Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) / Request for Information (RFI) Reference Number: MDA21DVRFI013 “MDA STEM Outreach Program” DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10719 (2 Mar 21) 1.0. General Information: This notice constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)/Request for Information (RFI) as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10.002(b)(2)(iii) and 15.201(e) for market research purposes only. This SSS/RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. Please do not include any proprietary or funding information in any documents submitted for review. Proprietary information is neither sought nor desired by MDA. If such information is submitted, it must clearly be marked “proprietary” on every sheet containing such information, and the proprietary information must be segregated to the maximum extent practicable from other portions of the response (e.g., use an attachment or exhibit). Respondents are responsible for adequately marking propriety information contained in their response. Any submitted material is subject to review by non-government personnel with non-disclosure agreements. The Government may use third party, non-Government (i.e., contractor) support personnel as subject matter experts in the review of responses received, including the review of any marked or unmarked proprietary information provided. These personnel are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary information. A submission of a response to this SSS/RFI constitutes the Respondent’s acknowledgement and agreement that the information provided in the response, including any marked or unmarked proprietary or source selection information, may be disclosed to these third party, non-Government support personnel. Respondents should note that no funding has been specifically reserved, authorized, appropriated, or received for any acquisition under this SSS/RFI announcement. The Government is soliciting voluntary SSS/RFI Capability Statements only. All costs associated with responding to the SSS/RFI and any follow-up information requests shall be solely at the responding party’s expense. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with preparing or submitting the requested information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this SSS/RFI. The information provided may be used in developing an acquisition strategy, a statement of work, statement of objectives, or a performance work statement. Some information resulting from this SSS/RFI may eventually be included in one or more RFPs, which may be released to industry. Respondents are advised that the MDA is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this SSS/RFI. 2.0. Background: The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program Office (MDA/STEM) is soliciting information and potential sources from educational institutions (educational agencies, colleges, universities and any other nonprofit institutions dedicated to improving STEM education) with the technical capabilities to sustain and provide a continuum of high-impact, hands-on learning protocols to significantly improve interests in STEM and STEM-based careers, thereby growing the number of future scientists and engineers. Interested parties should be versed in supporting Department of Defense (DoD) STEM-based (K-12) outreach programs, preferably in accompaniment with certified instructors. Of great interest is proficiency in engineering and design based curriculums, which align with new technologies. Responders are encouraged to draw upon past classroom experience (traditional and virtual) with emphasis on competency and versatility. The MDA/STEM serves as an educational liaison unit for the agency. MDA STEM's goal is to implement signature programs that fill STEM Education gaps based on national defense needs and collaborate in STEM supported events to inspire, cultivate, and enhance STEM engagement across a three-tiered target group (K-12, college, and educators) to prepare the next generation of STEM professionals. This SSS/RFI will expand upon the MDA initiative to develop and operate STEM education programs to prepare the next generation of STEM professionals to solve future missile defense challenges in the DoD, industry, and academia. 3.0. Operational SSS/RFI Questions and Areas of Interest: A response to this SSS/RFI shall be in the form of a Capability Statement (see Section 4.0 for format). Please provide insights to the questions/areas of interest below based on current experiences and/or area of expertise: 3.1: Briefly describe knowledge of the DoD STEM mission and how you can contribute. 3.2: As an educational institution, what STEM-based hands-on educational training has been delivered in the last decade with: (a) K-12 students via outreach initiatives, (b) teacher professional development via outreach initiatives? 3.3: Describe the delivery of the STEM-based educational training (classroom, one-on-on, traditional, virtual, etc.) and how assessments are employed to ensure learning objectives were met. 3.4: Describe experience supporting DoD STEM outreach programs within an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) accredited entity or professional organization. List programs and age groups. 3.5: Describe the current curriculum exercised for STEM (K-12). 