R--STEM Roundtables in Indian Country

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Economic Impact and Diversity intends to award a sole source contract to American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). The requirement consists of coordinating a series of three roundtable discussions, which will convene key stakeholders to explore and recommend strategies to more effectively encourage American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) education fields. DOE plays a key role in educating the Nation?s STEM workforce. The statutory authority for permitting other than full and open competition for this contract is the Competition in Contracting Act, 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) and implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), which authorizes other than full and open competition when there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. AIHEC is the only source uniquely qualified to perform the services desired by the Department of Energy given their expertise and experience as the primary nationally recognized organization of exclusive membership of Tribal Colleges and Universities. Through their consortium membership, AIHEC is uniquely positioned to attract the stakeholders and students the in which the roundtables are targeted for participation. This award will not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. This is a notice of intent and not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation is available for this requirement. If a firm believes that DOE should not pursue this sole source procurement with American Indian Higher Education Consortium, then they should submit a capability statement and pricing information for the requirement by 12:00pm EST on April 14, 2015. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The anticipated period of performance will be for 6-months.