SOLICITATION NOTICE
99 -- ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN NASA SUMMER OF INNOVATIONPROJECT
- Notice Date
- 8/2/2010
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 611710
— Educational Support Services
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NNH10ZNE010O
- Response Due
- 9/3/2010
- Archive Date
- 8/2/2011
- Point of Contact
- Dovie Lacy, NASA Summer of Innovation Project Manager, Phone 202-358-7229, Fax 202-358-7097, Email soipartners@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Dovie Lacy
(soipartners@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NASA/HQ plans to issue an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to Participate in NASA'sSummer of Innovation Project.Statement of PurposeThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks to identify potentialpartners for its Summer of Innovation (SoI; http://www.nasa.gov/soi ) project. SoI usesNASAs mission to engage middle school students and teachers in stimulating math andscience-based education experiences during the summer months. NASA is engaging thenations middle school youth in intensive and exciting science, technology, engineeringand mathematics (STEM) experiences that will have an impact on their academicperformance, choice of STEM coursework, degree programs, and eventually career path. SoIhas a particular emphasis on broadening participation of underrepresented minority,underserved, and underperforming students. This announcement requests information fromparties interested in participating in SoI. NASA is looking for partners to develop creative ways to help achieve one or more SoIgoals and to increase the impact and visibility of SoI. NASA will enter into a limitednumber of partnerships that reflect NASAs mission, values and goals. The types ofactivities, events, products, or services are limitless. Respondents will be responsiblefor financing their own activities, no NASA funding is available for this purpose. Partnership with SoI will be contingent upon selection by NASA and negotiation of anappropriate agreement between NASA and the respondent that will define the roles andresponsibilities of the parties. It is intended that this announcement may also result in other types of collaborationsbetween NASA and respondent organizations that do not require negotiation of an agreementbetween NASA and the respondent organization. Respondent organizations not identified as potential partners or collaborators throughthis announcement may participate in SoI as described on the SoI Web site under GetInvolved.This announcement does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that NASA willtake procurement or other action in this matter. Further, neither NASA nor the FederalGovernment will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing the informationrequested in this announcement.Summer of Innovation BackgroundIn January 2010, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced the Summer of Innovation, anew NASA project to improve the STEM skills and abilities of American students as part ofa broader national priority. Administrator Boldens announcement came in direct responseto President Obamas Educate to Innovate campaign for excellence in STEM education. Thecampaign seeks to engage students and teachers of all ages, families, community groups,and the broader public in STEM learning. This campaign includes efforts not only of theFederal Government, but also companies, foundations, non-profits, and science andengineering societies to work with young people across America to excel in science andmath. SoI is an intensive STEM teaching and learning project conducted during the summer. SoIengages middle school students and their teachers in challenging, interactive experiencesover multiple weeks and includes follow-on learning activities during the school yearthat are supported by a STEM learning community. SoI is currently planned to extendthrough December 2012. Summer of Innovation Vision Inspire the nation with an innovative education project. Engage Americans in NASAs mission, and strengthen NASA and the Nations futureworkforce. Serve as a catalyst to expand, align, and strengthen existing state-based STEM learningnetworks. Maximize learning and development outcomes to keep students on pathways to learning andlife success. Partner with organizations to ensure that summer learning experiences are available toall students. Increase the chances that all children can meet high academic standards, achieve inschool, and succeed in the competitive 21st century global society.Summer of Innovation Goals Engage middle school students and teachers in intensive and interactive experiencesthat accelerate underrepresented, underserved, and under-performing student learning andimproves students STEM skills and knowledge. Provide professional development and training opportunities for educators leadingstudents in summer learning. Infuse NASA content and educational resources into evidence-based programs. Build a community of STEM education stakeholders able to sustain student engagement andaccelerate student achievement. Assess the effectiveness of project activities. Align SoI instructional content with district and/or state standards. Provide students and teachers with ongoing STEM engagement.Target AudienceThe target audience for SoI is middle school students who are underrepresented,underserved, and/or underperforming in STEM disciplines along with the teachers who servethem. Partnership OpportunitiesNASA recognizes the power of strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships to improveefficiency and maximize impact. NASA seeks unfunded partnerships with organizations tohelp achieve SoI goals, enhance its ability to reach its audiences and build nationalmomentum for SoI. Potential partnership activities are varied. NASA is receptive to a wide range ofcreative possibilities. Categories of involvement may include, but are not limited to:1. Dissemination of NASA Education Resources: NASA seeks to partner with STEM informaland formal learning institutions, including summer learning entities, libraries, andafter school learning organizations, to infuse NASA education resources into existingsummer programs for middle school students or professional development opportunities forteachers who lead students through summer activities. NASA also seeks partners tocomplement summer learning experiences through continued student engagement beyond thesummer months. 2. Education Resource Development: NASA seeks to partner with organizations to developinnovative middle school learning activities for SoI. Learning activities should bechallenging and engaging and appropriate for summer learning settings. 3. National Momentum for SoI:NASA seeks partner organizations, including entities notalready engaged in STEM education or research, to improve visibility of SoI and buildexcitement for summer learning, STEM education, and STEM careers on a national scale. 