R499--PTSD-SPECIFIC UX, DESIGN, TESTING, AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBILE APPS

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for UX, design, testing, and content development for mobile applications supporting the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

• Project Management: Deliver a Contractor Project Management Plan (CPMP), provide monthly progress reports, and conduct a technical kickoff meeting.

• Mobile Application Software Testing and Content Writing:

  • Trauma-Informed Mobile Application User Experience (UX) Testing: Conduct comprehensive UX testing for mobile apps designed for Veterans with PTSD, focusing on user experience, clinical appropriateness, and safety. This includes evaluating design, content, and interaction patterns.
  • Evidence-Based Clinical Content Writing: Develop and write up-to-date clinical content for PTSD-focused mobile apps and public health education materials, ensuring alignment with scientific evidence, VA standards, and clinical guidelines.
  • Trauma-Informed Mobile Application Testing: Perform testing of NCPTSD native mobile apps for PTSD, including device and context-aware testing, clinically informed validation, evaluation of alignment with evidence-based PTSD care, clinical safety assessment, trauma-informed design, and accessibility testing.

• Monthly Progress Reports detailing work completed, planned work, problem resolution, and ICT deliverable status.

• Weekly meetings to brief VA on task status, projected schedule, and risk mitigation.

• Deliverables must meet established UX research and human-centered design principles.

• Content must be evidence-based, accurate, and appropriate for the target audience.

• Testing must adhere to clinical safety, risk awareness, and confidentiality standards.

Not explicitly stated in the provided document excerpt, but implies ongoing support for mobile app development and maintenance.

• Personnel must have formal clinical training and professional experience related to PTSD.
• Must demonstrate familiarity with evidence-based PTSD treatments and clinical risk factors.
• Must utilize an issue tracking system (NCPTSD GitHub).
• Must adhere to Section 508 accessibility compliance.
• Must use trauma-informed design and platform consistency principles.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information regarding capabilities for clinical testing and content writing support for mental health mobile applications. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is gathering market research to inform its acquisition strategy and potential Performance Work Statement (PWS). This RFI is not a solicitation and does not commit the Government to any contract award or payment for information provided.

The VA requires ongoing user experience (UX) input from Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Offerors must demonstrate experience in:

• Clinical psychology or PTSD-specific expertise.

• UX testing within clinical psychology or PTSD contexts with Veterans.

• Content writing for PTSD health education.

• Developing and leading trauma-informed UX studies.

• Integrating findings into clinically appropriate, safe, and effective public education materials for mobile apps. A DRAFT PWS is attached for specific requirements.

• Deadline: June 23, 2026, 2 PM Eastern Time.

• Submission Method: Email to Jamilah.Green@va.gov (Contract Specialist) and john.fields3@va.gov (Contracting Officer).

• Page Limit: 10 pages.

• Restrictions: No marketing materials allowed.

• Content: Provide comprehensive responses to identify offeror capabilities. Partial responses are not acceptable.

Offerors are asked to provide:

• Company/Vendor Information: Name, CAGE/UEI, address, POC, contact details, and list of prime federal contracts.

• Business Size: Classification as small or large business under NAICS 541512 (or alternative NAICS with rationale).

• Small Business Status: Type of small business and compliance with FAR 52.219-6 and 52.219-14.

• SDVOSB Status: Capability to perform at least 51% of personnel costs and compliance with VAAR 852.219-10/11.

• PWS Clarity: Assessment of the draft PWS's sufficiency and recommendations for improvement.

• Specific Capabilities: Detailed explanations regarding:

  • Immediate provision of user input from Veterans with PTSD.
  • Management of multiple concurrent UX studies.
  • Maintenance of Veteran privacy.
  • UX study design and outcomes, including product design experience for mental health.
  • Presentation of trauma-informed UX findings to diverse stakeholders.
  • Experience with trauma-informed methodology and care for PTSD.
  • Qualifications and experience of a proposed Clinical UX Lead.
  • Integration of clinical judgment and trauma-informed practices.
  • Writing patient-facing, trauma-informed clinical education materials.
  • Mobile application testing for mental health/trauma.
  • Management of acute distress during trauma-informed UX research.

• RFI Response Due Date: June 23, 2026

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Information (RFI) for PTSD-specific UX, design, testing, and content development for mobile applications. The government is seeking information to understand industry capabilities in this area.

• UX, design, testing, and content development for mobile applications focused on PTSD.

Not specified in this RFI.

• Interested parties should refer to the attached documents for further details.
• Key deadlines or milestones: Response Date/Time/Zone is 06-23-2026 2:00PM EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA.

Not specified in this RFI.

• Solicitation Number: 36C10B26Q0518
• Contracting Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Technology Acquisition Center, Eatontown NJ 07724.
• Product/Service Code: R499
• NAICS Code: 541512
• Referenced Attachments: RFI_Mental Health Mobile Applications_Final, PWS_Mobile Apps Testing and UX_Draft_Ver 1.0.