Request for Information (RFI).pdf

This is a request for information (RFI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking for contractors in the domestic marketplace who can provide the licenses described in the attached statement of work (SOW).

Overview of Need:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Communication (OC) UX Team routinely evaluates digital content and design in order to present timely, relevant and actionable health information to the general public, public health and healthcare professionals. This type of evaluation includes user testing which is the testing of digital content with actual end users, using their feedback to make improvements. This is conducted by showing users digital content or prototypes and taking notes as they conduct a range of task-based scenarios.

This type of evaluation has been historically difficult to accomplish as the OC UX staff needs to be able to watch users’ desktop or mobile screens in order to document and determine their success in completing user tasks. While software exists to share desktop screens, we need a platform that can easily share mobile screens. This poses a problem as CDC has a very large mobile audience. In addition, OC UX staff has had to spend a tremendous amount of time recruiting users to participate in user testing activities, as well as conducting each user testing session and taking detailed notes to track every user action.

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure license subscription access for a digital evaluation and analysis platform for CDC digital content. The license subscription shall provide an online solution that offers a digital usability testing platform designed to conduct several types of rapid online user tests remotely on both desktop and mobile platforms, and includes a combination of unmoderated short user tests, unmoderated standard user tests and moderated user tests with live participants recruited from the platform’s Contributor Network of public health professionals.

The ability to record user screens along with capturing user comments and feedback on desktop or mobile devices prevents the OC UX staff from having to monitor each testing sessions. The feedback is rapidly transcribed by the system, and testing results are provided within minutes of completion of the test. OC UX staff can then focus their time on analysis of the results and making improvements to CDC’s digital content as a result of the feedback. This would allow CDC to ensure its digital products and services meet user needs and provide OC UX staff data and insights to inform effective health communications across CDC’s key audiences.

There is no solicitation available at this time. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. Vendor participation is not a promise for future business with the Government. The sole purpose of this RFI is to conduct Market Research and to determine vendors who are capable of providing these software licenses. This RFI does not constitute a commitment from the Government and any information provided in response to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only and will not be inappropriately released. Any proprietary information submitted will be protected if appropriately marked.

CDC requests responses to the following questions:

Company Name, and UEI Number:

Point of Contact Phone:

Point of Contact Email:

Point of Contact Name and Signature:

1. Provide a brief description of your company (name, address, type of business, business size, country of origin).

2. Does your company sell these licenses or is the company a re-seller of the licenses?

3. Can your company provide the required licenses via a GSA contract or some other GWAC?

4. If so, on what platform does your company have the GWAC?

5. Please provide any comments on the draft SOW if determined to be useful.

We encourage and appreciate your participation; please share your ideas regarding this action. Your written comments, suggestions and ideas regarding these licenses will be treated as confidential and for Government use only. Please provide your responses via email to xuy7@cdc.gov, no later than January 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

mailto:xuy7@cdc.gov

Statement of Work

Title: Digital Content Evaluation and Analysis Platform License Subscription for CDC Office of Communication

Period of performance of this contract is: March 16, 2026 – March 15, 2031

Base Period: March 16, 2026 – March 15, 2027 Option Period One: March 16, 2027 – March 15, 2028 Option Period Two: March 16, 2028 – March 15, 2029 Option Period Three: March 16, 2029 – March 15, 2030 Option Period Four: March 16, 2030 – March 15, 2031

SECTION 1 – BACKGROUND

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Communication (OC) UX Team routinely evaluates digital content and design in order to present timely, relevant and actionable health information to the general public, public health and healthcare professionals. This type of evaluation includes user testing which is the testing of digital content with actual end users, using their feedback to make improvements.

This is conducted by showing users digital content or prototypes and taking notes as they conduct a range of task-based scenarios.

This type of evaluation has been historically difficult to accomplish as the OC UX staff needs to be able to watch users’ desktop or mobile screens in order to document and determine their success in completing user tasks. While software exists to share desktop screens, we need a platform that can easily share mobile screens. This poses a problem as CDC has a very large mobile audience. In addition, OC UX staff has had to spend a tremendous amount of time recruiting users to participate in user testing activities, as well as conducting each user testing session and taking detailed notes to track every user action.

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure license subscription access for a digital evaluation and analysis platform for CDC digital content. The license subscription shall provide an online solution that offers a digital usability testing platform designed to conduct several types of rapid online user tests remotely on both desktop and mobile platforms, and includes a combination of unmoderated short user tests, unmoderated standard user tests and moderated user tests with live participants recruited from the platform’s Contributor Network of public health professionals.

