U099 - U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC)Consortium for Integrated Academic Solutions (CIAS)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions submitted by potential offerors regarding the solicitation for partner institutions to provide academic programs.

• Program Offerings: USNCC seeks partner institutions that can offer stackable credentials within associate degree programs, incorporating 15 hours of Navy transfer credit. Embedded certificates are encouraged, as are standalone certificate opportunities.
• Associate Degrees: Institutions must be able to offer associate degrees, which is a core contractual requirement.
• "Future" Programs: Programs listed as "Future" are illustrative of potential expansion areas, not firm commitments. USNCC currently offers Logistics and AI programs, with others under consideration.
• Proposal Deadlines: The entire proposal submission, including Phase I, Phase II, Volumes I, and II, is due on April 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
• Volume III: Any reference to Volume III has been removed; only Volumes I and II exist.
• Pricing: Cost per registration is expected, not a contract maximum or headcount projection.
• Data Requirements: Weekly data submissions (admissions, enrollment, course registration, performance metrics) are required starting upon program launch.
• Certificates: The term "certificate" refers to academic certificates (e.g., a six-course, 18-credit program), not industry certifications.

Several clarifications were made regarding proposal submission deadlines, document volumes, and the nature of required academic programs and credentials. Offerors should note that the entire proposal package is due April 30, 2026, and that associate degrees are a mandatory offering. The definition of "certificate" has also been clarified to mean academic certificates.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0002) to solicitation N0018926RB002 modifies the original solicitation dated March 20, 2026.

Key changes include:

• Contract Ceiling: Clarifies that successful offerors will receive an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a preestablished maximum ceiling of $342,000,000. The Government will consider offeror's credit hour rates, applicable fees, materials, and fully burdened rates for program management and IT Data Support CLINs for source selection, best-value tradeoff, and price analysis.

• Page Limitations: Revises page limitation instructions for Volume I (Non-Price Proposal). The total page limit for Volume I remains 37 pages, inclusive of all content. Specific page limits for evaluation factors are detailed:

  • Institutional Characteristics: 5 pages
  • Performance Approach: 8 pages
  • Academic Capabilities: 18 pages
  • Past Performance: 6 pages
  • Note: Offerors may propose up to 18 distinct academic fields, with each field detailed on a single page within the 18-page limit for Academic Capabilities.

• Questions & Answers (Q&A): Amends Q&A items 19 and 20. Refer to the amended page limitations for guidance.

• Attachments: Notes that Attachment IV (pricing sheet) and Attachment V (Q&A) are uploaded to the attachments section on sam.gov.

• Section L - Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters (specifically FAR 52.212-1 "Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services")

• Volume I - Non-Price Proposal Submission Guidelines

• Attachment IV (Pricing Sheet)

• Attachment V (Q&A)

• Proposal Submission: Proposals are due electronically via email by 4:00 PM Philadelphia Time on April 30, 2026. Other delivery methods are not accepted. Emails must not exceed 10 MBs; multiple emails should be used if necessary and labeled accordingly.

• Questions Deadline: Questions are due by 12:00 PM Philadelphia Time on April 7, 2026.

• Evaluation: The selection process involves two phases: Phase I (Institutional Characteristics) and Phase II (Performance Approach, Academic Capabilities, Past Performance, and Price). Non-price factors are considered significantly more important than price. Best-value award will be based on Phase II factors. Offerors rated less than "Acceptable" in Phase I are ineligible for award. Offerors rated less than "Acceptable" in Performance Approach or Academic Capabilities in Phase II are ineligible for award.

• Contract Term: The contract will consist of a five-year ordering period commencing August 1, 2026 (or date of award), plus a potential six-month option under FAR 52.217-8.

• Pricing: The price proposal (Volume II) is not page-limited but must contain specific pricing information, including a completed SF 1449 and Attachment I "Pricing Spreadsheet." Pricing must be firm for 180 days. An economic price adjustment clause will be included. A price realism analysis will not be conducted.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing pricing information for the US Naval Community College Consortium of Integrated Academic Services opportunity. It details estimated costs for various courses across multiple ordering periods (OPs) and years.

