Synopsis:
This is a Sources Sought Notice only. The U.S. Government intends to award a sole-source contract to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) visit and the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) renewal services for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at United State Military Academy, West Point, NY. The anticipated period of performance will begin on 31 August 2026. However, the Government is seeking information from vendors that may be capable of fulfilling this requirement to support a potential competitive procurement. Accordingly, the U.S. Government highly encourages all interested businesses (large and small) to respond to this source sought synopsis. In addition, small businesses, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), must describe their identifying capabilities in meeting the requirements at a fair market price, i.e., information which may help support a set-aside.
The proposed sole source firm fixed price contract will be to Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency.
This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this source sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government wide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Government wide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The anticipated NAICS code(s) is: 611310- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools with a size standard of $34.5 Million dollars. In response to this source sought, please provide:
1. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solutions. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the Sources Sought Synopsis. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.
2. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.
3. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any.
4. Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, lead time for implementation, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination.
5. Information to help determine if the requirement (item or service) is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing, catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc.
6. Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition, including competition among small business concerns.
7. Recommendations to improve the Army's approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS to acquiring the identified items/services.
Responses to this notice are due on or before 7/16/2026 by 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) by email to Soung Gibbons at soung.h.gibbons.civ@army.mil.
Background
The U.S. Government intends to award a sole-source contract to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) visit and Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) renewal services for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
The goal of this contract is to ensure that the Dean Departments maintain their accreditation through a thorough review process conducted by ABET.
Work Details
The contract involves conducting an EAC visit from August 31, 2026, to September 1, 2026, and a CAC renewal process.
ABET will send inspectors to review the curriculum and establish a review team consisting of certified Team Chairs and trained Program Evaluators for each of the 11 programs being visited. ABET is responsible for training, certifying, and vetting personnel assigned to the visit, ensuring they adhere to ethical standards and have no conflicts of interest with the institution. The Academy will have the opportunity to review and accept or reject any personnel assigned.
ABET will provide travel, lodging, and meals for the team during their site visit. They will also coordinate with institutional representatives from July 2026 until final accreditation action is approved in July 2027. Pre-visit reviews of program self-studies will be conducted starting July 1, 2026, with additional materials reviewed via electronic submission prior to arrival on August 30, 2026. During the site visit from August 30 to September 1, meetings will be held with program representatives to assess compliance with ABET criteria. A summary of recommendations will be provided on September 1.
Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance begins on August 31, 2026, and extends through July 2027.
Place of Performance
United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
Bidder Requirements
Bidders must demonstrate capabilities in meeting requirements at fair market prices and describe their business size (large or small), including any applicable small business certifications such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB. Contractors must comply with security clearance requirements and provide documentation for background checks as needed.
