5BDE Houston ISD JCLC STEM
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 U.S. Army, MICC-FT KNOX, is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice for the 5BDE Houston ISD JCLC STEM program. The government seeks to procure lodging, facilities, and meals for 220 cadets and 52 cadre from the Houston Independent School District Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Camp. The camp is scheduled for June 8-13, 2026, on a college or university campus within 100 miles of Houston, TX. This requirement is anticipated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside, contingent upon sufficient qualified small business responses. Responses are due by May 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for non-personal services to support the JCLC/STEM Camp. Key services include:
- Lodging: Co-located, climate-controlled accommodations with adequate ventilation and personal space for 272 individuals (220 Cadets, 52 Cadre). Separate lodging for male and female cadets and cadre.
- Facilities: Provision of all necessary facilities, furniture, equipment, supplies, management, supervision, and labor for lodging, dining, and training.
- Training Areas: Two co-located classrooms (up to 80 cadets each) for STEM activities (Sea Perch, VEX Robotics, Robolink Drone instruction); a large multi-use conference area/gymnasium (minimum 11,273 SF) for orientation, briefings, and indoor drone/robotics operations; a swimming pool with lifeguards; a rock wall with certified trainers; an outdoor athletic field; and covered areas for inclement weather.
- Technology: Audio-visual equipment and Wi-Fi in classrooms.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all participants, adhering to USDA dietary guidelines and accommodating vegetarian needs.
- Logistics: Parking for 10 JROTC vehicles and temporary space for 5 commercial buses; on-campus administrative capability for in/out-processing.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought Notice (for information and planning purposes only)
- NAICS Code: 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (Size Standard: $34.5M)
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (conditional on responses)
- Response Due: May 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET (Fort Knox local time)
- Published: April 28, 2026
- Period of Performance: June 8-13, 2026
- Place of Performance: Contractor's facility within 100 miles of Houston, TX (e.g., 13250 Summit Ridge Dr, Houston, TX, 77085, as per draft PWS).
Response Requirements
Interested firms must provide:
- Firm name, point of contact, phone, email, DUNS, CAGE, small business status/certifications (e.g., SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB), and corresponding NAICS code.
- Indication of interest as a prime contractor, and any planned subcontracting, joint ventures, or teaming arrangements.
- Detailed information on previous experience (prime/subcontractor) with similar requirements (size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government/commercial).
- Information on commercial availability, including pricing, basis for pricing, delivery schedules, customary terms, and warranties.
- Recommendations on structuring contract requirements to facilitate small business competition.
- Identification of any conditions or actions unnecessarily restricting competition, with rationale.
- Recommendations to improve the approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS.
Additional Notes
A draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached for review. This notice does not constitute a solicitation, and the government will not pay for response costs. Not responding does not preclude future participation. Small business certification requirements (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB/SDVOSB, WOSB/EDWOSB) must be met via https://certifications.sba.gov/. For competition concerns, contact Scott Kukes at scott.d.kukes.civ@army.mil or 520-944-7373. Responses should be emailed to Candice M. Hodges (candice.m.hodges.civ@army.mil) and Eric V. Tollefson (eric.v.tollefson.civ@army.mil).