SAM #CDC-NCHS-2027-10162026

CDC seeks manual vital-record coding, quality review, and validation services

HHS, through CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, is researching contractor capacity for manual coding and quality review of vital statistics records. - Government buyer: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Vital Statistics (DVS), Data Acquisition, Classification and Evaluation Branch (DACEB). - Services requested: Manually code causes of death on mortality and fetal-death records that automated systems cannot code, plus quality reviews, record corrections, and coding to validate the automated system. - Workload and quality: Expected production is 25,000–45,000 records per month; the performance matrix also sets a minimum of 16,500 records monthly in the base year or a monthly rate based on records purchased. Production coding must maintain an error rate below 4%; quality-review and validation work must average below 2% error. - Turnaround and staffing: Quality-review batches are due within two weeks of assignment; validation records are due within one week. The contractor must provide qualified coders, including NCHS-certified nosologists or similarly qualified medical coders, and adjust staffing for changing volumes, priorities, and interruptions. - Work environment and transition: Work is expected to be remote using Government-furnished computers, PIV credentials, CDC network access, and secure handling of Government information. A written transition-in plan is required shortly after award, with staffing, onboarding, training, access, quality, and production milestones; the draft plan calls for beginning performance within 30 calendar days after award. - OEMs and vendors: No OEMs, products, or vendors are named. This is a market-research notice seeking capability information, not a request for proposals.

Description

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Vital Statistics (DVS), is conducting market research to identify qualified and capable sources to provide information management services supporting the manual coding of causes of death on mortality and fetal death records for the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). The requirement includes coding records that cannot be coded electronically and coding or reviewing records for quality control and automated-system validation. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561499, All Other Business Support Services.

There is no solicitation at this time. This request for capability information is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals, an invitation for bids, or a commitment by the Government. Submission of information is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information submitted or reimburse any costs incurred in responding to this notice.

If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these services, please provide the following information. Responses should be concise and limited to the information necessary for the Government to assess capability and determine the appropriate acquisition strategy:

Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI, and the size and type of ownership of the organization. Identify whether the organization is currently certified or eligible under the 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, or WOSB programs, and provide the applicable certification information. State whether the organization is currently small under NAICS 561499. A tailored capability statement, no more than one page in length, addressing the organization's experience and capacity to perform the requirement, including: (a) experience manually coding causes of death on mortality and fetal death records using ICD-based procedures; (b) availability of NCHS-certified nosologists or other similarly qualified medical coders; (c) experience meeting production and accuracy requirements for high-volume coding; (d) ability to begin performance within one week after award and provide continuing support; (e) ability to support quality-control and system-validation coding; and (f) experience protecting sensitive Government information and working with Government-furnished computers, PIV cards, and network access. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated, identify the proposed arrangement and the responsibilities of each participant.

Note: In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10.001(b), respondents should not submit more information than is necessary to demonstrate the capability requested in this notice.

The Government will evaluate the market information to determine whether there are capable sources that can:

Provide services consistent in scope and scale with this requirement, including manual coding of mortality and fetal death records and related quality-control or validation activities; Provide qualified personnel, including NCHS-certified nosologists or similarly qualified medical coders, in sufficient numbers to meet variable workload requirements; Meet the anticipated performance requirements, including beginning performance within one week after award, providing continuing weekday support, meeting required production levels, and maintaining an error rate below four percent; and Protect Government information and perform work using Government-furnished equipment and required CDC/NCHS systems and access controls.

Based on the responses to this Sources Sought notice, the Government may pursue an acquisition under the 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, or another small-business program; a total small-business set-aside; or full and open competition. The Government will not provide feedback or evaluations to companies regarding their submissions in response to this notice. The Government may use information received to determine whether two or more capable small businesses or socioeconomic firms are available to support the requirement.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties that consider themselves qualified to perform the services described in this notice must complete Attachment 2, Sources Sought Response Questions, and submit the completed attachment with their capability statement. Responses must be submitted by Thursday 22 October 2026, 2:00 pm ET, to Ann Bonis, Contracting Officer, at won5@cdc.gov. The subject line should read: “Sources Sought Response – NCHS/DVS Coding of Vital Statistics Data – NAICS 561499.” Responses shall be provided in PDF format and should not exceed three pages (one page capability statement, two pages response to Attachment 2 questions).

Questions concerning this opportunity may be directed to Ann Bonis, Contracting Officer, at won5@cdc.gov or Sheena Delaine, Alternate Contracting Officer, at kpz5@cdc.gov.

Attachment 1 – DRAFT Performance Work Statement

Attachment 2 – Sources Sought Government Questions to Interested Vendors

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