Research and Development Services for Phase II Study titled “Biometric and Team Performance, Measurements During Simulated Missions to Improve En Route Critical Care (ERCC) Skill Sustainment.”

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

This notice announces the intent by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the United States Air Force (USAF) 59th Medical Wing, Science and Technology Office located at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland Air Force Base, Texas to negotiate on a sole source basis in accordance with (IAW) FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(A), Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition, with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF), 6720A Rockledge Drive, Suite 100 Bethesda, MD 20817-1891 as the only responsible source that can provide research and development services for the Phase II study titled “Biometric and Team Performance, Measurements During Simulated Missions to Improve En Route Critical Care (ERCC) Skill Sustainment.” The intent for the follow-on Phase II requirement is to develop an evidence-based nontechnical skills educational tool for ERCC, and then assess the impact on technical team performance, nontechnical team performance, and individual cognitive load in ERCC simulated mission environments.

The study is a complex, multi-institution project that builds upon the current research team’s prior Phase I study titled “Development of Enhanced Simulation Model with Biometric Cognitive Load Measurements for More Efficient En Route Care Training” to introduce an educational intervention to provide formative feedback to participants.

The Phase II study will continue the collaboration among human factor researchers and ERCC Subject Matter Experts (SME) at HJF in collaboration with the Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts; the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland; and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. The Phase II study will introduce an educational intervention based on assessments to provide formative feedback to participants.

It is anticipated that this personalized feedback will improve retention of skills gained during training as demonstrated by improved nontechnical skills performance in future operational medicine settings. HJF is the only source that can provide the required services in both a cost-effective and timely way. Award to any other source would result in duplication of costs to the Government and delay moving from Phase I to Phase II of the study.

HJF, in collaboration with the Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts; the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland; and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado completed the Phase I study in December 2023. In order to maintain integrity of the data and continuity of research, the Phase II study must be completed by HJF and its Phase I collaborators.

HJF is the only source that can provide the required research and development services and award to any other source would result in duplication of costs to the Government and significant delay moving from Phase I to Phase II of the study. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except.

Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and the PSC Code is AN12, (R&D-Medical: Biomedical (Applied Research/Exploratory Development). This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.102(a)(3) and 5.203(a). USAMRAA intends to publish a solicitation no sooner than 15 days after publishing this synopsis. This Special Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Any source that believes they are capable of providing these services must respond in writing.

Responses must be supported with clear and convincing evidence articulating the ability to provide the items outlined above. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government.

If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects at least fifteen (15) days after the publication of this notice, the solicitation will be issued as a sole source requirement to the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF). All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Ms. Lisa Wells Roark at lisa.l.wellsroark.civ@health.mil and Mr. Jeremy L. McMurry at Jeremy.l.mcmurry.civ@health.mil. Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above e-mail address no later than 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 20 March 2024.