menu

American-Made Challenges

 3,224

MSI Contract Readiness Prize

This prize aims to increase the DOE-contract readiness of HBCUs, MSIs, and TCUs through mentoring, teaming, and technical support.
Education Energy, Environment & Resources Government
stage:
Submissions Open
prize:
$300,000
Education Energy, Environment & Resources Government
more
Summary
Timeline
Updates2
Forum
Teams43
Resources
FAQ
Summary
About the Prize Overview Prize Timeline Eligibility

About the Prize

The MSI Contract Readiness Prize is a one-phase capacity building prize that aims to boost equity across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contracting for small, medium, and large Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). This prize builds on the successes of the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that is working toward environmental justice for all Americans by involving MSIs as key strategic partners.

There are only a few agencies reaching out to institutions as a solution for federal requirements, which is a loss for the federal government and a missed opportunity for MSIs to gain beneficial financial resources. The goal of the MSI Contract Readiness Prize is not just a matter of increasing capacity for winning contracts, but also building a pipeline of long-term institutional support. MSIs will have a better knowledge of how to obtain future federal funding sources not only with the DOE Complex but with all federal agencies.

Overview

Up to 25 winners will be awarded a minimum of $10,000 based on their institution's size. To win the MSI Contract Readiness Prize, competitors will need to show they have increased their level of contract readiness. Teams will show this by developing a clear plan of action describing the steps taken to improve their contract readiness.

A successful submission should include, but is not limited to: 

  • Attending technical trainings on the federal contracting application process
  • Participating in mentoring opportunities with external partners such as the Power Connectors, DOE Mentor Protégé Program, or other partners
  • Providing information on how you will continue to train and develop staff, students, and other resources to respond to federal contract deliverables for your institution
  • Teams will be required to provide letters of support from their external partners. 

Prize Timeline

  • April 2024: Prize Launch
  • June – Sept. 2024: Submissions Open & Contract Readiness Webinars
    • June 26, 2024: Federal Contracting Basics
    • July 24, 2024: Create a Winning Capability Statement
    • August 28, 2024: DOE Contact Forecasting & DOE Resources
    • September 18, 2024: Win the Bid - The DOE Contract Landscape
  • Oct. 4: Submission Deadline (anticipated date)
  • Oct 7 - Dec. 4: Review Period
  • Dec. 5: Winners Announcement (anticipated dates)

Eligibility

Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSI), including Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) are eligible to submit a proposal describing what their institutions are doing to become contract ready.

Teams should specify their institution size:  

  • Small Institution (under 5,000 students) 
  • Medium-Sized Institution (5,001 - 15,000 students) 
  • Large Institution (over 15,001 students) 

For additional eligibility considerations, please follow the prize to be kept up to date on when the official rules are published under the Resources tab. Estimated publication date is May 2024. 

Timeline
Updates2

Challenge Updates

Federal Contracting Basics

June 25, 2024, 11:23 a.m. PDT by Rachel C.

Get ready to dive into an exciting webinar series tailored to equip America's top researchers, faculty, and university leaders with the skills to successfully engage in business with the world's largest purchaser of goods and services - the federal government!

This series is designed specifically for the diverse array of institutions that form the backbone of our nation's leading network of inclusive colleges and universities. Join us as we navigate the landscape of federal contracting with the U.S. Department of Energy, uncovering the essentials for cultivating a sustainable revenue stream in collaboration with a key federal agency. VentureWell is committed to assisting emerging research institutions by enhancing their contract readiness to increase revenue streams and elevate their engagement within STEM ecosystems.

Through interactive learning sessions, participants learn about key aspects of federal procurement, capability statement development, DOE contract forecasting, compliance requirements, and navigating the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), System for Award Management (SAM.gov), and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations (DEAR).

Part 1: Federal Contracting Basics is June 26, 2024; 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT. 

Register for this and future webinars using this link. 

Upcoming Informational Webinar

June 12, 2024, 3:02 p.m. PDT by Rachel C.

Is your HBCU, TCU, or MSI looking to gain beneficial financial resources? Are you - or is someone on your team - interested in mentoring, teaming and technical support to build your capacity to win U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contracts?


Join the MSI Contract Readiness Prize Informational Webinar on June 18 to to learn about this one-phase capacity building prize that aims to boost equity across the DOE. Prize organizers from the DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will review the rules, introduce interested competitors to our American-Made Network Power Connectors, and answer questions live.

Why participate?
- Build your institution's capacity to win federal contracts not only with the DOE Complex but with all federal agencies
- Build a pipeline of long-term institutional support
- Win up to $10,000 or more in cash prizes
- Benefit from mentoring, teaming, and trainings.

 

Register today using this link. Even if you cannot attend, please register to ensure you receive updates on the Q&A and recording. 

Forum
Teams43
Resources
FAQ