STARBASE Academy

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the operation and management of the Department of Defense (DoD) STARBASE Academy at Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB) in Florida. The program's mission is to raise interest and improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for at-risk fifth-grade students. The selected contractor must provide all services, supervision, and personnel required to operate the core STARBASE curriculum, with an option to implement the advanced STARBASE 2.0/3.0 afterschool mentoring program after the first year. Key staffing requirements include a Director, four Program Instructors, four Instructor Assistants, and an Office Manager. All personnel must pass background checks before interacting with students. The contractor is responsible for meeting specific performance thresholds, including delivering at least 750 classroom contact hours per school year (minimum of 30 five-day classes of 25 hours each), plus two weeks of summer/vacation sessions. The government will provide the physical facility (Building 3655), maintenance, utilities, and major IT/classroom equipment. The contractor must provide basic office supplies, lesson materials, and commercial internet connectivity. Performance is monitored by a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) based on educational compliance, student volume, and timely reporting. All records generated under this contract remain government property.

This combined synopsis/solicitation (Solicitation No. FA252126QB073) seeks quotes to obtain management and operational services for the DoD STARBASE Program at Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB) in Florida. This acquisition is set aside exclusively for not-for-profit organizations, and bidding contractors must submit official IRS and state-level documentation verifying their nonprofit status. The procurement is classified under NAICS code 611710 (Educational Support Services) with a small business size standard of $24,000,000. Key deadlines include a question submission deadline of July 24, 2026, and a final quote submission deadline of August 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST. Quotes must be emailed to 45CONS.PKB.email@us.af.mil, and .zip files are not permitted. Proposals will be evaluated based on three factors: Technical Acceptability (demonstrating technical capability and labor mix according to the Performance Work Statement), Past Performance (assessed via FAPIIS, CPARS, SPRS, and other databases), and Price (evaluated for completeness, fairness, and reasonableness). Combined non-price factors are slightly more important than price. The Government intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract to the responsible offeror whose conforming proposal is most advantageous, and reserves the right to make an award without discussions. Offers must remain valid for at least 60 calendar days from the receipt deadline.

This document outlines the mandatory instructions and compliance requirements for contractors performing work under Department of the Air Force solicitation FA252126QB073. It establishes procedures across five core administrative and security areas: - **Ombudsman Program:** Defines the role of the appointed ombudsman in resolving offeror concerns. Contractors must first attempt resolution with the contracting officer before escalating issues to the Center or Department of the Air Force ombudsman. - **Base Access Control:** Requires contractors to secure base identification, vehicle passes, and submit detailed personnel rosters on company letterhead. Contractors must comply with unescorted entry standards (DAFI 31-101 and DAFMAN 16-1405) and enroll in the Emergency Mass Notification System (EMNS). - **Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS):** Prohibits the use of Class I ODS (such as specific Halons, CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, and methyl bromide) in any contract-related testing, operation, or maintenance. - **Health and Safety:** Mandates compliance with Air Force Occupational Safety and Health (AFOSH) standards. Non-compliance is grounds for contract termination under the Default clause. - **Security Incident Reporting:** Establishes strict protocols for contracts containing a DD Form 254. Contractors must report any potential, actual, or suspected compromise of classified information to the Government Contracting Activity (GCA). This includes delivering an initial Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) notification within 72 hours of discovery, followed by a detailed final inquiry report within 10 business days. Directives are provided for data spills, classified compilation, and handling unrecoverable overseas compromises.

