Strategic Talent and Assessment Research (STAR) Support

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for technical execution and operations support services for the Strategic Talent and Assessment Research (STAR) Program. The primary goal is to provide non-advisory, hands-on support for operational output, including building, running, and fixing systems.

The contractor will provide a broad range of technical skills essential to the STAR program, including:

• Psychometric expertise
• Programming and database management
• Research design and data analysis
• Assessment development
• Aviation psychology
• Direct software and system engineering

The work will be accomplished through individual Task Orders (TOs) and may involve reassignment of contractor personnel to different projects based on evolving STAR mission needs.

• Task 1: Occupational Requirements Identification and Research Initiatives: Conduct research and analysis to improve person-job assessment and screening, and extract insights from large datasets.
• Task 2: Program Operations and Software System Management: Support Air Force organizations and missions, communicate with various levels of personnel, provide briefings on the Examining Activities program, manage workflows, and ensure implementation of new enlisted assessments.
• Task 3: Psychometrician Support: Provide technical support for testing program measurement databank, conduct analysis, utilize analytical techniques, and design test development projects.
• Task 4: Aviation Psychology Support: Assist in identifying instrumentation for basic aviation skills, develop data collection plans, and write technical reports. This includes knowledge of general cognitive psychology and specific aviation domains.
• Task 5: Programming Support/Database Management & Software Development: Design, develop, test, and deploy custom software applications, manage databases, and perform data analytics.
• Task 6: Research Direct Support: Prepare evidence-based topical papers and provide study support for personnel researchers.
• Task 7: Operational Testing Support: Provide basic knowledge of Air Force organizations and personnel programs, perform periodic maintenance of office equipment, and manage online accounts.
• Task 8: AFPC Business Process Owner (BPO) Assistance: Assist in managing the Test Control Officer (TCO) network, provide procedural guidance, assist with test material inventory, and develop training materials.
• Task 9: Interorganization Collaboration and Research Execution: Develop action plans based on recommendations for Human Capital Management, coordinate group discussions, and support an integrated data/analysis/assessment structure.
• Task 10: Contract Management Support (Non-Advisory): Provide direct contract management, oversight of personnel, and develop Program Management Plans, communication strategies, and reporting.

The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The primary place of performance will be the contractor's facility, with potential travel to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Randolph, TX, other AFPC sites, and Lackland Air Force Base, TX.

• Compliance with various Air Force Instructions (AFIs) and Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements (DFARS).
• Personnel must meet specific qualifications, including PhD in Psychometric for Task 3.
• Adherence to security requirements, including background checks and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
• Contractor personnel must wear Air Force issued Common Access Cards (CACs) and identify themselves as contractors when interacting with government personnel.
• Contractor is responsible for providing necessary tools and equipment, except for standard software installed on Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought (SS)

This RFI/SS seeks information on the availability and capability of qualified small businesses to provide non-personal services for the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) Strategic Research & Assessment Branch (DSYX) at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) – Randolph, Texas. The requirement supports the Strategic Talent & Assessment Research (STAR) Program, which aims to optimize human capital management, mission capability, readiness, reduce attrition, and increase retention through scientific, evidence-based practices. The Service Provider will need to offer expertise in psychometrics, programming, database management, research design, data analysis, assessment development, aviation psychology, and direct software and system engineering.

• Provide technical skills critical to the STAR program.

• Meet all requirements and responsibilities outlined in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) (Attachment 1).

• The Government is contemplating an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a 5-year ordering period.

• Interested parties must complete and submit the attached Contractor Capability Survey (Attachment 2).

• Responses and questions must be emailed to the Contract Specialist, Melissa Gonzalez, at melissa.gonzalez.6@us.af.mil.

• Deadline for submission: 4:00 PM, Central Daylight Time (CDT) on 10 Apr 2026.

• Information is subject to change; interested parties are responsible for checking SAM.gov for updates.

• The Government will determine if a Small Business (SB) set-aside is appropriate based on responses.

• Responding SB firms must provide sufficient written information to demonstrate capability.

• Business types to identify include: Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(A)-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business (8a), Hubzone Small Business (HUBZone), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

• The primary NAICS code is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees.

• This RFI/SS is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a commitment to award a contract.

• No costs incurred in response to this notice will be reimbursed.

• Interested firms must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for payment.

1. Performance Work Statement (PWS)_DRAFT_31 Mar 2026
2. Contractor Capability Survey_31 Mar 2026

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Contractor Capability Survey, serving as a Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice. It requests interested vendors to provide detailed information about their capabilities and capacity to meet the requirements outlined in a draft Performance Work Statement (PWS), which is provided as Attachment 1.

Vendors are instructed to respond to specific numbered questions, including:

1. Company Information: Name, address, POC, contact details, CAGE code, UEI, and business size/socio-economic status (e.g., Small Business, SDVOSB, HUBZone) relative to NAICS code 541715.
2. Capability Description: Evidence of the company's ability to provide the support required by the draft PWS.
3. Past Experience: Details of relevant prime or subcontractor experience within the last 5 years, including contract numbers, dollar values, and performed services.
4. Contracting Vehicles: List of any existing contract vehicles (e.g., GSA MAS, OASIS) applicable to the draft PWS scope.

Responses should demonstrate that competition would be advantageous, cost, and time-prohibitive. The survey requires specific formatting (Word/PDF, Times New Roman 12pt, single-spaced, 1-inch margins) and has a page limit of 8 pages. Responses are due by 4:00 PM CDT on April 10, 2026, and must be submitted electronically to melissa.gonzalez.6@us.af.mil.