• Summary Sheet: Provides an overview of the Period of Performance (POP), Fiscal Year (FY), student counts, seat counts, and estimated costs (USD) for base year through a 6-month ordering period. Note: Many cost fields show '#REF!' indicating potential calculation errors or missing data.
• CLIN Sheets (0001-0005): Each sheet (CLIN 0001 for Year 1, CLIN 0002 for Year 2, etc., up to a 6-Month Addendum) breaks down costs by Partner Institution, Program, CLIN, Course, Course Seats, Tuition, Instruction Materials, Term Fees, Annual Fees, Graduation Fees, Normalized Cost, Credits/Course, Total Cost, New Seats, Students, and Old Seats.
• Course Offerings: Includes specific courses like Military Studies, Organizational Leadership, Maritime Logistics, Emergency Management, Nuclear Technology, Engineering Fundamentals, Cyber Security, Aviation Maintenance, and Competency Based Education. Some entries are marked as 'TBD' for future years.
• Program Management & IT/Data Support: These are listed as standard CLINs across various sheets.

This pricing sheet is crucial for bidders to understand the estimated costs associated with providing academic services. Bidders should review the detailed breakdowns to inform their own pricing strategies and ensure their proposals align with the government's expectations. The presence of '#REF!' in many cost fields suggests that bidders may need to perform their own calculations or seek clarification on the intended pricing structure.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions and answers related to a solicitation for partner institutions to provide associate degree programs and certificates to US Naval Community College (USNCC) students.

• Program Offerings: USNCC seeks institutions offering stackable credentials within associate degree programs, incorporating 15 hours of Navy transfer credit. Embedded or standalone certificates are encouraged.
• Associate Degrees: Institutions must be able to offer associate degrees, which is a core contractual requirement.
• "Future" Programs: Programs listed as "Future" in the CIAS – Academic Program Classification are illustrative of potential expansion, not firm commitments. USNCC currently offers Logistics and Artificial Intelligence programs.
• Proposal Deadlines: The entire proposal submission (Phase I, Phase II, Volumes I and II) is due on April 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Previous deadlines mentioned (April 21, May 5) are superseded.
• Volume III: Any reference to Volume III in the solicitation has been removed; proposals consist of Volume I (Non-Price) and Volume II (Price).
• Pricing Spreadsheet: A specific Excel template for pricing will be provided via Amendment 0002 and labeled Attachment IV.
• Past Performance: Past performance information is not limited to contracts with the Navy and does not have to be within the last five years.
• Page Limits: Phase I and Phase II forms are part of Volume I and count towards the page limitation.
• Data Sharing: Secure SFTP/CSV exchange is acceptable initially, with the intention of transitioning to API-based automation.

This Q&A document clarifies key aspects of the solicitation, including proposal submission requirements, deadlines, program offerings, and evaluation factors, providing essential guidance for potential bidders.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation N0018926RB002, dated 20 March 2026, makes the following changes:

• Questions and Answers: Provides vendor clarification responses as Attachment V.

• Section M Clarification: Clarifies Section M of the solicitation. Offerors will be required to submit an Excel spreadsheet as part of "Volume II Price Proposal," which will be included as Attachment IV in a forthcoming Amendment 0002.

• Solicitation Language Updates: Updates to the language in solicitation sections L and M.

• Response Due Date and Time: The response due date has been extended from 21 April 2026 to 30 April 2026. The response due time has been extended from 12:00 PM to 04:00 PM.

• Solicitation Sections L and M have been updated.

• Section A - Solicitation/Contract Form (Response Due Date and Time)

• The proposal submission deadline has been extended to 30 April 2026 at 4:00 PM Philadelphia Time.

• Offerors are instructed to submit proposals electronically via email to john.d.favata.civ@us.navy.mil.

• Proposals must be in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel) formats, unlocked and searchable.

• Each email submission must not exceed 10 MBs; multiple emails may be used.

• Questions concerning the solicitation are due no later than 12:00 PM Philadelphia Time on 07 April 2026.

• Attachment IV (Pricing Spreadsheet) will be provided in Amendment 0002.

• The solicitation intends to award multiple task order contracts for the same or similar supplies or services up to 15 sources.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment I: Secure Data Sharing Technical Requirements," outlines the technical requirements for secure data sharing between the United States Naval Community College (USNCC) and its awarded contractors (Partner Institutions/PIs). It details the processes, responsibilities, and obligations for sharing student academic data.