3.6: Describe DoD STEM-based outreach educational training delivered as part of an approved (K-12) school curriculum where students receive credits. How many credits earned? 3.7: Describe DoD (K-12) outreach educational training delivered in classrooms as an integrated part of the standard school day throughout the calendar year. Not after school programs, weekend activities, or summer camps. 3.8: Describe experience in DoD STEM (K-12) outreach programs supported across multiple states and school systems. 3.9: Describe experience in the support of DoD STEM-based outreach programs long or short term (in the last decade)? Name DoD programs and provide an accounting of work performed with emphasis on engineering. 3.10: Describe the professional credentials of the staff/personnel employed in outreach endeavors (degrees, certifications with emphasis on engineering). Distinguish between fulltime and part-time staffing. Does staff/personnel travel local and nationally in support of DoD STEM-based initiatives? If so, give examples. 3.11: Provide a brief summary of the Principal Investigator’s (PI) educational credentials, work, and project management experience. (A single paragraph is adequate). 3.12: Provide a brief summary of institutional experience in program management addressing budget and execution of Government contracts. 3.13: As an educational institution, describe what provisions you provide in support of STEM (i.e., facility, training materials, classroom supplies, equipment, tools, and computers/labs) to teach STEM-based concepts. 3.14: Describe experience in reaching underrepresented entities ages (K-12) and encouraging STEM-based interests (within the last decade). 4.0. Submission Instructions: The Government is requesting respondents that believe they can address the questions/areas of interest noted in Section 3.0 of this SSS/RFI to provide sufficient information in the form of a Capability Statement that demonstrates current experience (within 10 years) of providing efforts noted. Interested sources are requested to submit a brief summary of demonstrated capabilities (no more than 50 pages total) that addresses each of the items listed in Sections 3.0 and 4.0. All capabilities must be provided within the confines of the page limits provided. The response shall include previous scenarios and examples of past projects and deliverables that demonstrate experience and success in each of the interest areas. If a particular interest area falls outside of previous experience, it should be acknowledged as being new and include a description of how it would be approached. Interested sources shall provide responses in the following Capabilities format: 4.1: Institution Information: 4.1.1: Institution Name 4.1.2: Mailing Address and Website 4.1.3: Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code 4.1.4: Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number 4.1.5: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 4.1.6: Location of facility(s) 4.1.7: Institution Business Size (if small business include any socioeconomic category) 4.2: Institution Representative(s)/Person(s) Responding to SSS/RFI: 4.2.1: Name(s) 4.2.2: Title(s) 4.2.3: Institution Responsibility/Position 4.2.4: Telephone Number/Fax Number 4.2.5: Email Address 4.3: Core Competencies: 4.3.1: Briefly describe your institution's demonstrated core competencies or existing expertise. 4.3.2: Briefly describe any unique capabilities, certifications and/or resources your institution possesses. 4.4: Differentiators: 4.4.1: Briefly describe any institutional unique factors and benefits that differentiate you from other institutions/programs. 4.4.2: Briefly describe what makes institutional program(s) innovative and how this will lead to higher levels of student achievement. 4.5: Past Performance: 4.5.1: Briefly discuss your organization’s capacity to successfully partner with public schools and provide details on successful past performance. 4.5.2: Briefly describe the program(s) and benefits received from your participation. 4.6: Responses to SSS/RFI Questions and Areas of Interest (Section 3.0): 4.7: All responses must be in PDF electronic format and emailed to
[email protected]. All responses must be received not later than April 9, 2021, 16:00 PM CDT. Responses shall be marked as follows: “MDA STEM Outreach Program SSS/RFI,” and include the reference number indicated above. Typed format for responses shall be no smaller than Times New Roman 12 point font with one-inch margins on top, bottom, and sides. Submission of any propriety and other sensitive information must be identified and marked appropriately. Submitted material will not be returned. The response should contain the following cover information: 4.7.1: SSS/RFI Title 4.7.2: Institution name 4.7.3: Address 4.7.4: Institution point of contact (POC) name 4.7.5: Email address 4.7.6: Institution phone number 5.0. Questions: Questions concerning this SSS/RFI should be submitted electronically to
[email protected]. Email correspondence should include “MDA STEM Outreach Program SSS/RFI” and the reference number indicated above in the subject line. All information received in response to this SSS/RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly, and responses to this SSS/RFI will not be returned. These questions and the Government’s responses may be made available to industry. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted.