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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 01, 2010 FBO #2960
SOLICITATION NOTICE

69 -- Virtual Reality System for the NIOSH Mine Rescue and Escape Training Laboratory

Notice Date
12/30/2009
 
Notice Type
Presolicitation
 
NAICS
541512 — Computer Systems Design Services
 
Contracting Office
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch (Pittsburgh), Post Office Box 18070, Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15236-0070
 
ZIP Code
15236-0070
 
Solicitation Number
2010-N-11870
 
Point of Contact
Darrin P Barber, Phone: (412) 386-5239
 
E-Mail Address
dbarber@cdc.gov
(dbarber@cdc.gov)
 
Small Business Set-Aside
N/A
 
Description
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for conducting acquisitions in support of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This Presolicitation Notice replaces / continues the requirement identified in a previous Sources Sought notice using number 2010-N-11855. NIOSH plans to create a Mine Rescue and Escape Training Laboratory in Pittsburgh, PA which includes a two-part virtual reality system. One component will be a 360 degree stereoscopic immersive environment appropriate for group training situations and the other will be a large screen display appropriate for 3D visualization and display of 2D content. The trainee audiences are mine rescue team members and the general workforce of underground coal mines in the United States. This requirement is solicited on a full and open competition - unrestricted basis. One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements. CDC intends to award a single Firm-Fixed-Price contract for this requirement. The requirement is scheduled to be installed and fully operational with 2 training modules at the NIOSH site within 6 months after the award of a contract. The final 2 modules are scheduled to be complete within 9 months after award of a contract. The complete solicitation document and reference material will be available for downloading at www.fedbizopps.gov between 15 to 30 calendar days after the posting date of this notice. No verbal or written requests for copies will be accepted. It is the responsibility of prospective offerors to stay abreast of additional postings regarding this solicitation at the FedBizOpps Internet site. Requirement details: The Government seeks to purchase a turnkey solution which will include procurement and installation of hardware and related software and training on use of the system. The system should be PC and Windows-based. The display components must be capable of projecting dark (underground mine) and light (surface mine) environments and have automated calibration of projectors. Software demonstration of system capabilities must be included. Four training modules for use with the system are also required. The training is to be set in a virtual environment which includes an underground coal mine longwall panel and a development section. NIOSH personnel must be trained in routine system operation and maintenance. Appropriate licenses and IP rights must be provided to NIOSH. The immersive environment must be large enough for simultaneous training and observation of a full mine rescue team (5 members with equipment) and 3 other individuals playing the role of "victims" during the session. The projection screen must be 360 degrees and tall enough to give the illusion of wrapping overhead of the trainees. The proposed installation site is approximately 43 feet by 46 feet with a height of approximately 18 feet. Suggested screen dimensions are approximately 10 meters (32.8 feet) in diameter by 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high. The image projected must be seamless. The projection system must allow the display of both 3D and 2D content. Passive stereo with circular polarization is preferred. Methods for interaction with the virtual environment and for capturing participant responses during training are required. Motion tracking capabilities or the potential to add them to the system in the future is desired. Surround sound audio capabilities must be included. The large display screen will be used for projecting training modules and geological or engineering data sets. It should not rely on head tracking for point of view. The display should have the capability to provide one seamless image. Passive stereo with circular polarization is preferred for standardization between the two display systems. A method for displaying traditional content, such as slides and video, should also be provided. Surround sound audio capabilities must be included. Methods for interaction with the virtual environment and for capturing participant responses during training are required. The proposed installation site is approximately 9.1 meters (29.9 feet) wide with a floor to ceiling height of 3.4 meters (11.2 feet). Maximum screen size within those dimensions is preferred. Software providing a training environment which includes longwall panel and a development section in a virtual underground coal mine is required. They should be scalable for use with both display systems listed above. Interactive elements and a method for capturing trainee responses are required. Four training modules to be set in the "virtual mine" should be appropriate for use during federally mandated underground coal mine training sessions. Two modules should be simulations similar in content and length to mine rescue problems which are conducted during mine rescue contests. See http://www.msha.gov/MineRescue/PROBLEMS/CONTESTPROBLEMS.htm for example problems. Two modules should be simulations for general miners covering knowledge and skills needed for successful emergency mine evacuations. They should be roughly based on NIOSH developed training scenarios. See Harry's Hard Choices (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/products/product160.htm) for an example. The four modules will be used for research and demonstration purposes by NIOSH staff. Ability for NIOSH researchers to make future modifications to the software and to create new modules is desired. The following is a likely list of topics (in no particular order) for consideration during evaluation of proposals; [1] Completeness and usability of the overall solution, [2] Technical specifications of hardware and software, [3] Ability to meet Section 508 accessibility requirements for documents, operator controls, and interaction devices, [4] Flexibility of system hardware and software for future maintenance, modifications, and upgrades, [5] Management structure, capabilities, and personnel expertise in the areas of display technologies, creation of virtual environments, simulation-based training design and materials development, underground coal mines, and mine emergency and mine rescue training, [6] Past performance, [7] Fairness and reasonableness of pricing including an estimate of on-going expenses for use of the systems including hardware and software monitoring, maintenance, and license fees.
 
Web Link
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/CDCP/CMBP/2010-N-11870/listing.html)
 
Place of Performance
Address: 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15236, United States
Zip Code: 15236
 
Record
SN02033280-W 20100101/091230235500-d9266f89980aa12e8640f3abc4c78c9d (fbodaily.com)
 
Source
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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