Usability Testing of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Internet and IntraNIMH Website

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541519 and the Small Business Size Standard is $25 million. This is a total small business set-aside.



This solicitation number is RFQ1707870 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-44.



The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) on behalf of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to issue a purchase order for the usability testing of the NIMH Internet and IntraNIMH Website.



The Contractor shall perform the following tasks (See Attached Statement of Work):

(1) Usability Testing of the redesigned NIMH Internet Website (homepage, landing and content pages).

(2) Usabilty Testing of IntraNIMH and its six major sections (i.e., Explore NIMH, Operations & Management, Work Life & Workplace, Staff Tools & Resources, Grants & Contracts, and Teams & Collaboration).



The Contract/Program Office will evaluate the offerors proposed solution and approach for meeting or exceeding the requirements based on the following considerations: Technical Approach, Proposed Personnel, Past Performance, and Price. A firm fixed price contract is anticipated to result from the award of this solicitation to the responsible and technically acceptable Offeror whose proposal provides the greatest overall value to the Government. This best value determination will be accomplished by comparing the differences in the technical factors for competing offers, based on their strengths, weaknesses, and risks, with differences in their price to the Government. In making this comparison, the Contract/Program Office is more concerned with obtaining superior technical and personnel capabilities than with making an award at the lowest overall cost to the Government. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price.



Quotations will be evaluated on the following criteria:

(1) Technical Approach: Ability to meet technical qualifications.

(2) Proposed personnel with capabilities and experience in website design, content and usability.

(3) Past Performance: Experience with three similar services in the past five years.

(4) Price/Cost: Price will be evaluated to determine price reasonableness. Price reasonableness will be established by competition and determined primarily by comparison with other offers submitted. The proposed cost/prices will also be compared to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE).



Quotations are to be sent electronically to larochek@mail.nih.gov. The anticipated award date is on or about September 13, 2010. The Period of Performance is 12 months.



The following FAR provisions shall apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items. Offerors must include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, with its offer. Clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Condition Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.