6BDE Big Foot STEM Academy
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, W6QM MICC-FT KNOX, is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified small businesses capable of providing comprehensive support services for the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) Big Foot STEM Academy from May 26-30, 2026. This includes lodging, facilities, meals, and transportation for approximately 366 JROTC cadets and 64 cadre within 100 miles of Dahlonega, Georgia. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside, contingent on receiving at least two qualified small business responses. Responses are due April 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Purpose
This notice is for market research and planning purposes only, not a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP). The U.S. Government seeks to determine the availability of small businesses to meet the requirement at a fair market price, which will inform a potential future small business set-aside.
Scope of Work
Based on the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS), the contractor will provide:
- Lodging: Secure, individual billets with HVAC, beds, desks, chairs, lighting, and bathrooms for 366 cadets and 64 cadre. Separate housing for male and female cadets.
- Facilities: A gymnasium (seating 500), recreation center, mock pavilion, sports fields, and courts.
- Meals: All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for cadets and cadre, meeting USDA dietary and local health standards, including sack lunches.
- Transportation: Four 34-seat and six 56-seat buses with drivers for daily transport from May 27-29, 2026.
- Safety Officers: Two Safety/Security Officers during specific overnight hours.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought
- Anticipated NAICS: 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (Size Standard: $34.5M)
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5), conditional upon sufficient small business responses.
- Anticipated Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Service Contract.
- Period of Performance: May 26, 2026 – May 30, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Contractor's facility within 100 miles of Dahlonega, Georgia.
Response Requirements
Interested firms should provide:
- Company details: Name, POC, phone, email, DUNS, CAGE, small business status/certifications, and NAICS code.
- Interest as a prime contractor, and any subcontracting, joint venture, or teaming arrangements.
- Detailed past experience on similar requirements (size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government/commercial).
- Information on commercial availability, pricing, delivery schedules, and customary terms.
- Recommendations to facilitate competition among small businesses.
- Identification of any conditions unnecessarily restricting competition.
- Recommendations to improve the draft PWS.
Submission Details
- Response Due: April 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET (Fort Knox local time).
- Submit to: Contract Specialist Candice M. Hodges (candice.m.hodges.civ@army.mil) and Contracting Officer Samuel M. Henderson (samuel.m.henderson1.civ@army.mil).
- This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service, nor will it pay for information submitted.