Sources Sought - NB671020-26-01667 - Human Subject Participant Recruitment Services
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 Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified vendors for Human Subject Participant Recruitment Services in Boulder, Colorado. This is a market research effort, not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), aimed at determining potential small business set-aside opportunities and identifying eligible firms of all sizes. Responses are due by May 18, 2026.
Scope of Work
NIST seeks services to recruit, screen, schedule, and manage incentives for 90 participants (45 general public, 45 first responders) for 1-hour in-person research sessions. The objective is to support the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division in gathering data to validate advanced communication technologies. Key tasks include:
- Managing the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring high show rates.
- Disbursing participant incentives ranging from $100 to $350.
- Recruiting specific first responder categories: dispatchers, firefighters, law enforcement, and EMTs.
- Conducting sessions at 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- NAICS: 541810 – Advertising Agencies (Small Business Size Standard: $25.5 million)
- Anticipated Period of Performance: Base Period (1 Year) plus four (4) Option Periods (1 Year each).
- Response Due: May 18, 2026, 23:00 PM ET
- Published: May 11, 2026
Evaluation
Responses will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-aside opportunities exist. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified, the acquisition may be solicited as a small business set-aside. NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large and small businesses (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB).
Submission Requirements
Interested organizations should submit electronic capability statements, limited to five (5) pages or less, including:
- Company Profile (number of employees, office location(s), UEI, Cage Code).
- Name of the company providing services.
- Capability sheets and examples of similar services meeting the PWS requirements.
- Identification and verification of the company’s small business status.
- Any other relevant information for developing the requirement and finalizing market research.
Special Requirements
Contractor personnel must comply with NIST security regulations, including identification badges, vehicle registration, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12). Personnel must obtain a background investigation commensurate with a "Low Risk" position sensitivity designation.