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Choose a Challenge Platform

Challenge Planning—Step 4 of 9

There are several platforms you can use to launch your challenge. GSA runs Challenge.gov, a central platform (PDF, 480 KB, 3 pages, January 2011) that allows federal agencies to:

  • Create and launch a challenge on a platform that is policy–compliant, secure, accessible, and free;
  • Reach large and diverse groups of people;
  • Showcase challenges being run on other platforms;
  • Engage the public through voting and email updates to those who sign–up as followers; and
  • Publicize your challenge. Site visitors can easily share challenges with their friends and family through email, Facebook and Twitter.

Challenge.gov Policy Docs 

GSA worked to ensure Challenge.gov was compliant with federal laws and regulations. The fact sheets below describe how Challenge.gov meets these requirements.

  • Accessibility (MS Word, 76 KB, 1 page, September 2010)—Challenge.gov was rigorously tested for compliance with the 1998 Amendment to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
  • Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA) (PDF, 259 KB, 1 page, November 2010)—If a child is under 13, a parent or guardian must operate their Challenge.gov account.
  • Persistent “Cookies" and Collection of Personal Data (PDF, 397 KB, 1 page, November 2010)—Challenge.gov’s cookies do not collect any Personally Identifiable Information (PII). 
  • Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (PDF, 309 KB, November 2010)—Having each challenge entrant supply the same information on Challenge.gov does not trigger the PRA.
  • OMB's Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF, 358.9 KB, 5 pages, March 2012)–Addresses agency questions related to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and challenges and prizes.
  • Privacy (PDF, 396 KB, 1 page, November 2010)—Personally Identifiable Information (PII) collected on Challenge.gov at registration is not accessible to the federal government.
  • Security (PDF, 266 KB, 1 page, November 2010)—The infrastructure for Challenge.gov is hosted within the Amazon EC2 Cloud. The Amazon environment has undergone a SAS-70 Type II audit.
There are other options, besides Challenge.gov:
 
Costs Links/Examples
Free Tools Additional free tools with federal–compatible Terms of Service Agreements are available. Examples include STCI/VenCorps and YouTube. These can be used for online challenges.
Fee–Based Providers. Some challenge platforms charge a flat fee, a percentage of the prize, or a per–month fee based on the amount of users.

Some challenge platforms offer specialized solver communities. NASA has used InnoCentive to reach scientists and TopCoder to reach software developers.

GSA developed a Schedule for Challenge and Competition Services. These contractors can help you design, implement, publicize and evaluate challenges. Start preparing a Statement of Work (MS Word, 49 KB, 3 pages, August 2012)(SOW) if you think you will take advantage of this option. 

 

Next Step

Identify the rules for your challenge.

 

 

Content Lead: Karen Trebon
Page Reviewed/Updated: August 7, 2012

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