NSF Sources Sought: Single Point of Entry, Platform and Process for Requesting Access to Restricted-Use Microdata

Notice ID: 49100424K0030

The SAP creates a single application portal for applying for access to federal confidential data assets from the nation’s federal statistical agencies and units. It standardizes the application forms, determination criteria, and review timeframes across agencies when applying for access to any federal restricted-use data asset.

By streamlining data discovery and standardizing the application process, the SAP promotes civic engagement, increases transparency, and supports private-sector decision-making, basic research, and policymaking at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels.

Applicants are able to:

• Browse a metadata inventory of confidential data assets
• Determine whether the confidential data asset is appropriate for their use case
• Apply for that data using a common application
• Track application status/progress and results

The purpose of this procurement is to support the National Center for Science and Engineering platform and standard process for requesting access to restricted-use microdata. NCSES is a recognized statistical agency and part of the National Science Foundation’s(NSF) Directorate for Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE). This role – outlined in the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of  of 2010 (Section 505) — directed NCSES to serve as a central federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data.

The Evidence Act, enacted in January 2019, emphasizes collaboration and coordination to advance data and evidence-building functions in the Federal Government. While anchored on existing principles underlying Federal policies and data investment infrastructure, the Evidence Act creates a new paradigm by calling on agencies to significantly rethink how they currently plan and organize evidence-building, data management, and access functions to ensure an integrated and direct connection to data and evidence needs. Currently, Federal agencies each have their own processes, procedures, and user interfaces for providing access to data.

This project meets the requirement to provide an internet-based managed-service for all statistical agencies and units. The service will provide a portal page for statistical agencies and units where prospective data users (to include individuals and those associated with specific  projects) may submit requests for restricted-use microdata. This service shall allow external parties to submit a request to access restricted-use data from statistical agencies and units. The service will provide agencies with user accounts for the purpose of approvals (e.g., enabling an agency’s reviewers to log into the portal and post their evaluations of applications). Prospective data user requests and associated application agency for review in the same system.

Critical features associated with the requirements include:

• Internet based, web-accessible through modern browsers.
• Ability to support at least 16 federal agencies with scalability for the addition of new agencies as needed.
• Scalable architecture that can support a minimum of 500 submissions per hour and 100 concurrent users.
• Ability to control access to request documents (i.e., the application for data) based on cognizant/responsible agency, i.e., Inherent Security Controls such as Cyber, Information, Access, etc., modifiable to any unique federal agency requirements.
• Ability to automatically control routing, processing, and distribution of data request information and supporting documents.
• Ability for agency-initiated actions (i.e., allow, block, delete, redact), and User/Project initiated actions (i.e., allow, block, delete, redact).
• Ability within the system to provide opportunities for application tracking, project reviews, appeals, project reviews, credentialing, and transparent metrics on the process, including aggregate metrics and metrics by agency.
• Ability within the system for the application to allow for skip patterns to account for variation in agency requirements.
• Intuitive User Interface with modern design standards and 508 compliances.
• Adherence to federal and agency security standards and protocols, including the ability to provide secure account credentials, digital signatures, encrypt data at rest and in transit, and handle moderate level data.
• Establishment and allowance of secure, trusted connections with other organizations to allow request processing by both the cognizant owner and steward of requested data.
• Ability to provide approval levels/certification and/or credentialing to data requestors, projects, or both.

The anticipated POP includes One 24-month base period, plus three 12-month option years.

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