Secretary of War's Strategic Thinkers Program (STP)

Quick Summary

The General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service, is soliciting proposals for the Secretary of War's Strategic Thinkers Program (STP), a graduate-level education service for mid-career military officers and government civilians. This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ) for a Firm Fixed-Price contract. Quotes are due February 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.

Scope of Work

The contractor will provide a 12-month Master's degree program (Master's in International Public Policy or equivalent) for up to 24 students per cohort. Key deliverables include:

• Provision of all personnel, equipment, supplies, books, facilities (classroom and office space), and services.
• A core curriculum with four STP-specific courses and four from the contractor's catalog.
• Two war game exercises and one staff ride per academic year.
• Weekly assignments, discussions, and one-on-one engagements.
• Graduates must possess advanced cognitive and analytical skills in military strategy and operations.
• The program includes a "Brand Name Component" for the "Art of War" curriculum, which is proprietary to the current STP Director.

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price (FFP), with travel CLINs as direct cost no-fee.
• Period of Performance: A base period (contract award through July 31, 2026) plus three 12-month option periods.
• Estimated Value: Approximately $34.5 Million (referenced as a size standard in initial solicitation).
• Place of Performance: Contractor's facility in Washington, D.C., within a 20-mile radius of the Pentagon.
• Set-Aside: Not set-aside for small business concerns.
• Product Service Code: U005 (Tuition, Registration, And Membership Fees).

Submission & Evaluation

• Quotes Due: February 6, 2026, 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (CST).
• Technical Questions Due: January 13, 2026, 11:59 PM Central Time.
• Submission Method: Electronic via email to Paul.Hemenway@gsa.gov.
• Evaluation Basis: Award will be made to the responsible Quoter whose quote is most advantageous to the Government, using a trade-off process. Technical Approach (Factor 1) is more important than Price (Factor 2).
• Key Submission Requirements: Three separate PDF Volumes (Responsiveness, Technical, General/Price), including a Tentative Agreement with the STP Director, CMMC Level 2 Self-Certification, and proof of facility location.
• Eligibility: Quoters must be accredited institutions of higher education with experience in strategic studies, demonstrate CMMC Level 2 Self-Certified status prior to award, and provide a facility meeting graduate-level academic instruction standards.

Special Requirements & Notes

• The contractor must hire the current STP Director and negotiate terms for their proprietary "Art of War" curriculum. A conditional hiring agreement template is provided.
• Minimum guaranteed annual enrollment is 18 students, with a maximum of 24.
• Student travel will be executed via the Defense Travel System (DTS) and should not be included in quoter estimates.
• The pricing workbook clarifies the base period is for admission/processing, with instruction in option periods. Quoters must update the template.
• Wage determinations for the DC Metro area apply.
• Offer validity period will be amended to 120 days.