Notice of Intent to Sole Source Hawaiian Community Liaison Consultant Services

Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i), The National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) intend to negotiate a sole source purchase order with Kalipi Enterprises, LLC for Hawaiian Community Liaison Consultant Services. Over the course of the past decades, NSF has made numerous investments in a variety of scientific disciplines and STEM education in Hawaii. During the past decade, however, it has become increasingly clear that NSF has more work to do to build a stronger partnership with Native Hawaiians. Kalipi Enterprises, LLC has a good reputation and close ties to the Hawaiian community, as well as being credible and trustworthy. Kalipi Enterprises, LLC has the experience and the capacity to build a grassroots strategy for engagement. Prior experience within this group is extensive, and includes work as counsel to a US Sentator that required relationship building with Native Hawaiians across education, healthcare, workforce development, and military operations; business and culture coalition building work (one individual co-founded ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures and the Maunakea Working Group); expertise in hula, a culturally esteemed artform; communications and public affairs for Bishop Museum in Honolulu; and communications work for the Governor’s office and the Hawaii State Department of Education. Most recently, this group facilitated a process to establish the kapu and kanawai, defined as shared values and rules of engagement, to serve as a basis for community-based dialogue between residents of Hawaiʻi Island and the U.S. Army. Kalipi Enterprises, LLC is the only vendor capable of meeting NSF's need to build a strong partnership with Native Hawaiians. Kalipi Enterprises, LLC is the only vendor with the experience and resources to provide these services to meet the agency’s need. The notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This synopsis is for informational purposes only.