Intent to Sole Source to Eric Benken -FIRST SERGEANT ACADEMY GUEST SPEAKER Air Force Core Values

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The United States Air Force First Sergeant Academy (FSA) seeks to enhance its course curriculum by incorporating expert instruction on strategic leadership, empathetic leadership, human-centered engagement, leadership resilience, energy management, organizational priorities, problem-solving, team dynamics, cross-functional leadership, and collaboration. The goal is to provide professional development tools, teaching materials, and ready-to-use student handouts to improve the effectiveness of First Sergeants.

• Provide a two-hour instruction on the value of First Sergeants' courageous leadership.

• Deliver this instruction across 7 scheduled training sessions per performance year.

• Incorporate exchanges to enhance self-awareness of strengths and areas for improvement.

• Create and provide digital copies of course preparatory work, presentation materials, and workbooks.

• Provide digital, intuitive style presentations and portable student handouts reinforcing personality-based communication and productivity tools.

• Ensure all provided instructional materials are compatible with and accessible via the Air Force standard desktop configuration and network.

• Digital student handouts to be provided by February 23, 2026.

• Any changes to handouts must be provided at least 2 weeks prior to future sessions.

• Base Year: February 23, 2026 – February 22, 2027

• Option Years: Through February 22, 2031

• Place of Performance: First Sergeant Academy on Maxwell-Gunter AFB or an approved virtual platform.

• Contractor personnel must have a minimum of 4 years of experience serving in a First Sergeant functional role as a multi-level Command Chief Master Sergeant, with managerial experience overseeing First Sergeants.

• Contractor must demonstrate a specific strength in tying together the stressors of a First Sergeant through leadership, collaboration, and team dynamics.

• Contractor employees require base access and must comply with all security, force protection, and traffic regulations for Maxwell AFB/Gunter Annex.

• Contractor must notify the contracting officer within 30 days before on-base performance, providing employee details and contract information.

• Contractor must obtain base identification and vehicle passes for personnel requiring access.

• Use of cellular phones while operating a vehicle is prohibited; hands-free devices are permitted.

• No unauthorized IT systems, networks, or camera systems are permitted without direct permission.

• Transporting weapons or ammunition is strictly prohibited for non-law enforcement personnel.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source contract to Eric Benken for a First Sergeant Academy Guest Speaker. The service will focus on Courageous Leadership for First Sergeant Academy students at Maxwell AFB, AL. This procurement is being conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1.

• Provide selected training material on Leadership modules focusing on personal, group, and organizational growth and development.

• Create, provide, and modify a two-hour instruction on the value of courageous leadership, delivered across 7 scheduled training sessions per year.

• Incorporate exchanges to enhance self-awareness of strengths and areas for improvement.

• Provide digital copies of course preparatory work, presentation materials, and workbooks, which the government may modify.

• Provide digital presentation and portable student handouts reinforcing personality-based communication and productivity tools.

• Instructional materials must be compatible with Air Force standard desktop configuration and network.

• Student handouts to be provided digitally by 23 Feb 26, with changes provided at least 2 weeks prior to future sessions.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP)

• Procurement Procedure: FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Year: 02/23/26 – 02/22/27
  • Option Years 1-4: 02/23/27 – 02/22/31

• Place of Performance: Maxwell AFB, AL

• NAICS Code: 611430 Professional and Management Development Training

• No written solicitation will be issued.

• Interested parties capable of meeting the requirement must submit:

  • Description of current capabilities
  • Company name, point of contact, email, phone, fax
  • Type of business and size
  • CAGE Code
  • Unique ID Number

• Responses must be submitted via email no later than 29 January 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time.

• If no responsible, responsive offers are received by the deadline, a sole source contract will be issued to Eric Benken.

• This is a sole source intent; however, other capable vendors are requested to respond.

• Contractors must be registered in SAM.gov and eligible to process invoices through WAWF.

• Oral submissions are not acceptable.

• Information submitted will not be returned.

• Contact points for submission: SSgt Khadijah Jones, SSgt Bryant Nguyen, Ms. LaChandra Thompson.