R -- Internet Audience Measurement

In accordance with FAR Part 13, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to procure internet audience measurement services on a sole source basis from comScore Networks, Inc. The NAICS code is 514191 and the period of performance shall be for a period of one year from September 25, 2007 to September 24, 2008. In FY00, NLM contracted with PCDataOnline, Inc. for Internet audience measurement services. The Internet audience measurement accounts, including NLM's, were bought by comScore Networks, Inc. comScore Networks honored the PCDataOnline contract by providing netScore data for the duration of the contract. Additionally, comScore took steps to reconcile the netScore data with the PCDataOnline data to assure a complete and continuous time series. In FY01, FY02, FY03, FY04, FY05, and FY06, NLM selected comScore Networks to continue to provide the Internet audience measurement service with custom subdomain drill-downs NLM staff determined that comScore Networks Inc. is uniquely qualified to maintain continuity with the earlier PCData and netScore time series data, offer the necessary flexibility in meeting NLM's needs for custom analyses and drill down data, and provide by far the most complete coverage of the domestic (home, school, work) and international user segments based on the largest panel size and thus offering a basis for more comprehensive and accurate usage estimates. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Internet and World Wide Web (WWW or web) now play a dominant role in dissemination of NLM information services. And the web environment in which NLM operates is rapidly changing and intensely competitive. These two factors combined suggested the need for a more comprehensive and dynamic NLM web planning and evaluation process. Accordingly, the NLM Director, Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg, and the NLM Associate Director for Health Information Programs Development, Dr. Elliot R. Siegel, have approved an ongoing Web Evaluation Project.. The immediate priorities of the Web Evaluation Project include: a) quantitative and qualitative metrics of web usage; b) measures of customer perception and use of NLM web sites; and c) monitoring of the quality of Internet connections by which users access NLM information services. The Web Evaluation Project is pursuing an integrated approach intended to encourage exchange of information and learning within NLM, and help better inform NLM management decision-making on web site research, development, and implementation. The Web Evaluation Project has reviewed and discussed a range of internal and external activities, including the proposed work that is the focus of this contract renewal request. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE FOR THIS PROCUREMENT: The contractor shall support NLM in the above efforts. SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor shall provide NLM with Internet audience measurement services as follows: 1. Basic Internet Audience Measurement Monthly Data. The contractor shall provide monthly data on US and international Internet audience estimates using domestic and international user panels that are of sufficient size to provide statistically valid (approx. +/- 3% at 90% confidence level) audience data for the US and non-US usage. The contractor shall have an established, verified Internet audience measurement methodology that will be explained in detail, in writing to NLM. The contractor shall provide US, non-US, and Global Internet audience measurement data on several metrics, including but not limited to: unique visitors; total visits; total pages downloaded; average time per visit. The data will be updated monthly. The data will be provided for overall web traffic, national traffic, and select local market traffic for about 10,000 most heavily used Web sites, and demographic data for about 5,000 most heavily used Web sites. US data will include Home, Work, and School sectors. The contractor shall have sufficient archived data to provide at least 3 years time series trends for US and non-US usage of major Web sites. Ideally the contractor shall have additional years time series trend data. The contractor shall provide NLM with at least 5 access codes for direct Web-based client access to Internet audience measurement data, and will provide persons designated by NLM with periodic updates on new data availability and special analyses. 2. Select Health and Government Sector Monthly Audience Data. The contractor shall provide monthly reports on US, non-US, and Global Internet audience data for a total of 24 Web sites, 12 health sector Web sites and 12 Government sector Web sites to be selected by NLM. The monthly reports will include data on the following metrics: unique visitors; minutes; visits; pages; minutes per visit; visits per visitor; pages per visit; pages per visitor; minutes per visit; time series on select metrics. US data will include Home, Work, and School sectors. The monthly select sector reports will be provided electronically in Word or Excel format. 3. NIH/NLM Detailed Subdomain Monthly Audience Data. The contractor shall provide monthly reports on US, non-US, and Global Internet audience data for all significant NIH/NLM subdomains, with the reporting structure of NIH and NLM Web sites to be mutually agreed to. For the agreed subdomains (Web sites), the monthly reports will include data on the following metrics: unique visitors; minutes; visits; pages; minutes per visit; visits per visitor; pages per visit; pages per visitor; minutes per visit; time series on select metrics. The monthly subdomain reports will be provided electronically in Word or Excel formats. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES: The contractor shall provide NLM with the service as specified above. Reports to be provided on a monthly basis. The contractor shall provide NLM with five access codes for online access to reports and other deliverables. CONTRACT AMOUNT AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Total payable in one payment, net 30. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS: All deliverables will be inspected and approved by the NLM Project Officer: Evaluation Criteria Total Possible Technical Score = 100 PTS. Proposals submitted for providing the technical support described above to NLM, shall be evaluated on the following criteria. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD GENERAL The major evaluation factors for this request for quotation include technical factors (which encompasses vendor experience), and cost/price factors. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, cost/price is also important to the overall contract award decision. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. Offerors are advised that award will be made to that offeror whose quotation provides the best overall value to the Government. The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Contractors in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the Statement of Work. The merits of each quotation will be evaluated carefully. The offeror must submit information sufficient to evaluate their quotation based on the detailed criteria listed below. Failure to provide the information required may result in rejection of the quotation without further consideration. Mandatory Criteria The offeror must be able to provide all services and support as described in the Statement of work. Evaluation Criteria Technical Capability (60 POINTS) The criteria below are listed in the order of relative importance for evaluation purposes: ? Comprehensiveness of Internet audience measurement coverage for the most heavily used Web sites and total number of Web sites. ? Inclusion of both U.S. and non-U.S. Web sites in the Internet audience measurements. ? Sufficient panel size and measurement methodology to assure statistical validity of U.S. national measurement results at approximately +/- 3 percent (90% confidence level), or equivalent. ? Ability to compare current Internet audience measurements results with at least 3 prior years of survey results, and preferably 5. ? Extensive experience in planning, designing, and conducting nationwide and international Internet audience measurements with regard to health and government sector Web sites. Analytical Service Support (30 POINTS) ? Comprehensive analysis and reporting of Internet audience measurement results. ? In-person and custom analytical and briefing services. ? Full client access to all Internet audience measurement results and related analyses and reports. Corporate Related Experience (10 POINTS) ? Conducting U.S. and global Internet audience measurements of the health sector should be part of the core competency of the offeror. ? The offeror should have a leadership position in the Internet audience measurement business. A final best-buy analysis will be performed taking into consideration the results of the technical evaluation, cost/price analysis, and ability to complete the work as described. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available, however, all responsive sources may submit a proposal in a timely manner which will be considered by NLM. Firms interested in responding to the notice must be able to provide the referenced service as specified above. Electronic responses should be sent to singletr@mail.nlm.nih.gov and must be received by 12 PM EDT on September 21, 2007. Proposal must include pricing information and should reference Synopsis No. NLM 07-211/RLS. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Ryan Singletary, Contract Specialist, NLM on (301) 496-6546.