U -- HACU - SPONSORSHIP OF INTERNS

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to issue sole source purchase orders to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to participate in their summer internship program. This action aligns with Executive Order 13171, Section 2(g), and the Office of Personnel Management's Nine-Point Plan, specifically point #4, supporting the inclusion of Hispanic-serving institutions and enhancing diversity in government internships. The notice is not a solicitation for proposals or quotes but serves as an announcement of the FDA's intent to award the contract without full and open competition. Interested vendors with the necessary capabilities are invited to submit their qualifications electronically by April 10, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. to be considered; however, the government retains full discretion on whether to compete the contract based on responses. The solicitation, titled "U -- HACU - SPONSORSHIP OF INTERNS," corresponds to NAICS code 611710 and reflects a focused effort to sponsor internships through HACU, thereby fostering talent development in a key demographic. Contact points for this contract include Roberta M. Richardson and Contract Specialist Terry F. Frederick, both reachable via email, who manage inquiries related to the sponsorship. The contract demonstrates the FDA's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce by leveraging established partnerships with Hispanic educational organizations.