• Data Sharing Methods: Initially, both Tier 1 and Tier 2 institutions will use Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). A transition to Application Programming Interface (API) based data sharing is planned once USNCC implements API functionality.
• Partner Institution Tiers: PIs are classified into Tier 1 (initially SFTP, transitioning to API) and Tier 2 (initially SFTP, with a gradual shift to automated transfers).
• Roles and Responsibilities: Outlines the duties of the USNCC Data Team and the Partner Institution regarding data sharing, including establishing guidelines, data format and submission, accuracy, security protocols, and API transition planning.
• Data Sharing Integration Phases: Details a six-phase process (Onboarding, Implementation, GO/NOGO, Execution) with specific activities, deliverables, and timelines.
• Security and Compliance: Emphasizes adherence to FISMA, DFARS, and other relevant regulations for data security and confidentiality.
• Data Dictionary: Specifies the use of a USNCC Data Dictionary for standardized data definitions and formats, with regular updates planned.
• Points of Contact: Provides a list of USNCC contacts responsible for data sharing implementation.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it defines the technical framework, security requirements, and operational processes for data sharing that will be expected of contractors. Understanding these requirements is essential for developing compliant proposals and for successful execution of the contract, particularly concerning data handling, security, and integration timelines. It highlights the phased approach to data sharing and the eventual move towards API integration, which may impact system development and resource allocation for the contractor.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment II: Academic Program Classification," provides a classification of academic programs offered or planned by the United States Community College (USNCC) for the Consortium for Integrate Academic Solutions (CIAS). It is intended to outline the academic fields and associated degrees and certificates.

• The document lists various academic FIELDS, adapted from the National Centers for Educational Statistics' (NCES) Classification of Instructional Programs.
• For each field, it details associated Associate Degrees and Certificates, indicating whether they are currently operating or planned (marked with **).
• Fields covered include: Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Education; Engineering and related fields; Mathematics and Statistics; Military Science, Leadership and Operational Art; Military Technologies and Applied Sciences; Physical Sciences; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services; Construction Trades; Transportation and Materials Moving; and Health Professions and Related Programs.

This document is relevant to bidders as it defines the academic program architecture. Potential bidders may need to understand this classification to align their proposals or services with the educational offerings and future plans of the USNCC/CIAS, particularly if the opportunity involves curriculum development, educational services, or technology related to these academic fields.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for contractors to provide academic programs and services to support the United States Naval Community College (USNCC) Consortium for Integrated Academic Solutions (CIAS). The primary goal is to foster the growth of high-quality, naval-relevant programs that are accessible, low-cost, and scalable for maritime services.

• Provide personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, and non-personal services necessary for academic programs and services.

• Offer approximately 15-20 different associate degrees, as well as embedded and stand-alone certificates, micro-credentials, and courses in technical and non-technical fields.

• Expand the USNCC Consortium by contracting with qualified higher education institutions.

• Develop programs aligned with the USNCC mission and vision, focusing on warfighting advantage and operational readiness.

• Programs are designed in a modular fashion, with certificates stackable towards associate degrees.

• Associate degrees will consist of a Naval Studies Certificate, Intellectual Skills courses, and Professional Certificates.

• Offer online, asynchronous delivery for associate degrees and professional certificates.

• Provide non-degree programs and courses.

• Support academic services including admissions, enrollment, student support, and academic advising.

• Maintain accreditation of academic institutions and programs.

• Maximize transfer credit acceptance.

• Provide digital instructional materials.

• Maintain a student:faculty ratio of no more than 25:1.

• Deliver courses at a minimum of three terms per academic year.

• Ensure timely submission of deliverables, including instructional materials, transcripts, audits, graduation services, program management plans, progress reports, and policies.

• The contract is for a Multiple Award Contract (MAC) with firm-fixed-price, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) awards.

• Services are to be provided to a globally deployed force, implying a need for remote and online delivery.

• Programs must be naval-relevant and leverage the latest military and industry trends.

• Partner institutions must be recognized for their excellence and hold relevant accreditations.

• Commitment to student access, success, and comprehensive support is required.

• Robust credit for prior learning (CPL), including military training and experience, must be offered.

• Emphasis on building accessibility, transparency, and equitable environments for students.

• Data sharing and integration protocols must be established.

• Adherence to FERPA and data security standards is mandatory.

• Contractors must provide a transition plan for students and continuity of services.

• Contractors must provide a teach-out plan in case of program discontinuation or institutional closure.

