STARBASE Cherry Point

The STARBASE Cherry Point grant opportunity is a forecasted cooperative agreement initiative managed by the Department of Defense (DoD) through the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This opportunity focuses on the operation and management of the STARBASE program at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The STARBASE program is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach and Workforce Program, aligning with Assistance Listing 12.330. This particular posting is not a formal solicitation but a Request for Information (RFI), aimed at assessing the feasibility of sourcing this requirement from qualified nonprofit organizations.

The purpose of this RFI is to identify capable nonprofit entities that can operate the STARBASE program according to a Draft Performance Requirements Statement (PRS). The STARBASE program is designed to provide STEM education and outreach to elementary students, particularly those who are historically underrepresented in these fields. The organization selected through a future solicitation would be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, including curriculum delivery, student engagement, and logistical coordination under the guidelines of DoD Instruction 1025.07.

Eligible applicants are strictly limited to nonprofit organizations that either possess or do not possess 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service, excluding institutions of higher education. The RFI stipulates that responses must include a detailed technical approach, highlight organizational capability, and document past performance on similar projects. Submissions should not exceed five pages and must include a cover page detailing contact and organizational information, as well as a four-page technical response.

Responses are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on May 16, 2025, and must be submitted in either PDF or Microsoft Word format. All submissions should adhere to formatting requirements such as 12-point font, single spacing, and one-inch margins on standard letter-sized paper. The file size for submissions is capped at 10 MB. Cost or pricing information should not be included and will be discarded if submitted. Organizations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for any future awards.

As of now, specific award amounts, the estimated total program funding, and the number of awards to be issued have not been disclosed. No final application due date, estimated post date, or project start date has been provided, indicating the preliminary nature of this RFI. This notice should not be interpreted as a guarantee of a future funding opportunity but rather as a planning and information-gathering initiative by the government.

For additional information or to submit responses, interested organizations should contact Jessica Franceschini, Contract Specialist, at 814-521-3878, or via email at jessica.d.franceschini.civ@us.navy.mil and kara.m.ridgell.civ@us.navy.mil. Further details can be found by referring to the attached draft PRS and by ensuring SAM registration.