SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Laboratory & Field Evaluation of a Physiologically Based Sampling Pump for Assessing a Worker's Exposure to Chemicals at the Work Place
- Notice Date
- 4/13/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 611310
— Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch (Morgantown), 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505
- ZIP Code
- 26505
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-000HCC34-2006-30783
- Response Due
- 5/2/2006
- Archive Date
- 6/2/2006
- Description
- NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ALOSH, Morgantown, WV requires laboratory and field evaluation of a physiologically based sampling pump for assessing a worker?s exposure to chemicals at the work place. NIOSH is interested in a new paradigm for exposure assessment. Exposures are traditionally measured by drawing air through a filter medium at a constant rate over a work-day. However, workers do not breathe at the same rate all day. If maxima in the beathing rate correlate with maxima in the exposure profile, exposures may be seriously underestimated. A physoilogic sampling pump (PSP) is under development at NIOSH, which will alter its flow-rate according to physiolgoical inputs. Phase I was announced and advertised. It consisted of the following objectives A. Evaluation of LifeShirt hardware / software capabilities B. Initial laboratory evaluation of LifeShirt performance 1. PSU and NIOSH IRB approval to be obtained 2. LifeShirt system output parameters and ventilation rates recorded for different subjects, activities C. Development of protocol/algorithms for estimating ventilation rate 1. Ventilation rates to be recorded for 4-6 subjects simulating construction work activities representing a realistic range of work-rates 2. Modeling of ventilation rate as function of HR, physical characteristics, LifeShirt output a. Examination of traditional statistical based regression techniques Vs. neural networks for modeling ventilation rates 3. Examination of individual versus group calibration methods D. Preparation for comparison of LifeShirt system-based estimation of ventilation rates to existing models in FY 07, to include actual ventilation rates measured for range of work activities and compared to predicted rates from LifeShirt- and HR-based models Phase II: Laboratory Evaluation of PSP system Approximately 20-30 subjects representing the demographics of the construction industries will be involved. These subjects will be selected so as to have similar ventilation rates to those subjects already characterized in Phase I, task C. Subjects will be asked to wear the PSP system, traditional sampling pump (TSP) system and a photoionization detector (PID). Each subject will be exposed to ethyl benzene concentration in a chamber (1.5m x 1.5m x 2.3m) built in a laboratory and asked to perform exercise or rest according to the designated work-rest regimen. A typical regimen would consist of six, ten-minute periods over which a subject alternates between stepping at rates of 10, 15, or 20 steps/min, and resting. Also, each subject will be asked to hold a paint brush or roller and raise his/her arm each time the subject performs stepping exercise. At the end of experiment, charcoal tubes connected to the upstream of PSP and TSP will be removed and sent to the NIOSH contract laboratory for analysis. Expected data will be ethyl benzene concentrations from PSP and TSP systems, personal exposures from a PID, chamber concentrations from a PID, and descriptive data (minimum, maximum, and average volume of sampled air) from physiologic pump. Each subject will repeat the same experiment at least twice. The data will be correlated with ventilation and heart-rate model developed in Phase I, task D. Phase III: Field Evaluation of PSP System This field study will consist of recruitment of approximately 10 subjects, from the pool considered in Phase II, to undergo monitoring during actual painting and sealing tasks. In addition to obtaining ethyl benzene exposure, toluene and xylene will be measured because these are major constituents of solvent-based paints. As well as subjects in Phase II, subjects in this phase will be asked to wear PSP, TSP, and PID monitor and to perform regular work for a full-day work shift. At the end of the workday, sampled charcoal tubes will be sent to the NIOSH contract laboratory for analysis. Expected data in this test will be time-weighted average concentrations of ethyl benzene, toluene and xylene, personal exposures from a PID, and descriptive data (minimum, maximum, and average volume of sampled air) from physiologic pump. Each subject will be involved at least twice in the field evaluation. The Government intents to negotiate Phases II & III, on a sole-source basis with Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Changing laboratories at this time could lead to compromise of the data due to inter-laboratory variations. This notice is issued for informational purposes only. Any interested party may identify themselves to the contracting officer no later than fifteen (15) days from the date of this announcement. Submit information to Rebecca Mullenax, Reference: 000HCC34-2006-30783, DHHS/PHS/CDC/NIOSH/ALOSH, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. The intent of this synopsis is to determine if any sources exist, therefore, no solicitation will be issued. A determination by the Contracting Officer not to compete this action is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received within 15 days, award will be made to Pennsylvania State University. Original Point of Contact Rebecca Mullenax, Purchasing Agent, Phone 304-285-5880, Fax 304-285-6083, Email RMULLENAX@CDC.GOV. Brenda Goodwin, Contract Specialist, Phone 304-285-5882, Fax 304-285-6083 and Email bcg1@cdc.gov.
- Record
- SN01027327-W 20060415/060413220332 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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