NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code 210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771

R -- MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA SUMMER HIGH SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (SHARP) SOL RFPW-4779 DUE 052099 POC Delia B. Robey, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 286-8109, Fax (301) 286-0357, Email Delia.B.Robey.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/HQ/date.html#RFPW-4779. E-MAIL: Delia B. Robey, Delia.B.Robey.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA intends to award a sole-source contract extension to Modern Technology Systems Incorporated (MTSI), Riverdale, Maryland, pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source under Contract NASW-4779. This procurement is to extend the current contract for an 8-month period, in support of NASA Headquarters, Office of Human Resources and Education, Education Division. The current contractor operates and manages the NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Program (SHARP). NASA/GSFC intends to extend the existent contract for a period of 8 months, from June 1, 1999, through January 31, 2000. The SHARP program is designed to stimulate broader career interest in science and engineering for students who are underrepresented in the fields of science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. The SHARP process aims at establishing individual working relationships between students and active researchers, and at strengthening the nation's and the government's efforts to recruit and sustain underrepresented students in science and engineering fields. Each year, SHARP offers a select group of high school students the opportunity to participate in an intensive science and engineering apprenticeship program. Approximately 200 students participate in the program each year. The contractor consults with the various participating NASA Field Installations, located across the United States, for program advice and recommendations. The SHARP team recruits students, identifies research or technical mentors, provides an orientation for the students and mentors; monitors the progress of the mentoring relationship, conducts the program's closing activity for the students; and evaluates the program. Currently there is a SHARP team at each NASA installation except the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This extension is necessary in order to allow sufficient time to procure a new contract which will consolidate the SHARP Program and SHARP PLUS Program (a similar program) and to allow for a contractor phase-in period. An interruption in services would irreparably damage the 1999 SHARP program year. Only MTSI has the infrastructure in place to provide these services on short notice, for the brief period. Any other firms desiring consideration and able to provide these services with no disruption in the program are requested to fully identify their interest and capabilities within 15 days of the date of publication of this synopsis to the NASA/GSFC office and contact listed. See Note 22. Posted 05/05/99 (D-SN328268). (0125)

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