Single Source Determination Using SAP for an Action Not Exceeding the SAT - Final v2_Redacted.pdf

Version 2.0

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Satellite Information Acquisition Division (SIAD) and the Systems of Architecture & Engineering Office (SAE).

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

SAE requires a service for usability testing of web properties. The tool must have an easy set-up process and a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) to conduct user testing on websites or other digital products. Key features must include the ability to set up a usability test with a remote subject; the ability to record (both voice and screen) the test session; the ability to use our own test subjects and also to employ test subjects provided through the service. The time to conduct robust, professional usability testing on NESDIS products and services is long past due. Through this testing, we will be able to avoid costly mismatches between digital products and customer expectations and needs. We will be able to better ensure that the products and services we provide can be successfully used by customers and suit their needs. Usability testing reduces risk (of failed products and services) and helps to point developers in the right direction to maximize value to our users.

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

Name of vendor: UserTesting Business address: 144 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107 Business website: https://www.userzoom.com

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

Only one source & Brand Name - Only one source is currently known to be capable of providing the services required at the level of technical standards required. The brand name services are

The brand name item is UserZoom/UserTesting, in which this platform fulfills all of the ts:

Ability to set up a test of a website or digital product with remote users A variety of available templates for setting up the usability test Access to a wide pool of service-supplied test subjects Ability to record (both voice and screen) the test session Ability to use our own test subjects Ability to use platform to recruit participants

Ability to test a wide range of digital products Ability to provide a written transcript and add time-stamped comments to the test session recording Ability to schedule testing Ability to assess usability for SAE-owned Google Sites Access for at least 10 admins and 50 collaborators

Technical Specifications - Required:

Live (moderated) testing capabilities Unmoderated testing capability, including basic usability tests, card sorting, tree testing, and click tests Advanced analytics with executive-level display Proprietary machine learning model that can be applied to test results to surface key insights (reducing work of analysis) Professional services, including test planning and development, test moderation, and analysis and reporting No code deployment required--compatible with many environments (such as JIRA) and/or any digital prototype available through a link.

Ability to test non-digital prototypes as well Support for a wide range of testing methodologies and approaches that go beyond task testing Customer experience surveys and tracking Testing templates and processes that are consistent with agile testing processes Submission of a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

Companies that were queried lacked the ability to perform the type of user tests that are required, including card sorting and tree testing, which helps improve information architecture (IA) of websites. Some platforms also lacked the capability to perform live moderated testing capabilities.

Companies were not able to provide the recruiting capabilities to recruit users. We require a user testing panel to be available to source external participants to take our tests, with recruiting methods to select our type of user. This includes being able to use screener questions to recruit specialized users (ex. being able to recruit someone who is a middle school teacher in the science field).

Companies did not have a VPAT. When queried companies were specifically asked if they had a VPAT, but the companies responded in the negative.

If the requirements are not sourced from the brand name platform, UserZoom/UserTesting, NESDIS products and services owners will lack critical insights into the usability and user experience of their websites and applications. Without this data, SAE will lose valuable feedback from the user community, which is essential for enhancing overall usability and improving customer experience.

5. Market Research.

The project management office has conducted market research through a GSA search and met with companies that were potentially capable of meeting the need. Of the companies that were researched and met with, only UserTesting/UserZoom was able to meet or exceed all of the capabilities that are required.

Other companies were not able to meet our standards, including:

Lacking analysis tools or visualizations (like word clouds, headmaps), limiting the deeper data analysis and tools for in-depth user research

Inaccurate audio transcription, requiring researchers to spend additional time verifying and correcting the transcripts

Did not have testing capabilities that included both live and moderated testing or types of tests, such as card sorts, tree tests, click tests, live intercept, and basic usability tests Did not have participant recruiting capabilities or a high-quality, diverse participant panel to participant in our tests

AGO posted a sources sought notice though SAM.gov for this requirement and four (4) responses were received, however, only one of the responses was determined to be capable of performing the requirement.

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Amber Hill Physical Scientist, SAE COR Date

7. Determination

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Maryann M. Orellana Date Contracting Officer

10/22/24

10/22/2024

HILL.AMBER.LACRIS

HA.1057218025

Digitally signed by

HILL.AMBER.LACRISHA.1057218025

Date: 2024.10.22 12:36:55 -04'00'

ORELLANA.MARYAN

N.MEZA.1573651860

Digitally signed by

ORELLANA.MARYANN.MEZA.1573651860

Date: 2024.10.22 13:59:25 -04'00'