Jackson Public Schools STEM

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is issued by the U.S. Government for information and planning purposes only. It seeks to procure meals, lodging, transportation, facility usage, and a residential experience for 360 cadets participating in the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) Jackson Public School District STEM Camp. The government is considering a small business set-aside if at least two qualified small businesses respond with sufficient information.

• Six (6) one-week cycles, each with sixty (60) Cadets and four (4) Cadre.

• Period of Performance: June 1, 2026 - July 17, 2026.

• Specific dates for each cycle are provided.

• The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools), with a size standard of $34.5 million.

• A draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached.

• This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it commit the government to issue one.

• No quotes, bids, or proposals are being accepted at this time.

• No payment will be made for information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice.

• Responses are due no later than April 21, 2026, at 11:00 am ET.

• Responses should be emailed to Kristy Mattingly (kristy.n.mattingly.civ@army.mil) and Deborah R. Davis-maxwell (deborah.r.davis-maxwelll.civ@army.mil).

• The requirement may be set aside for small businesses if two or more qualified small businesses respond.

• All socioeconomic categories of small businesses are encouraged to respond.

• Firms must take action at https://certifications.sba.gov/ to compete for 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB/SDVOSB, and WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside contracts.

Vendors are requested to provide:

• Firm details (POC, DUNS, CAGE, small business status, NAICS code).

• Interest in competing as a prime contractor and any subcontracting/teaming plans.

• Detailed information on previous experience with similar requirements (size, scope, complexity, timeframe, certifications).

• Information to determine commercial availability, including pricing, delivery schedules, and terms.

• Recommendations on how to structure requirements to facilitate small business competition.

• Identification of any factors unnecessarily restricting competition.

• Recommendations to improve the approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS.

• Potential offerors are responsible for monitoring the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) for future solicitations.

• Limitations on subcontracting and nonmanufacturer rule may apply depending on the award type and set-aside.

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

To provide a residential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) experience for 360 JROTC Cadets from Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, aiming to increase awareness of STEM academic programs and career fields, enhance personal leadership and character development, inspire academic excellence, and encourage pursuit of STEM-related career opportunities.

• Provide a six-week residential camp program from June 1 to July 17, 2026, with six one-week cycles, each hosting 60 Cadets and 4 Cadre.

• Deliver hands-on STEM activities, university engineering lab tours, leadership project development, problem-based learning activities, and site visits to STEM-related work sites.

• Offer team building, leadership development, physical fitness, and social activities.

• Provide lodging, meals, and in/around transportation for Cadets and Cadre.

• Conduct on-campus administrative processing for Cadets and Cadre.

• Develop and present a proposed curriculum including instructional periods, local travel, and destinations.

• Facilitate interaction with university Senior ROTC representatives for scholarship and program information.

• Administer a post-training assessment to evaluate program cost-effectiveness and impact on Cadets.

• Lodging: Total lodging for 360 Cadets and 24 Cadre over six weeks; separate housing for males and females.

• Meals & Snacks: Provide up to three hot meals and two snacks per Cadet per day, adhering to USDA Nutrition Standard 9 and Army Pamphlet 30-22.

• Transportation: Vehicles must accommodate 64 personnel (60 Cadets, 4 Cadre) and be driven by a licensed driver.

• Quality Control: Contractor to provide a Quality Control Plan within five calendar days of award.

• Deliverables: Quality Control Plan, POC for Program Manager, Post Training Assessment, and Invoices as per the Deliverables Schedule.

• Period of Performance: June 1, 2026 – July 17, 2026.

• Place of Performance: A university within Mississippi, centrally located, with appropriate facilities for lodging, meals, and STEM activities.

• Contractor must be a regionally accredited public institution with established STEM and ROTC programs.

• Contractor personnel are not required to have a security clearance.

• Contractor shall provide a point of contact (POC) who serves as program manager with decision authority.

• Meals must be consistent with USDA Nutrition Standard 9 and DA PAM 30-22.

• Lodging must accommodate Cadets and Cadre separately by gender, with specific room configurations.

• Security cameras required at entry/exit points with 30-day recording retention.

• Facility must comply with all applicable state and local fire and safety codes.

• College students (rising junior, senior, or graduate) will serve as coaches/mentors for Cadet groups.