SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Neural Markers of Loss of Situation Awareness (Phase 3)
- Notice Date
- 4/26/2010
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 621511
— Medical Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick R&D (RDECOM-CC), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- NHRC-UCSD-SCCN-001
- Archive Date
- 7/25/2010
- Point of Contact
- Steven Streeter, 508-233-5704
- E-Mail Address
-
RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick R&D (RDECOM-CC)
(steve.streeter@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) requires supplies/services to support the research project titled Neural Markers of Loss of Situation Awareness (Phase 3) which will include/require core experiments, EEG hardware, expert advice on the transition of technology, computational data analysis and the analysis of data interpretation. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): This project has two major thrusts: (1) understanding military applications where situation awareness is critical and, (2) development of the basic technologic capability for transition into training for military applications. For this project, NHRC will develop the understanding of military applications and lead the technology transition from basic science to applications. For the transition work, NHRC requires unique services to complete this project which include core research compatible with NHRCs technologic capabilities and analytic services that will facilitate the technology transition. The basic technologic capability for this project is the use of recording of electrical activity of the brain and advanced analytic techniques to examine these recordings. There are two critical technologies for this project: (1) high density electro-encephalography (EEG) hardware and, (2) advanced signal analysis computer algorithms in computer software. NHRC has research grade EEG hardware that is robustly linked to computer systems that monitor motion activities. NHRC also uses EEGLab, advanced EEG analysis software, with software modules specifically designed for the research EEG system that is used in our experiments. NHRC is carrying out the applied research on military personnel. Basic research is being carried out using the same recording equipment and the same analytic systems as NHRC uses by the Swartz Center for Computational Neurology (SCCN) laboratory. It is critical that the same platforms be used for the core experiments as the ultimate transition program. Smooth translation of the core research to the applications will only occur with an integrated program. Further, it is mandatory that the data acquisition system be designed and configured correctly to enable the subsequent data analysis to discover the signatures of brain activity. Finally, once the experiments have been carried out, sophisticated algorithms must be used and reviewed for accuracy. Expert experiment design, data analysis oversight and data interpretation services are needed for this experiments completion. This requirement must be filled by EEG science and engineering experts. Expert consultation for analysis and interpretation of research data generated by EEGLab is critical for arriving at correct interpretation of the data from experiments. The Swartz Center for Computational Neurobiology (SCCN) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is NHRCs prime contractor for expert execution and supervision of EEG experiment design, data analysis and data reporting using EEGLab. For continuity of research expertise with NHRC staff abilities and reliable experiment completion, SCCN is essential to this project. Core experiments and transition for the accurate use of EEGLab with research grade EEG systems for data acquisition is only provided by SCCN. SCCN is the developer and maintainer of EEGLab software. Dr. Tzyy-Ping Jung and Dr. Klaus Gramman are the providers of the experiment design, execution and data analysis and reporting for NHRC through SCCN. Dr. Jung is the lead engineer for EEGLab and is the only engineer that can provide advice on accurate algorithmic modification for data from NHRCs high density EEG system. Dr. Gramman is the SCCN expert on data acquisition, analysis and interpretation for activities in the brain related to motion. These SCCN engineers were critical consultants for the acquisition of NHRCs EEG research capability and have been essential to the Phase 1 and Phase 2 components of this project. They are familiar with the NHRC experiment facilities and collaborate with existing personnel. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: The following market research was conducted in accordance with FAR part 10, Market Research. The most suitable approach to acquiring the acquisition needs for support with the Neural Markers of Loss of Situation Awareness phase 3 project collaboration with NHRC is to sole source to the Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience at UCSD. Therefore, it has also been ascertained (and the data provided below supports) that there is a reasonable expectation of obtaining from the UCSD Swartz Center, the best scientific and technological sources consistent with the demands of the proposed acquisition for the best mix of cost, performances, and schedules. Description of Government Needs: NHRC, specifically the project for Neural Markers of Loss of Situation Awareness, has the requirement to research the development of technology for training personnel to navigate through complex systems. In order to provide ample research, NHRC requires access to instruments and technology that measure the brain to determine when operators lose situation awareness in order to improve future performances. Such measurement requires the use of software and equipment tools as well as experts in the field to assist in utilizing these tools that are not available at NHRC. An expert in the field who is also the Principal Investigator for this effort has identified the following tools to accomplish such: - High density electro-encephalography (EEG) hardware - Advanced signal analysis computer algorithms in computer software A Google and CCR search was conducted in March 2010 in order to determine additional types of organizations normally and commercially available having the above resources in the San Diego area. The other leading research medical institution in the area that may have the ability to meet the requirements of this effort was identified as the Scripps Research Institute (SRI). SRI (Cage Code 5VRT8) is a leading medical institute in the world for many disorders, however, unlike the UCSD Swartz Center, it does not have the unique combination of facilities and skills the project requires. The Swartz Center is the world-leading developer of EEGlab, software for advanced analysis of high-density EEG. Through Dr. Tzyy-Ping Jung, EEGlab can be configured to accept data from the spatial disorientation experiment. Additionally, Dr. Klaus Gramann, a senior scientist at the Swartz Center is the world expert on testing, identification and localization of brain centers related to spatial orientation. His capability is a specialized area, far beyond the normal areas of clinical testing of the brain. No other facility in San Diego, nor indeed in the world has the capability to carry out, analyze and report the studies on the brain required for this spatial disorientation basic research project. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: The current campaigns of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) are generating more complex situations where awareness as a critical brain function is tested throughout various environments of land, sea and air. Poor training and severe and fatal accidents occur throughout DoD and USN operations each year because of loss of situation awareness. The use of UCSD Swartz Center EEG hardware and the subject matter expertise available could possibly determine when operators lose situation awareness thus allowing for future training behavior modifications to improve performance and save lives. 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: None 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: steve.streeter@us.army.mil no later than noon on May 2, 2010. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist (508) 233-5704 steve.streeter@us.army.mil
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