INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - Usability Testing Service for NOAA/NESDIS/SAE
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS), and the Systems and Architecture Engineering (SAE) Office intend to award a sole source contract to UserTesting/UserZoom for a web-based usability testing service. This notice invites other capable vendors to demonstrate their ability to provide a comparable solution. Responses are due March 6, 2026.
Purpose & Background
NOAA/NESDIS/SAE requires a web-based tool to execute, document, and analyze robust usability testing for its digital offerings (websites, products). This service will validate that products successfully serve users and provide actionable insights for improvement. The government intends to sole source to UserTesting/UserZoom under FAR 13.501(a) and FAR 8.405-6(1)(B), citing that UserTesting/UserZoom is the only known source capable of meeting all requirements, particularly 508 compliance (WCAG "AA" level). This compliance is crucial for testing with subjects with disabilities and mitigating legal risks under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Scope of Requirements
The required platform must facilitate comprehensive usability testing, including:
- Core Functionality: Setup tests for websites/digital products with remote users, provide templates, access to service-supplied test subjects, record voice/screen, allow use of own test subjects, participant recruitment, test diverse digital products, provide time-stamped transcripts, scheduling, and assess SAE-owned Google Sites.
- Capacity: Support for at least 10 administrators and 50 collaborators.
- Highly Preferred Features: Live moderated testing, unmoderated testing (card sorting, tree testing, click tests), advanced analytics with executive-level display, proprietary machine learning for insights, professional services, no-code deployment, ability to test non-digital prototypes, support for diverse testing methodologies, customer experience surveys, and agile-consistent testing templates.
- IT Compliance: Systems must be IPv6 capable, configurable for PIV-compliant smart card authentication (HSPD-12), compliant with FIPS PUB 201, and adhere to USGv6 Profile (NIST Special Publication 800-119).
Contract & Response Details
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Intent to Sole Source)
- NAICS Code: 541519 (Other Computer Related Services)
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Response Deadline: March 6, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC.
- Submission: Offerors proposing alternative solutions must furnish detailed specifications and descriptions demonstrating their capability to provide a comparable web-based tool meeting the outlined characteristics. Responses, including customer references and a detailed narrative, must be emailed to bryton.curtis@noaa.gov and audrey.hogg@noaa.gov.
Important Notes
This is NOT a request for proposals, and no solicitation is available at this time. The government reserves the right to solicit quotes based on acceptable responses to this notice. Information received will be considered solely to determine if competition is feasible.