Consumer Research and Communications II

The Consumer Research and Communications II (CRC II) Master Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides a flexible mechanism for conducting comprehensive social marketing research and consumer testing. The contract supports CMS's outreach, education, and communication efforts through qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Task orders under this vehicle are designed to generate insights, assess communication effectiveness, and develop strategic materials targeting Medicare and Medicaid populations.

The task orders issued under this IDIQ consistently demonstrate a focus on consumer research across various Medicare and Medicaid communication domains, with typical contract values ranging from approximately $300,000 to $4.5 million. Winning prime contractors include small businesses and specialized research firms such as Alan S. Newman Associates, Aeffect Inc., and L&M Policy Research, LLC. Many task orders are either set aside for total small business participation or open to all contractors, with pricing structures predominantly utilizing Cost Plus Fixed Fee and Firm Fixed Price models. The research activities frequently involve conducting surveys, focus groups, website usability testing, and developing communication materials related to Medicare plan choices, healthcare exchanges, beneficiary assessments, and program quality metrics. All task orders are issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and align with the major program code of Consumer Research and Communications (CRC).