Notice of Intent to Sole Source the Sponsorship to the 2020 National Society of Black Engineers Virtual Convention on August 19-23, 2020

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), plans to negotiate a sole source purchase order with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) to sponsor the 2020 NSBE Virtual Convention scheduled for August 19-23, 2020. This annual event highlights the achievements of Black students and professionals in STEM fields and serves as a platform for over 14,000 attendees, including engineers, educators, and representatives from more than 250 academic institutions, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits. The convention aims to foster collaboration, resource sharing, and problem-solving across a diverse research and development community. The NSF’s sponsorship aligns with its commitment to increasing representation among underrepresented groups in STEM and facilitating engagement with a broad spectrum of professionals and organizations. The notice of intent is issued under FAR 13.106-1(b) and is strictly informational, indicating the intent to proceed without competitive proposals. The contract, identified by solicitation number 49100420Q0141 and associated with NAICS code 813910, is managed by NSF with Angela Johnson as the point of contact. The sole source approach reflects the unique value NSBE brings in connecting NSF to a vital and diverse segment of the STEM community.