Consumer Research and Communication IV (CRC IV)

The Consumer Research and Communication IV (CRC IV) is a $98 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The contract supports consumer research, communication strategies, and outreach efforts focused on healthcare programs, particularly Medicare and Medicaid. Services under this vehicle include qualitative and quantitative research, program monitoring, evaluation, and communication support designed to improve consumer understanding of health insurance marketplace options, coverage choices, and program quality.

Task orders under this contract demonstrate a range of research and communication initiatives, with values typically between $1 million and $8 million and durations spanning 2-3 years. Prime contractors include L&M Policy Research (a minority-owned, woman-owned, and economically disadvantaged small business), Marketing For Change CO., and Alan S. Newman Associates, Inc. Key task order scopes have included research to support health insurance marketplace outreach, communications about the Inflation Reduction Act, nursing home staffing campaign support, and establishing a Medicare Beneficiary Respondent Panel. While the contract is designated as a small business set-aside vehicle, the awarded task orders have not consistently used set-aside designations. The work primarily supports the Department of Health and Human Services and focuses on research to enhance communication and understanding of complex healthcare programs.