JBER seeks contractor for youth sports officials after 6-month gap

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is seeking a contractor to provide certified officials and scorekeepers for youth sports programs that serve children ages 5 through 16 across six sports with an estimated 1,240 games annually.

The base has operated for six months without a professional officiating contract, a period the solicitation describes as having "no issues" while simultaneously identifying gaps in knowledge, professionalism, and attendance that the new contract is designed to address.

The solicitation issued Friday covers a base period from April, through September, with four option years extending through September 30, 2030. The contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity agreement covering baseball, softball, indoor and outdoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. Games are played at the Kennecott Youth Center, Two Rivers Youth Center and Hanger 5 on JBER.

A question-and-answer document released with the solicitation states the base has had "no issues in the past 6 months using volunteer officials" but identifies areas requiring improvement in knowledge, professionalism, and attendance.

The performance work statement requires officials to hold certifications from accredited programs such as the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, United States Officials Association, or National Association of Sports Officials, along with CPR and First Aid certification and National Intelligence Agency Check background screenings.

The base-year schedule includes 14 service requirements for baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball. Volleyball and flag football services are introduced starting in Option Year 1.

If the government cancels a game after 1400 hours on the day of the event, the contractor is entitled to payment for one game. The government will also pay for games if a team forfeits due to not having enough players.