This 21-page federal solicitation document (Document Number FA252126QB073) compiles mandatory contract clauses and provisions incorporated by reference and in full text. It outlines the compliance, reporting, and certification requirements for contractors bidding on a Department of Defense (DoD) procurement. Key elements of the document include: - **Incorporated Clauses:** Lists numerous standard FAR and DFARS clauses by reference, covering ethical conduct, whistleblower protection, cybersecurity requirements (including safeguarding covered defense information), taxes, and small business utilization. - **Telecommunications Restrictions:** Includes representation provisions (DFARS 252.204-7016 and 252.204-7017) prohibiting the acquisition of covered defense telecommunications equipment or services from restricted entities. - **Electronic Invoicing:** Details Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) invoicing and payment instructions under DFARS 252.232-7006. - **Conflicts of Interest:** Imposes strict certification requirements under DFARS 252.209-7012 regarding consulting services with covered foreign entities, such as China and Russia, and mandates an auditable mitigation plan if conflicts exist. - **Contract Performance & Funding:** Incorporates option clauses to extend services or the contract term (up to five years) and details incrementally funded contract limitations under DFARS 252.232-7007. - **Responsibility & Sourcing Certifications:** Requires disclosures regarding corporate responsibility, felony convictions, delinquent taxes, and compliance with the Buy American-Balance of Payments Program. The document serves to establish the legal, security, and administrative framework that the selected contractor must adhere to throughout the life of the contract.

This Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI 1025.07) establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides direction for the DoD STARBASE Program. Authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 2193b, the program is a 12-month, year-round civil-military initiative designed to improve the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) knowledge and skills of kindergarten through 12th-grade students. It prioritizes historically underrepresented and at-risk youth by exposing them to military technological environments and positive role models. The instruction details the requirements for two program tiers: - **Basic STARBASE Program:** Focuses primarily on fifth-grade students, delivering 25 hours of core curriculum instruction on military installations. - **Advanced STARBASE 2.0:** An after-school mentoring program targeting sixth- to eighth-grade students, utilizing volunteer STEM coaches in partnering schools. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASD(M&RA)) provides overall policy, budget approval, and congressional reporting. Sponsoring Military Departments and the National Guard Bureau are responsible for program administration, funding requests, and conducting fiscal and real property audits every three years. Sponsoring military installations must provide adequate facilities and support. Additionally, the document outlines personnel staffing requirements, mandatory background checks, core curriculum approval processes managed by the OASD(M&RA), and a three-level performance assessment system used to evaluate and advance individual academies. Support may be terminated if academies fail to meet performance goals, submit required reporting, or maintain installation support.

This document outlines the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structure for solicitation FA252126QB073, which procures STARBASE educational services and academy supplies over a multi-year period. The contract structure includes a Base Year (August 30, 2026 – July 31, 2027), four one-year Option Periods, and a final six-month extension option (Option Year 5) ending January 31, 2032. The procurement is categorized into three primary service requirements: - **STARBASE Classes:** Procured individually (Each), requiring 120 classes per full school year (30 week-long sessions featuring four classes each) and 60 classes during the six-month extension. - **STARBASE Summer Classes:** Procured individually (Each), requiring eight classes per summer session (two week-long sessions of four classes each), which are excluded from the final six-month extension. - **Academy Supplies:** Procured as a single lot per performance period, requiring offerors to submit an itemized list of anticipated supplies for each period. All class structures and scheduling are designed to comply with Paragraph 3.1 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) dated July 9, 2026.

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the operation and management of the DoD STARBASE Program at Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB), Florida. The program aims to improve STEM knowledge and skills among at-risk 5th-grade youth. Key aspects include providing a minimum of 750 classroom contact hours per classroom annually, with instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics following the DoD-approved curriculum. The contractor must employ a Director, nine Program Instructors, and an Office Manager, all subject to background checks and specific qualifications. The government will provide facilities, utilities, security, and essential equipment, while the contractor is responsible for office supplies, instructional materials, internet, and telephones. The PWS also details quality control, quality assurance, contractor manpower reporting, and record-keeping requirements to ensure successful program delivery.

This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Patrick Space Force Base anticipates a requirement for non-profit organizations to operate and manage the DoD STARBASE Program at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. The proposed NAICS Code is 611710 ($24,000,000.00 size standard). The government is conducting market research to determine interest, capability, and socio-economic category of potential sources. Interested parties should submit a capabilities package, including DUNS, Cage Code, SAM registration expiration, GSA contract number (if applicable), a proposed pricing schedule, and business size/status. Teaming arrangements should delineate work distribution. Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract. Firms must be registered with SAM to be eligible for award. Submissions are due electronically by 12:00 PM Eastern on May 5, 2026, to gage.belyeu.2@spaceforce.mil and jonathan.sebastian.1@spaceforce.mil. A Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached.