Next-Gen Innovators: Amendment 1

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is soliciting proposals under RFP-AFRL-PZLEQ-2026-0002RFP for the Next-Gen Innovators Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, aimed at securing services to support STEM educational initiatives. The procurement is conducted as a full and open competition using the FAR Part 15 Request for Proposal process, with award expected without negotiations, though the Government reserves the right to engage in discussions if deemed necessary. The IDIQ contract will have a five-year ordering period and a six-year total period of performance, extending from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with an estimated maximum value of $60 million. Task Order 1 establishes a minimum guarantee, but no future work is assured beyond this threshold. The work scope includes supervision, personnel, and services related to STEM education, delivered primarily at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, with travel within and outside the continental United States possible as directed by future task orders. Contract types for individual orders may include Firm Fixed Price, Time and Materials, or Labor Hour, with pricing structured across multiple CLINs covering labor, travel, materials, and data delivery. Proposals must be submitted electronically by May 26, 2026, using a strict four-volume format with detailed requirements for company information, experience documentation, small business subcontracting plans, and pricing. Offerors are required to demonstrate experience in similar projects, technologies, and contract types, as well as demonstrated success in hiring STEM apprentices and conducting STEM camps and events. Evaluation is conducted in two phases: first, acceptability of each subfactor is assessed, with failure in any single subfactor resulting in disqualification; second, performance risk is evaluated using Low, Moderate, or High ratings, with non-price factors being significantly more important than price in the Best Value Full Trade-off selection process. The North American Industry Classification System code is 611710 with a $24 million size standard, and foreign participation is prohibited. All deliverables are Government property with unlimited rights; contractors must comply with stringent data handling, distribution statement marking per DoDD 5230.24, and reporting requirements via WAWF. Additional requirements include a mandatory five-day phase-in and phase-out period for personnel, a $100,000 minimum single-purchase capability, strict approval thresholds for