ONR STEM Internships, Website, and Outreach Programs

Quick Summary

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought for ONR STEM Internships, Website, and Outreach Programs. This notice seeks to identify 8(a) OFFERORS WHO ARE ALASKA NATIVE/HAWAIIAN OWNED/INDIAN OWNED capable of supporting the Department of Navy (DON) STEM initiatives. The goal is to inspire and recruit the next generation of scientists and engineers for the Naval workforce. Responses are due by January 28, 2026.

Scope of Work

This effort involves providing comprehensive technical support for ONR's STEM Internship Programs, including:

• Internship Program Administration: Managing and distributing stipends for programs like SEAP, NREIP, Naval Horizons, and other short-term internships. This includes developing and maintaining application portals and providing customer service.
• Website Development & Management: Creating, maintaining, and securing the Naval STEM Website as a central hub for DON STEM opportunities. This also includes developing website formats for specific programs and ensuring compliance with DoD website guidance and timely remediation of vulnerabilities.
• Virtual Internship Initiatives: Developing virtual training and research opportunities, and providing DoD-approved virtual platforms.
• Outreach Activities: Supporting STEM events, competitions, career fairs, and workshops, including travel, planning, procurement, and delivery of outreach materials, and multimedia content development.
• Security Management: Handling security requirements, including background checks and clearance processing for interns (SECRET clearance for most 18+ interns, NACI for SEAP/NREIP), and safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Contract & Timeline

• Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought for a planned Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.
• Set-Aside: Exclusively for 8(a) Tribal entities (Alaska Native/Hawaiian Owned/Indian Owned). Responses from other entities will not be reviewed.
• NAICS: 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) with a $19.5M size standard.
• PSC: R408 (Program Management/Support Services).
• Contract Structure: A single-award IDIQ is planned, allowing for Firm Fixed Price Level of Effort (ONR only) and Cost Reimbursement (no fee) task orders (ONR and authorized Navy Labs). Stipend task orders will not include a fee, but indirect rates may be considered.
• Period of Performance: The IDIQ ordering period will be 60 months (5 years). The First Task Order is estimated for 60 months, comprising a 12-month base and four 12-month option periods, with a potential 6-month option.
• Prior Contract: The incumbent contractor is Saxman One LLC (N0001421D4002) with a prior ceiling of $60,750,000.
• Response Due: January 28, 2026, 12:00 PM local time, Washington D.C.
• Published: January 22, 2026.

Key Information Requested

Respondents are asked to provide:

• A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for the First Task Order and comments on the labor mix.
• Details on applying indirect rates to intern stipends.
• Process for processing student security clearances (DD 254).
• Facility clearance level.
• Process for conducting outreach events, procuring materials, shipping, and handling travel.
• Required IT tools for website requirements.
• Prior experience managing internship programs (magnitude, innovative solutions, challenges).
• Identification of any commercial solutions for the requirement.
• Compliance with systems like SAM, VETS 4212, NIST, and CMMC.

Special Requirements & Notes

• A SECRET level DD 254 will apply at the IDIQ level for intern security processing.
• Contractors must comply with DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST 800-171, submitting a System Security Plan (SSP) within 30 days of award.
• An Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) policy exists for contractors performing both systems engineering/technical assistance (SETA) and Research & Development (R&D) work.
• The Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) include items such as Quality Control Plans, Monthly Progress/Financial Reports, System Security Plans, Website Formats, and various data reports.