Request for Proposals

Date:​ 04.20.2020
Project Name:​ Building a reusable mobile platform to collect research data
Prepared by:​ Juan Espinoza, MD, Co-Director, SC CTSI Clinical Research Informatics

1 | SUMMARY

Mobile applications are key tools to collect patient-generated health data (PGHD) and
patient-reported outcomes (PRO). The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science
Institute (SC CTSI) is looking for a mobile developer to partner with to create a reusable mobile
framework that integrates MyCap (the mobile app version of REDCap) with Research
Kit/Research Stack in order to create a single mobile experience that can administer surveys,
collect phone sensor data, and leverage APIs to extract data from connected devices, including
wearables, medical devices, and IoT devices. The selected vendor will work closely with the
Clinical Research Informatics (CRI) team to become familiar with our technology stack,
understand the requirements for research tools, and eventually transition the technology to our
team for ongoing support and maintenance.

2 | PROJECT SCOPE

This SOW covers the following activities and deliverables:

1. Understand the CRI Technology Stack.

The vendor will work closely with the CRI team to understand what is possible to build
leveraging our existing platforms and technologies. The vendor will familiarize themselves with
capabilities and limitations, as well as the feature roadmap to understand what may become
possible in the future. The goal is to make a final product that is consistent with our team and
technologies’ capabilities.

2. Develop an Appropriate Mobile Solution That Meets our Requirements.

The vendor will propose and build a mobile platform that can:
● Administer REDCap/MyCap survey instruments to study participants
● Collect data from built-in phone sensors
● Collect data from wearables, IoT devices, and medical devices
● Deliver that data to our existing, HIPAA-compliant research database
● Be used for multiple research studies
● Be white-labeled for use in different settings
● Leverage native OS functionalities like calendar and push notifications
Figure 1. Generic App Architecture

3. Perform Adequate Testing

The vendor will be expected to conduct user testing and track issues using any
industry-standard platform (e.g., JIRA). CRI will provide testers as needed. The issue tracking
platform should be easy to access and reviewable by key stakeholders at CRI.

4. Create appropriate project documentation

The vendor will maintain detailed documentation of the app development and provide a
codebase at the end of the project. The vendor will also be expected to create documentation
for the maintenance and support of the system. Finally the vendor will help CRI create training
and education materials for both researchers and study participants.

5. Transition the Project to the CRI Team

The vendor will work with and train CRI staff as needed on the implementation, maintenance,
and upgrade of the system. The Vendor will provide all necessary documentation to support the
hand-off.

6. Support Technical Aspects of Deployment/Dissemination (as needed)

If required, the vendor will support CRI in submitting the application to the various app stores, o
other key activities in the dissemination and distribution of the app.
Useful Links:
● SC-CTSI Clinical Research Informatics
● REDCap Consortium
● MyCap mobile app
● Apple ResearchKit
● Google ResearchStack

3 | BUDGET

We anticipate receiving proposals with budgets in line with the expected limited scope of work.
There is some flexibility depending on the exact scope of work proposed by the vendor. Please
be aware that academic institutions’ financial cycles move slower than commercial entities.

4 | SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL

Please send all proposals as a single PDF document to​ jespinoza@chla.usc.edu​. Proposals
should include:
● Cover Letter
● Proposed statement of work
● Budget and timeline
● Work samples, preferably mobile application design or healthcare design, may be
included as links to online content.

If you have any questions about the project or this announcement, please contact:

Juan Espinoza, MD, FAAP

Co-Director, SC CTSI Clinical Research Informatics
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics | Department of Pediatrics
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | Keck School of Medicine of USC
4650 Sunset Blvd., Mailstop #76 | Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ph: 323.361.2721 | Fax: 323.361.4429 | jespinoza@chla.usc.edu