3BDE JCLC CHICAGO
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Army, MICC-FT KNOX, has issued a Sources Sought Notice to identify qualified small businesses capable of providing comprehensive support for the 3BDE Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) in Chicago, IL, from May 25 to June 12, 2026. This requirement is for 300 cadets and 86 cadre from Chicago Public Schools. A draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached.
Purpose
The U.S. Government seeks to procure all necessary personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and non-personal services to support the JCLC. This notice aims to determine if a small business set-aside is feasible, requiring responses from at least two qualified small businesses.
Scope of Work
The PWS outlines requirements for a non-personal services contract covering food, lodging, and facility usage. Key services include:
- Providing meals, lodging, and training facilities for 300 cadets and 86 cadre.
- Supporting an initial resource working group on May 25, 2025, and the on-site training event from June 8-12, 2026.
- Offering diverse training activities such as land navigation, aquatics, confidence building with a rappel tower and climbing wall.
- Supplying all necessary personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, and management.
Key Requirements
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch (including box lunches and cook-outs), and dinner, with accommodations for 30 vegetarian meals per meal and no peanut products.
- Lodging: Separate housing for 300 cadets by gender, and lodging for 86 cadre (25 single rooms, 24 open bay), including beds, linens, and storage.
- Facilities: Buildings for in-processing, classrooms, command post, 24-hour first aid station, swimming pool, lake area, cleared flat area (football field size), wooded area for land navigation, rappel tower, climbing wall, obstacle course, outdoor amphitheater, and cooling areas.
- Transportation: Round-trip bus transportation between St. Johns Northwest Military Academy and Sussex Army National Guard Armory.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: Conditional Small Business Set-Aside (requires at least two qualified small business responses). All socioeconomic categories are encouraged to respond.
- NAICS Code: 721214 Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds), with a $9.0M size standard.
- Period of Performance: May 25, 2026, to June 12, 2026.
- Response Due: February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST (Fort Knox local time).
- Published: January 13, 2026.
Information Requested
Interested firms should provide:
- Firm name, point of contact, phone, email, DUNS, CAGE, and small business status/certifications.
- Indication of interest as a prime contractor, including any subcontracting, joint ventures, or teaming arrangements.
- Detailed past experience on similar requirements (size, scope, complexity, timeframe).
- Information on commercial availability and pricing.
- Recommendations to structure contract requirements for small business competition.
- Identification of any conditions restricting competition.
- Recommendations to improve the draft PWS.
Contact Information
Responses should be emailed to Contract Specialist Renete Barnett-Morgan (renete.l.barnett-morgan.civ@army.mil) and Contracting Officer Ranetta DeRamos (ranetta.m.deramos.civ@army.mil).