The ability to record user screens along with capturing user comments and feedback on desktop or mobile devices prevents the OC UX staff from having to monitor each testing sessions. The feedback is rapidly transcribed by the system, and testing results are provided within minutes of completion of the test. OC UX staff can then focus their time on analysis of the results and making improvements to CDC’s digital content as a result of the feedback. This would allow CDC to ensure its digital products and services meet user needs and provide OC UX staff data and insights to inform effective health communications across CDC’s key audiences.

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of the work for the license subscription involves the following needs:

• Easily accessible built-in panelists of general consumers, healthcare providers (e.g. doctors and nurses,) and public health professionals to serve as user test participants.

• Ability to perform a large assortment of user tests including task-based, 1-click, moderated and preference testing without requiring testing on development servers or updating scripts or code on CDC.gov.

• Ability to do Preference testing, A/B testing, and full-scale testing on live URLs.

• Ability to change/edit header text on screens as needed.

• Allow user testing on desktop and mobile devices.

• Capture user screens and comments as participants complete evaluation activities on desktop and mobile devices without video recording participants.

• Code videos of screen captures and create transcripts to be quickly reviewed by OC UX staff.

• Ability to quickly consolidate data from completed studies and provide quick insights.

• Customer support and troubleshooting including extensive online knowledgebase that provides information and support on various topics including UX methodologies.

• Comply with CDC’s federal IT security, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and Section 508 requirements – IT security requirements found in Section 9 of Statement of Work.

SECTION 4 – TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

Task 1: Contractor shall provide access to a license subscription for a Digital Evaluation and Analysis Platform.

Contractor shall provide access to a license subscription for a digital evaluation and analysis platform which comes with:

• Functionality to develop the following user tests using panelists from the Contributor Network of public health professionals:

o 930 panelists for short tests o 3,330 panelists for standard tests (15-30 min) o 527 panelists for moderated tests (30 min) o 48,500 session units

• 6 creator seats with unlimited viewer seats for collaboration

Optional Surge Task 1.2 – Contractor shall provide additional creator seats with unlimited viewer seats for collaboration.

Task 2– Contractor shall provide customer support assistance to OC UX staff during entire period of performance of the contract. Support services shall include but are not limited to the following:

• Access to support staff via email, live chat, and phone.

• 24 hour a day support coverage during the business week.

SECTION 5 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

No Government Furnished Property will be issued under this contract

SECTION 6 – PLACE OF PERFORMANCE AND CONTRACT SUPPORT HOURS

SUBSECTION A – PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Off-site at contractor’s facilities.

SECTION 7 – TRAVEL

There is no travel associated with this contract.

SECTION 8 – DELIVERABLES/REPORTING SCHEDULE

Deliverable Chart starts on next page

Task Deliverable Quantity/Format Due Date Deliver To 1 - Access to a license subscription for a digital evaluation and analysis platform in accordance with SOW

– Base Period

Annual license subscription to include:

6 creator seats, 930 Contributor Network panelists for short user tests, 3,330 Contributor Network panelists for standard user tests, Contributor Network panelists for moderated user tests (30 mins or less).

1 digital license subscription

03/16/2026 Delivery of license access will be coordinated with the End User from OC UX staff

1 - Access to a license subscription for a digital evaluation and analysis platform in accordance with SOW

– OP1

subscription to include:

6 creator seats, 930 Contributor Network panelists for short user tests, 3,330 Contributor Network panelists for standard user tests, Contributor Network panelists for moderated user tests (30 mins or less).

1 digital license subscription

03/16/2027 Delivery of license access will be coordinated with the End User from OC UX staff to a license subscription for a digital evaluation and analysis platform in accordance

– OP2

subscription to include:

6 creator seats, 930 Contributor Network panelists for short user tests, 3,330 Contributor Network panelists for standard user tests, Contributor Network panelists for moderated user tests (30 mins or less).

1 digital license subscription

03/16/2028 Delivery of license access will be coordinated with the End User from OC UX staff

1 - Access to a license subscription for a digital evaluation and analysis platform in accordance

– OP3

subscription to include:

6 creator seats, 930 Contributor Network panelists for short user tests, 3,330 Contributor Network panelists for standard user tests, Contributor Network panelists for moderated user tests (30 mins or less).

1 digital license subscription

03/16/2029 Delivery of license access will be coordinated with the End User from OC UX staff to a license subscription for a digital evaluation and analysis platform in accordance

– OP4

subscription to include:

6 creator seats, 930 Contributor Network panelists for short user tests, 3,330 Contributor Network panelists for standard user tests, Contributor Network panelists for moderated user tests (30 mins or less).