Amendment / Modification

This document, "Addendum I.pdf," appears to be an amendment or addendum to a larger agreement. It details the establishment and purpose of the United States Naval Community College (USNCC) and its aim to form educational associations with higher education institutions. Key aspects include:

• Establishment of USNCC: Formally established in 2020, with conditional degree-granting authority granted in December 2021 via the National Defense Authorization Act.
• Consortium Model: USNCC seeks to partner with accredited institutions to offer online, asynchronous undergraduate education programs, increasing opportunities for enlisted personnel.
• Phased Approach: The agreement outlines two phases: Pre-Candidacy Status (where partner institutions are primary degree-grantors) and Post-Candidacy Status (where USNCC becomes the primary degree-grantor).
• Definitions: The document provides definitions for key terms such as Articulation Agreement, Consortium Program, Effective Date, Evaluated Education Plan, and Home Institution.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Details the roles of Home Institutions, Host Institutions, Teaching Institutions, and Partner Institutions in areas like accreditation, course assessment, faculty qualifications, and student support.
• Credit Acceptance: Outlines policies for evaluating and awarding transfer credits, including those from military training and prior learning experiences, referencing ACE Guide and JST.
• Term and Termination: Specifies the agreement's duration (7 years) and conditions for termination.

This addendum likely modifies or supplements an existing "Consortium Agreement Working Document" by providing detailed operational, definitional, and policy information related to the USNCC's partnerships.

This document does not appear to be a solicitation, therefore, there are no direct impacts on proposal submission deadlines or evaluation factors. It serves to clarify the framework and operational details of the USNCC's educational consortium.

Other / Unclassified

This document outlines the "English 101: Introduction to Composition for the Naval Service Member" course. It is an eight-week course designed to provide students with foundational composition skills for college-level writing and their military careers.

This document details the objectives and learning outcomes for a specific course. It is relevant to bidders if the opportunity involves providing instruction or curriculum development for this or similar English composition courses for naval service members.

Other / Unclassified

This document outlines the curriculum for the USNCC Naval Studies Certificate program, detailing the overview, course descriptions, and student learning outcomes for five courses: NAV101 Naval Ethics & Leadership, NAV102 Modern Naval History, NAV103 Naval Force Design, NAV104 Civilian/Military Organization and Policies, and NAV105 Introduction to the Geopolitical Environment.

This document provides detailed information about the academic content and learning objectives for courses within the USNCC Naval Studies Certificate. Potential bidders interested in providing instruction or curriculum development services for this program would find this document highly relevant for understanding the scope and requirements of the educational offerings.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a questionnaire designed to gather detailed information about institutions applying to partner with the USNCC (United States Naval Community College). It collects data on institutional characteristics, capabilities, and academic offerings.

• Institutional Characteristics: Questions cover the level of offerings (certificates, associate's, bachelor's), institutional control, service to veterans, accreditation, student enrollment (overall and online), and calendar systems.
• Multi-institution Characteristics: Inquiries about participation in larger agreements, central support for academic services, coordinated activities, and decentralized models.
• Institutional Capabilities: Details on baseline capabilities including modality (online/asynchronous), admission policies, virtual labs, articulation of Naval Studies courses, four-year pathways, consortium agreements, and technology/data capabilities (SFTP, CSV export).
• General Capabilities: Focuses on the institution's ability to scale programs, year-round course availability, frequent starts, customization of degree plans, embedded/standalone certificate courses, professional accreditation, industry certifications, transfer credit policies (military service, ACE recommendations), digital materials availability, and student support.
• Technology/Data: Specific questions regarding sending/receiving files via SFTP/APIs, reliance on external systems, and dedicated technical staff.

This form is crucial for institutions interested in partnering with the USNCC. Bidders must accurately complete all sections to demonstrate their qualifications, capabilities, and alignment with the USNCC's mission and operational requirements. The responses will likely form a significant part of the evaluation process for potential partners.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a form for submitting academic degrees and certificates for consideration as part of an academic program classification, specifically related to the USNCC Academic Program Classification. It requires detailed information about associate degrees and certificates awarded or to be awarded.

