024, and can contact Stacey L. Jump at stacey.l.jump.civ@army.mil for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
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    Title
    Posted
    The government document outlines a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a Cooperative Agreement to manage a consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focused on enhancing STEM education and research capabilities. The Consortium Manager, which can be proposed as a full-time position or an incumbent faculty member, is tasked with connecting these institutions, managing project submissions to the government, and ensuring compliance with eligibility requirements. Questions from potential applicants cover eligibility, proposal submission processes, cost structures, and project management. The goal is to allocate a total of $150 million over ten years for research projects, with applicants required to establish a detailed budget and manage funds effectively. Key points include the stipulation that the managing entity must be a compliant 501(c)(3) non-profit, the necessity for collaboration among members, and the lack of a required coalition but encouragement for broad inclusion of MSIs and HBCUs. The FOA emphasizes the importance of innovation in STEM and maintaining U.S. technological leadership.
    The U.S. Army is issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) targeting Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish a STEM Consortium aimed at enhancing research, technology, and education. The Department of Defense seeks innovative partnerships to stimulate advanced research compatible with national defense objectives under the authority of 10 USC 4144. A single cooperative agreement will be awarded with a potential funding of up to $150 million over ten years. The FOA outlines eligibility criteria for applicants, emphasizing the need for an established non-profit organization that can manage and operate the Consortium effectively. The program's goals include improving research capabilities at MSIs and HBCUs, fostering collaborations between these institutions and the defense sector, and increasing the engagement of minority graduates in STEM fields. Key application requirements include detailed proposals addressing technical plans, management strategies, past performance, and cost estimates. All proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by September 12, 2024. The document also emphasizes strict compliance with federal regulations and the prohibition of profit under the cooperative agreement. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to enhancing minority participation in critical scientific research relevant to national security and defense advancements.
    The U.S. Army Contracting Command is offering a funding opportunity for a cooperative agreement aimed at establishing a Consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research. This initiative, under FOA W911SR-24-S-0001, seeks innovative proposals to stimulate advanced research and development over a ten-year performance period, with a total funding potential of $150 million. Key objectives include enhancing the research capabilities of MSIs and HBCUs, increasing participation in Defense-related R&D efforts, and fostering collaborations with federal agencies and the defense industry. The proposal must outline how the consortium will operate, attract members, provide mentorship, and increase minority engagement in STEM sectors. Applications are due by September 12, 2024, with funding subject to availability. Eligibility requires management capabilities, integrity, and a satisfactory record of similar program execution. The evaluation will consider the technical plan, management strategy, past performance, and credentials, ensuring that selected proposals align with the Department of Defense's goals for innovation and talent development within the nation's educational institutions.
    The document outlines questions and responses related to a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a Cooperative Agreement aimed at establishing and managing a Consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to support STEM education and research. Key aspects include eligibility criteria, proposal requirements, funding allocation, and management responsibilities. Applicants are encouraged to propose personnel structures, including whether the Consortium Manager can be a current faculty member. The award's total budget over ten years is $150 million, with $500,000 provided for initial setup costs; ongoing funding depends on specific research task sponsorship. The FOA specifies that the consortium must be open to all MSIs and HBCUs, and applicants do not need to identify all consortium members before submitting proposals. Responses emphasize that establishment funding should be distinctly budgeted from operational costs. The purpose of this FOA is to enhance the technological capacities of educational institutions under 10 USC 4144, ensuring equitable access to research opportunities for diverse educational entities while detailing requirements for administration and member involvement.
    The document outlines the representations required for applicants seeking assistance agreements from the Department of Defense (DoD). It defines a "Corporation" and specifies that applicants must indicate whether they have any unpaid federal tax liabilities or felony convictions within 24 months. If an applicant confirms either condition, they become ineligible for funding unless reviewed and cleared by the agency's suspension and debarment official (SDO). The applicant is advised to provide relevant details about their tax status or convictions to the SDO promptly to facilitate the evaluation process prior to award decisions. Signatory fields are provided for the applicant's affirmation and contact information. This document serves as a compliance measure within the context of government requests for proposals (RFPs) and grants, ensuring that entities receiving federal assistance meet legal and ethical criteria. By addressing tax and legal accountability, the DoD safeguards public funds and promotes integrity within its funded projects.
    The Department of Defense is issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for establishing a Consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research. The U.S. Army aims to award a maximum of $150 million over ten years to an eligible organization that will manage this consortium, enhancing the research capabilities of these institutions and fostering collaboration with defense entities. Key objectives include improving educational outcomes in STEM fields, increasing graduate participation in defense sectors, and promoting innovative research developments pertinent to national security needs. The FOA details require applicants to demonstrate management capability, past performance, and a solid technical plan. The application is due by September 12, 2024, with funding contingent upon federal appropriations. The recipient is expected to submit monthly status reports, an annual program report, and maintain detailed accounting practices. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to cultivating a diverse and technically proficient workforce to address evolving defense challenges, aligning with legislative provisions for educational support under 10 USC 4144.
    The Opportunity Day Briefing for RFP W911SR-24-S-0001, presented by Carlethia D. Smith of the Army Contracting Command, announces a funding opportunity designed to support research and education programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. This Cooperative Agreement (CA) will allocate up to $150 million over a ten-year period for establishing and managing a consortium focused on research collaboration. The recipient must be a compliant 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is prohibited from profiting from the agreement. Proposals should demonstrate a solid technical plan, efficient management, past performance, and reasonable costs, with the submission deadline set for September 12, 2024. The initial funding of $500K will assist with consortium management, ramping up to 10 full-time employees in the first year. A detailed budget proposal is required outlining administrative costs. Key milestones include the issuance of the FOA on July 10, 2024, a questions deadline on August 9, 2024, and the award announcement on December 12, 2024, with all proposals needing submission through Grants.gov. Regular checks for amendments on the site are advised to ensure compliance with any new updates.
    The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) has announced a funding opportunity to increase the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in defense and national security initiatives. Established under 10 U.S.C. 4144, this program aims to enhance the research capabilities of these institutions, facilitate collaboration with federal agencies, and grow the number of graduates who enter fields critical to national security. Key requirements include forming a consortium of eligible MSIs and HBCUs, implementing capacity-building strategies, and ensuring financial accountability. Deliverables such as monthly status reports and final technical reports are mandated. Evaluation criteria will focus on the technical approach, management methodology, past performance of applicants, and the credentials of both the organization and its personnel. This initiative highlights the importance of creating a robust STEM pipeline from underrepresented institutions while fostering collaborative research that can be applied to defense technologies. Overall, the program seeks to strengthen the role of MSIs and HBCUs in government-related science and technology fields, ultimately contributing to national security efforts.
    The U.S. Army Contracting Command announced a Funding Opportunity for the establishment of a STEM Consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through cooperative agreement W911SR-24-S-0001. Issued on July 10, 2024, this initiative aims to stimulate research and technical development within these institutions, fostering innovation and enhancing their capabilities in areas critical to national defense. The anticipated funding over a ten-year period is up to $150 million, subject to federal approval, with applications due by September 12, 2024. The program seeks to increase participation of MSIs and HBCUs in research and development, improve educational outcomes, promote collaborations among academic institutions and industry, and enhance the overall STEM workforce. The recipient must manage the consortium and demonstrate a solid plan for operation, membership engagement, and milestone reporting. Additionally, compliance with various federal regulations is mandatory, including non-profit status and ethical standards. This funding opportunity emphasizes the government’s commitment to diversifying the STEM education landscape, thereby constructing a more robust defense research infrastructure.
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