1 digital license subscription

03/16/2030 Delivery of license access will be coordinated with the End User from OC UX staff

SECTION 10 – MINIMUM VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum vendor qualifications include:

• Access to Digital Content Evaluation and Analysis platform to be provided on the effective start date of the performance period.

• Access to built-in panelists from Contributor Network of general consumers, healthcare providers (e.g. doctors and nurses) and public health professionals to serve as user test participants available on the effective start date of the performance period.

SECTION 11 – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Section 508 Compliance Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice

(a) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194), require that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

(b) Accordingly, any offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established HHS EIT accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.hhs.gov/web/508. The complete text of the Section 508 Final Provisions can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm.

(c) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract are:

205 WCAG 2.0 Level A & AA Success Criteria 302 Functional Performance Criteria http://www.hhs.gov/web/508 http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm

502 Inoperability with Assistive Technology 503 Applications 504 Authoring Tools 602 Support Documentation 603 Support Services

In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed EIT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template, in accordance with its completion instructions. The purpose of the template is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed EIT supplies conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows offerors or developers to self-evaluate their supplies and documentation detail - whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template are available under Section 508 policy on the HHS Web site http://hhs.gov/web/508.

(d) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any exception to Section 508 requirements. If an offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.

(e) Electronic content must be accessible to HHS acceptance criteria. Checklist for various formats is available at http://508.hhs.gov/, or from the Section 508 Coordinator listed at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/additional-resources/section-508-contacts/index.html. Materials that are final items for delivery should be accompanied by the appropriate checklist, except upon approval of the Contracting Officer or Representative.

http://hhs.gov/web/508 http://508.hhs.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/additional-resources/section-508-contacts/index.html

SECTION 1 – PROPOSED CONTRACT TYPE

Firm-fixed Price

SECTION 2 – OPTIONAL SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

SUBSECTION A – PAYMENT CLAUSES

Vendor will be paid for the full performance period at the time the annual license is provided, and the Government is invoiced through IPP.gov.

SECTION 3 – EVALUATION FACTORS

Offeror shall demonstrate that the offeror’s plan to accomplish the effort is feasible, efficient, and effective, including recognition of potential performance difficulties/risks and appropriateness and soundness of proposed solutions. The Government will perform a qualitative technical review of proposals. The technical evaluation will be performed in accordance with the following:

Evaluation Criteria Technical Capability

Management Approach Similar Experience

SUBSECTION A – TECHNICAL

Technical Evaluation Criteria:

This solicitation will be awarded to the Offeror whose proposal is considered to be the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors identified below considered.

Technical Capability :

The Offeror shall provide a detailed and comprehensive statement of their capability to provide license access to a digital evaluation and analysis platform for the purposes of conducting several types of rapid online user tests remotely on both desktop and mobile platforms, and includes a combination of unmoderated short user tests, unmoderated standard user tests and moderated user tests with live participants recruited from the platforms’s Contributor Network of public health professionals, and the ability to capture user screens and comments as participants complete evaluation activities without video recording participants or other personally identifiable information. The Offeror’s explanation shall include name of the digital evaluation platform and an analysis of the platform task requirements to indicate their understanding of the requirement.

Management Approach:

The Offeror shall provide a detailed and comprehensive approach to the problem, scope, and purpose of the project to demonstrate a complete understanding of the intent, operating environment, and project objectives of the contract. and adequacy and feasibility of plans The Offeror shall address all items in the statement of work. This includes a detailed description of the specific tasks to be performed, the accessibility to the vendor’s Contributor Network of healthcare providers and public health professional resources (not staffing) to be used as panelists, . Furthermore, the Offeror shall include and an explanation of how the vendor recruits and retains their Contributor Network. Furthermore, the approach shall include resolutions for overcoming technical difficulties involved with performing work requirements.

Similar Experience:

The Offeror shall provide a description of three projects completed within the past four years that clearly

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OFFICE

OF ACQUISITION SERVICES

demonstrates the Offeror’s experience in performing projects of similar scope, size and complexity to the requirements described in the SOW. The following information shall be provided for each project reference:

a. Contract number, customer/agency name and contract title;

b. Brief narrative description of the work performed for each of those contracts, including a discussion of any problems encountered/corrective actions and significant accomplishments;

c. Dollar value, contract type, period of performance, place of performance, and the number and types of personnel used in the performance of the contract; and

d. Name, address and phone number of at least two customer contacts (Contracting Officer and COR) for each of the identified contracts.

SUBSECTION B – PROCUREMENT POINT OF CONTACT (POC) INFORMATION

COR/POC: TBD

Telephone Number: TBD E-mail Address: TBD Preferred method of communication: e-mail