• Degrees/Certificates Submitted for Consideration: A table to list academic fields, degree titles, degree types (AS/AAS), certificate titles, and certificate types.
• Degree(s), Certificate(s) Details: A detailed section for each degree or certificate, requiring information such as:
  • Degree/Certificate Type and Title
  • Institution/College
  • Program status (current/future) and enrollment details
  • Total Credits
  • Degree/Certificate Requirements/Courses (with links to program plans or websites)
  • Specialized accreditation
  • Embedded industry certifications and their pricing.
• Instructions: Clear guidance is provided on how to complete the form, including expanding tables for multiple entries and providing specific details for each degree or certificate.

This form is crucial for bidders who need to demonstrate the academic qualifications of their personnel or the educational programs they offer, particularly if the opportunity requires specific degrees or certifications. Bidders must accurately complete this form to align with the requirements outlined in Attachment II (USNCC Academic Program Classification) and to support their proposal's compliance with educational or credentialing stipulations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Corporate Experience and Past Performance Information Form" intended for offerors to provide details about their past performance on contracts. This information is crucial for the government to evaluate the offeror's ability to successfully perform the work described in the solicitation.

• Name of Offeror
• Contract Number, order number, or identifier
• Customer Name & Location
• Customer Point of Contact (Name & Title, Telephone, e-mail)
• Total dollar amount for the effort during the past five (5) years (or annual estimated and actual orders for ordering vehicles)
• Number of personnel (FTE) performing per year (average)
• Period of Performance (From/To)
• Detailed description of the work performed (sufficient to demonstrate relevance, including security clearance and SAPs if applicable)
• Quality, delivery, or cost problem(s), corrective actions taken, and their effectiveness
• Subcontractor(s) Utilized (description of work extent and annual dollar value)

Offerors must complete this form accurately and thoroughly to provide evidence of their relevant past performance. The details submitted will be used by the government to assess the offeror's experience and likelihood of success on the current opportunity. Failure to provide complete information may negatively impact the evaluation.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "SUMMARY OF REVIEW RESULTS" from the USNCC Consortium of Integrated Academic Services, detailing ACE Credit Recommendations for the USNCC Naval Studies Certificate. It lists several courses with their corresponding ACE ID, Course Title, Start Date, End Date, Length, and New Credit recommendations (VC, LD, UD, GD).

This document is relevant to potential bidders as it outlines specific naval studies courses and their recommended academic credit. This information could be crucial for understanding the educational components and potential credit equivalencies related to the opportunity, particularly if the opportunity involves training, education, or curriculum development within the naval studies domain.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the continued development and expansion of the U.S. Naval Community College Consortium for Integrated Academic Solutions (CIAS). The objective is to support the strategic growth and outreach of USNCC by providing high-quality, naval-relevant academic programs for maritime services that are accessible, low-cost, and scalable. The program envisions offering approximately 15-20 associate degrees, certificates, micro-credentials, and courses in technical and non-technical fields.

• Development and expansion of academic programs and services.

• Provision of academic programs leading to associate degrees, certificates, and micro-credentials.

• Support for maritime services through accessible, low-cost, and scalable educational offerings.

• This is a Multiple Award Contract (MAC) with an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) structure.

• The ordering period is from August 1, 2026, or date of award (whichever is later), through 60 months thereafter.

• An option for an additional six months of performance is included (CLIN 0002).

• The contract minimum quantity is $500.00 worth of orders per contract.

• The contract maximum for an individual contractor is to be inserted at time of award.

• The overall MAC program maximum is to be inserted at time of award.

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price.

• Proposals are due by 12:00 PM Philadelphia Time on April 21, 2026.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the solicitation point of contact.

• Proposals are to be submitted in two volumes: Volume I (Non-Price Proposal) and Volume II (Price Proposal).

• Evaluation will be conducted in two phases: Phase I (Institutional Characteristics) and Phase II (Performance Approach, Academic Capabilities, Past Performance, and Price).

• Non-price factors are considered significantly more important than price.

• A "Best Value/Trade-Off" source selection process will be utilized.

• Questions concerning the solicitation are due by 12:00 PM Philadelphia Time on April 7, 2026.

• The acquisition is listed as "Unrestricted."

• Specific small business set-aside information is not detailed in the initial pages, but numerous FAR and DFARS clauses related to small business concerns are incorporated.

• Numerous FAR and DFARS clauses are incorporated by reference and in full text, covering topics such as cybersecurity, contract administration, representations and certifications, and evaluation criteria.

• Attachment I (USNCC CIAS PWS) is referenced for detailed requirements.