INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - USABILITY TESTING SERVICE FOR NOAA/NESDIS/SAE

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS), and the Systems and Architecture Engineering (SAE) Office, intends to solicit, negotiate and award on a sole source basis a contract with UserTesting/UserZoom for the procurement of a web-based tool/platform that will help execute, document and analyze robust usability testing of NOAA/NESDIS/OSAAP digital offerings (websites, products, etc.) as part of the development process which will validate that NOAA/NESDIS/SAE products and services are serving users successfully, and provide actionable information that can be used to improve products and services.

The Government intends to utilize the authority under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a), Special Documentation Requirements and FAR 8.405-6(1)(B), Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized, unless, as a result of this announcement, acceptable responses to this notice are received and determination is made by the Government to issue a competitive solicitation. The Government intends to award a contract to UserTesting/UserZoom for procurement of a web-based tool/platform that will help execute, document and analyze robust usability testing of NOAA/NESDIS/OSAAP digital offerings due to only one source being able to meet the full capabilities and levels needed and required by the SAE program office. UserTesting/UserZoom is the only vendor who has documentation confirming that their platform is 508 compliant, as required by federal law. UserTesting/UserZoom provided a VPAT (an independent evaluation) displaying that their platform has achieved an "AA" level of compliance with accessibility requirements under international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG. This is the level of conformance at which a site is considered usable and understandable to the majority of users, both with and without disabilities. SAE has an obligation to reach test subjects with disabilities. This compliance will mitigate the risk of lawsuits under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. UserTesting/UserZoom also ensures that SAE will have full participation, without technical barrier, for both colleagues and citizens who may participate in our testing program.

Offerors that propose a solution using other than UserTesting/UserZoom must furnish detailed specifications and description to demonstrate their capability to provide a web-based tool/platform that will help execute, document and analyze robust usability testing that satisfy the Government's need. To be considered, interested, parties must be able to demonstrate their ability to provide a comparable web-based tool/platform that meets the specific characteristics outlined above. Capability information shall include, at minimum, name, telephone number, address of customers for which you have previously provided the platform, and a detailed narrative that describes your ability to provide the web-based platform as specified. Interested parties must respond via email to the Contracting Specialist (bryton.curtis@noaa.gov) and Contracting Officer (Audrey.hogg@noaa.gov) prior to the closing of this notice.

The NAICS code for this requirement is 541519. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with the only known source that can provide the web-based tool/platform that will help execute, document and analyze robust usability testing for SAE This is NOT a request for proposals and there is NO solicitation available at this time.

The Government reserves the right to solicit quotes based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this posting without further notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to open competition to businesses other than UserTesting/UserZoom.