Project Information

Bid Title

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - Usability Testing Service for NOAA/NESDIS/SAE

Issuing Agency

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF

Location

Maryland

Published Date

Feb 24, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 6, 2026

Government Level

Federal

Status

Closed

Ref. #

144016-26-0008

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

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INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - Usability Testing Service for NOAA/NESDIS/SAE

Active

Contract Opportunity

Notice ID

144016-26-0008

Related Notice

Department/Ind. Agency

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF

Sub-tier

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

Office

DEPT OF COMMERCE NOAA

General Information View Changes

• Contract Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Updated)
• Updated Published Date: Feb 24, 2026 11:17 am EST
• Original Published Date: Feb 24, 2026 10:57 am EST
• Updated Response Date: Mar 06, 2026 03:00 pm EST
• Original Response Date: Mar 11, 2026 03:00 pm EDT
• Inactive Policy: 15 days after response date
• Updated Inactive Date: Mar 21, 2026
• Original Inactive Date: Mar 26, 2026
• Initiative:
  • None

Classification

• Original Set Aside:
• Product Service Code: R799 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: OTHER
• NAICS Code:
  • 541519 - Other Computer Related Services
• Place of Performance:
  Silver Spring , MD
  USA

Description

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.

Attachments/Links

Contact Information

Contracting Office Address

• SATELLITE AND INFORMATION ACQUISITI 1325 EAST WEST HWY, RM. 11323
• SILVER SPRING , MD 20910
• USA

Primary Point of Contact

• Audrey Hogg
• audrey.hogg@noaa.gov
• Phone Number 2406211966

Secondary Point of Contact

• Bryton Curtis
• Bryton.Curtis@noaa.gov

History

• Feb 24, 2026 11:17 am ESTSpecial Notice (Updated)
• Feb 24, 2026 10:57 am EST Special Notice (Original)

Commodity Codes

• FSC RProfessional, Administrative and Management Support Services

• NAICS 541519Other Computer Related Services

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