4. Multimedia Communications:NASA seeks partner organizations to create and manageinnovative activities and Web 2.0 sites for the purpose of engaging the public inSTEM-related shared multimedia experiences. Possibilities in this category include, butare not limited to, online challenges, interactive games, social networking, publicservice announcements, activities focused on music, and dynamic multimedia teaching andlearning experiences. EligibilityRespondents may include, but are not limited to: for-profit companies, universities andother academic institutions, libraries, informal or non-profit organizations,professional or public organizations, and Federal agencies.Threshold RequirementsSubmissions must demonstrate the following threshold requirements to be considered: The mission, vision, and values of the respondent organization complements the SoIvision; The proposed activity(ies) have the potential to reach target audience on a regional ornational scale; and The level of NASA assets and resources, such as people, content and facilities,requested for the collaboration is commensurate with the level of value and benefitsoffered to NASA.Submission DetailsSubmissions should not include any proprietary information. NASA will share submissions with NASA employees and NASA contractors for review purposesfor SoI and related NASA education programs. Responses to this announcement should be no more than six pages in length and submittedin Adobe PDF format. The first page of the submission should be an overview of the proposed activity(ies) andinclude: Name of respondent organization; Title of the proposed activity(ies); Brief description of proposed activity(ies); and Summary of how proposed activity(ies) meets each of the threshold requirements.The remaining five pages should include: Title of proposed activity(ies); Description of proposed activity (ies); Explanation of how the proposed activity(ies) will help NASA achieve one or more SoIgoals; Identification of target audience(s) and summary of anticipated reach; Clear statement of how the mission, vision, and values of the respondent organizationcomplements the SoI vision; Description of NASA assets and resources, such as people, content and facilities,needed for the proposed activity(ies); Description of how success of proposed activity(ies) could be measured; Timeline for the proposed activity(ies); Summary of the respondents ability to provide support for the proposed activity(ies),including a demonstration that the respondent has significant experience and thefinancial resources needed to successfully achieve the proposed activity(ies) within thestated timeline; and Pertinent identifying and contact information about the respondent organization,principal individuals of the organization, including name, mailing addresses, phonenumbers, fax numbers, email addresses.NASA does not have any other specific format requirements.Informational WebinarNASA will conduct an informational webinar on Friday, August 13, 2010 from 1-3 pmeastern. Prospective respondents are requested to submit questions via email tosoipartners@nasa.gov no later than three business days before the webinar. NASA plans topost written questions and answers and webinar charts to the SoI Web site. If timepermits, an opportunity to ask questions and solicit clarification will be providedduring the webinar. In addition, NASA is interested in facilitating contact among prospective respondents forthe purpose of fostering communication and collaboration among prospective respondents. If you wish to have your name and contact information shared with other prospectiverespondents, please submit your name, organization, and phone number and/or email tosoipartners@nasa.gov by 4:00 pm eastern, Friday, August 13, 2010.The list of prospective respondents will be distributed after the webinar to thoseindividuals included in the list. The list will not be distributed to prospectiverespondents not wishing to be added to the list.Webinar Access Instructions To participate in the webinar, you must access the webinar slides via the Web and dial-into a teleconference for audio. Date: Friday, August 13, 2010 
Time: 1-3 pm, eastern 
Webinar Meeting Number: 990 237 018 
Webinar Meeting Password: Education1! To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!): 1. Go tohttps://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?ED=137387092&UID=0&PW=NODA4OThjOTBl&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. Enter your name and email address. 
3. Enter the meeting password: Education1! 
4. Click 'Join Now'. 

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link:
https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?ED=137387092&UID=0&PW=NODA4OThjOTBl&ORT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D 


To join the teleconference:1. Dial-in number: 888-917-80432. Participant passcode: SoI PartnersResponse Due DateThe response due date for this announcement is 12:00 PM eastern, Friday, September 3,2010. Responses to this announcement should be submitted in Adobe PDF format by email only to:soipartners@nasa.gov Respondents will be sent an acknowledgement upon of the receipt of their materials.NASAs stated goal is to notify respondents of outcome within eight weeks of the responsedate.Evaluation Criteria In addition to the three threshold requirements, NASA will select partners based on thefollowing evaluation criteria: Likelihood proposed activity(ies) will help NASA achieve one or more SoI goals; Ability of the respondent organization to provide the proposed activities during thestated timeline, taking into account the relevant experience and financial viability ofthe organization; and Ability to measure success of the proposed activity.DefinitionsUnderrepresented Minority: Refers to persons from racial and ethnic groups whoseenrollment in STEM education or participation in STEM professions is much smaller thanthat group's representation in the general population. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Americans and Pacific Islanders currently fit this definition.Underserved: Often used interchangeably with underrepresented, particularly as itrelates to the sciences and engineering. Specifically, it is used to promote access andopportunity to persons of diverse backgrounds racial, ethnic, gender, religious, age,sexual orientation, disabled, and other populations with limited accessto decent andaffordable housing, gainful employment, and other services. In the STEM area,underserved has typically referred to women and persons with disabilities.Underperforming: Refers to students with low academic performance.Comments and QuestionsTo send a comment or ask a question about this announcement, please send e-mail to:soipartners@nasa.govPoint of ContactDovie LacySummer of Innovation Project Manager(202) 358-7229soipartners@nasa.govThe Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.The anticipated release date of the AO is on or about August 2, 2010 with an anticipatedoffer due date of on or about September 3, 2010.[OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT IS REQUIRED]NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The installation Ombudsman is JamesBalinskas, James.A.Balinskas@nasa.gov, (202) 358-3083 (X).
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