# Sponsorship of 2024 BIG Conference in Tampa, FL from August 12 through August 1 Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/68he0p24q0012 - Solicitation number: 68HE0P24Q0012 - Notice type: Presolicitation - Status: Awarded to Blacks in Government (Big) - Department: Environmental Protection Agency - Contracting office: Cincinnati Acquisition Div (Cad) (68HERC) - NAICS: 813920 Professional Organizations - Product or service code: R799 Other Management Support Services - County: Hillsborough County (FIPS 12057). https://abierto.us/counties/hillsborough-county-fl-12057 - City: Tampa. https://abierto.us/cities/tampa-fl-1271000 - First posted: July 18, 2024 - Last posted: July 18, 2024 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/6c157702d3e44307b6e3d95998d3bba5/view ## Description This is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to award a fixed price contract on a sole source basis to Blacks in Government (BIG), 3005 Georgia AVE NW Washington, DC 20001-3807 for sponsorship for employees to attend the Annual BIG National Training Institute at four (4) day conference at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. BIG is one of the largest Black non-profit organizations in the United States dedicated to serving blacks in the federal government. Its mission is to promote equity, excellence and opportunity through advocacy, professional development, and empowerment of African Americans. It also seeks to provide a mechanism for inclusion, growth, and advocacy, and to function as an employee support and resource group for African American civil servants at the municipal, state, and federal government levels. Although the EPA is making progress, it must continue to build a pipeline for talented black leadership within the Agency. Broadly, the intent is to enhance Agency access to a diverse pool of technical talent by streamlining the outreach strategy; use Agency resources to provide broad, sharing EPA opportunities; and provide direct connection with candidates most interested in EPA whose skills align well with EPA positions. This purchase will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with Federal Regulation (FAR) Part 13.106-1(b)(1) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000.00. The sole source nature of this requirement is based on the determination that BIG is the only organization that can provide the required goods and services based on the association’s primary ethnic focal point. The EPAs participation in the BIG NTI and marketing through BIG’s website/social media will support the Agency in its efforts of recruiting and retention. BIG offers special qualifications to its members, such as memberships, professional development, training, and certifications specifically geared toward black government employees that isn’t available anywhere else on the market. Other sources were researched using journals, other organizations’ descriptive literature, and contacting other Regions. The determination not to compete this proposed contract action is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. Questions or comments to this Notice of Intent should be directed to Purchasing Agent, Paul Richardson at mail to Richardson.Paul@EPA.Gov. Please indicate in the subject of your email: **Notice of Intent Submission:** BIG Conference. ## Award on USAspending - Recipient: Blacks in Government (Big) (UEI FBYLDAABGER7) - Contract: 68HE0P24P0024, purchase order - Obligated: $100,000.00 - Competition: Not Competed Under SAP, 1 offers received - Link: solicitation number 68HE0P24Q0012 equals the FPDS solicitation identifier; same sub-agency 6800 (high confidence) - Record: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_68HE0P24P0024_6800_-NONE-_-NONE-/ ## Publications - July 18, 2024: Presolicitation, due August 2, 2024 at 4:30 PM EDT. Notice 6c157702d3e44307b6e3d95998d3bba5. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/6c157702d3e44307b6e3d95998d3bba5/view ## Points of contact - Richardson, Paul, richardson.paul@epa.gov, (919) 541-7591 --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract and USAspending.gov award data. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/68he0p24q0012.