Background & Goal:
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Outreach, Fellowships, and Internships Division (HR/OFI) announces an open competition for an eligible organization to manage operational, logistical, and administrative functions for the candidate selection process of the 2027 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. Authorized under 22 U.S.C. 2719 and 22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq., this 3-to-6 month Cooperative Agreement (December 2026 – March 2027) aims to execute a rigorous, standardized, and merit-based evaluation cycle to identify 10 premier Pickering Fellows and qualified alternates dedicated to Foreign Service careers.
Problem Statement:
Identifying top diplomatic talent requires multi-stage candidate evaluation on a condensed timeline. Without dedicated administrative support, the Department risks operational delays, inconsistent scoring, and logistical bottlenecks. The Recipient must execute screening, maintain secure scoring platforms, manage Washington, D.C. panel interviews, and handle honoraria and travel logistics under strict federal standards to ensure high-caliber candidates are evaluated without delay.
Key Objectives & Outcomes:
Application Screening & Semi-Finalist Selection: Screen 100% of applications by January 2027 against eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship, 3.2+ GPA, financial need, master’s program plans). Provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select 90 semi-finalists by February 2027.
Panel Management & Evaluation: Coordinate D.C. final evaluations (3.5-day interview panel, 2-day essay panel), manage mandatory BEX-led panelist training, and disburse per diem-compliant panelist honoraria ($500/day).
Final Selection & Data Transfer: Compile rank-ordered scores, issue selectee/alternate notifications within 2 working days of HR/OFI approval, and transfer complete selection data packages within 2 weeks of completion.
The recipient must screen 100% of applications by January 2027 against eligibility criteria, provide secure portal access to 18 selection panelists to score applicants and select 90 semi-finalists by February 2027, coordinate D.C. final evaluations (3.5-day interview panel, 2-day essay panel), manage mandatory BEX-led panelist training, disburse per diem-compliant panelist honoraria ($500/day), compile rank-ordered scores, issue selectee/alternate notifications within 2 working days of HR/OFI approval, and transfer complete selection data packages within 2 weeks of completion.
We post new defense, security & foreign affairs opportunities in Washington as agencies publish them. Get them in one email — free, and unsubscribe whenever.
"12""Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education""20""Private institutions of higher education""06""Public and State controlled institutions of higher education""13""Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education""22""For profit organizations other than small businesses""CA""Cooperative Agreement""ELT""Employment, Labor and Training""HR""DOS-HR""DOS-HR""Bureau of Human Resources""DOS""DOS""DOS""DOS""Department of State""DOS"{"id":355383,"fileName":"Budget Template FY26 with MTDC Calculation_Final (1).xlsx","mimeType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet","createdDate":"Oct 27, 2026 07:41:40 PM EDT","fileLobSize":90437,"opportunityId":364158,"fileDescription":"Budget Template","synopsisAttFolderId":81476}{"id":355368,"fileName":"2027 Pickering NOFO Selection.docx","mimeType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","createdDate":"Oct 27, 2026 04:31:38 PM EDT","fileLobSize":112918,"opportunityId":364158,"fileDescription":"NOFO Selection","lastUpdatedDate":"Oct 27, 2026 07:27:47 PM EDT","synopsisAttFolderId":81476}{"id":355369,"fileName":"Pickering 2027 SOW Selection (1).docx","mimeType":"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","createdDate":"Oct 27, 2026 04:32:31 PM EDT","fileLobSize":66623,"opportunityId":364158,"fileDescription":"Pickering Selection SOW","synopsisAttFolderId":81476}Most Washington work asks for the two below, and the solicitation documents are where it’s stated. One prequalification covers both — on this bid and the next.
A surety’s written statement that it expects to bond you up to a stated amount, subject to final underwriting. It’s what an agency asks to see before they take your bid seriously.
Source: Grants.gov (opportunity 364158), retrieved via the Grants.gov Search API. View the official posting, and always confirm requirements and deadlines with the issuing agency.