SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- DESIGN AND SIZING OF FALL PROTECTION HARNESSES
- Notice Date
- 5/20/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- 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-DSR-04-04
- Response Due
- 6/17/2004
- Archive Date
- 7/2/2004
- Point of Contact
- Brenda Goodwin, Contract Specialist, Phone (304)285-5882, Fax (304)285-6083, - Brenda Goodwin, Contract Specialist, Phone (304)285-5882, Fax (304)285-6083,
- E-Mail Address
-
bcg1@cdc.gov, bcg1@cdc.gov
- Description
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is seeking to sign a Letter of Agreement (LOA) to work with a harness manufacturer to design and test a harness sizing scheme based on the NIOSH newly collected 3-dimensional human torso shape and size information. The goal of this project is to develop an improved harness sizing system that would accommodate the national occupational populations, and thus would enhance the ability of workers to select, fit, and use harnesses safely. This announcement is a business opportunity in that the partner selected will share expertise with NIOSH researchers toward transferring the NIOSH anthropometric data and harness-sizing research results into an improved and profitable safety product. Falls are one of the two leading causes of death and injury in the workplace. Each year, 313,000 American workers are disabled in work-related falls; and more than 700 work-related fatalities result from falls. Beyond the human tragedy, falls represent a major cost to U.S. businesses and industry. About 3.7 billion dollars are paid out each year in workers' compensation; and the losses in productivity, labor, and medical expenses can be estimated at $9.4 billion from National Safety Council's data. Fall protective harnesses are undergoing a dramatic increase in use as the last line of defense in areas where fall hazards cannot be completely eliminated. Human body dimensions have changed over the last decades. Diverse workforces in the industries, as well as new roles for women in the workforce, make it likely that more occupations will show a greater variation in their range of body dimensions. Incompatible harnesses, if worn by workers, are not likely to provide the level of protection and comfort the person requires to work productively. The harness manufacturing industry has a pressing need for an assessment of fit and function of these products. Updated anthropometry databases in 3-dimensional (3-D) format are in need for studying these human-harness-interface issues. They help to formulate harness sizing schemes and to design adequate harnesses for various populations, to provide the required level of protection, productivity, and comfort. NIOSH has completed two laboratory studies that identified harness sizing criteria and is finalizing a 3-dimensional torso shape-and-size quantification method to define an effective harness sizing scheme for harness design. NIOSH wishes to solicit input from industry partners on (1) formalizing harness redesign procedures; (2) completing a sizing scheme for whole-body fall harnesses that includes an anthropometric guide for harness designers, a guide defining how manufacturers should report sizing, and a guide to assist end users in the selection of an appropriately sized harness; (3) completing the ideas and drawings for an improved harness system; (4) completing the prototypes of a new harness system; and (6) completing a study protocol to evaluate the new design. Candidate companies which appear to possess the greatest capacity to meet the requirements listed in the Collaborative Capabilities Parameters below, will be evaluated based on their capability to successfully perform the following tasks: (1) Provide the dimensions that the manufacturer used or needs in designing a harness, (2) Provide the manufacturer?s current sizing schemes, (3) Complete a new design of an improved harness system based on the NIOSH data and new sizing scheme, and (4) Work with NIOSH to complete the evaluation of a new design and further modify the new design as needed. This announcement does not obligate NIOSH to sign an LOA with any presented company. NIOSH reserves the right to establish a partnership based on engineering and design capabilities and business commitment found under this announcement or other searches, if determined to be in the best interest of the Government. Collaborative Capabilities Parameters: (Companies should try to meet as many of these requirements as possible, but highly innovative solutions without testing are not discouraged from presentation or response.) (A) Providing significant technical expertise in designing and manufacturing fall protection harnesses. ?Required; (B) Fabricating harness prototypes for test and evaluation - Required; (C) Providing expertise to NIOSH in designing and conducting laboratory evaluations of harnesses - Required; (D) Reviewing testing methods and recommending appropriate, new testing criteria - Required; (E) Reviewing test results and recommending design modifications - Required; (F) Working with standard organizations to provide NIOSH input so that the new anthropometric information can be fully utilized to benefit our workforce. NIOSH is seeking an innovative partner to work on harness-sizing-system enhancement. A company that is qualified and currently manufacturing, designing, or fabricating fall protection harnesses is highly desired. However, past testing and design of harnesses is not required. Interested parties responding to this request should provide detailed information regarding capabilities. If prior testing or design has been performed and was involved with the use of anthropometric data in the process, the test information and results should be provided. Presentation material may consist of literature, electronic presentation, or video. (Samples and data provided to the government as part of this solicitation will not be returned to vendors following the completion of this project.) Vendors may be offered the opportunity to meet with representatives of the project team following a review of all submitted data. Data and/or product samples must be delivered to NIOSH within four weeks (20 business days) of the closing of this announcement. Although every effort will be made to consider all information received, the government will not be obligated to evaluate information received after the four-week period. Vendors should note any proprietary data as such. If any data is to be excluded from exchange with any of the project participants, a statement of that fact shall be included with the statement of propriety. Presentations from interested vendors are optional but encouraged. The government has identified July 28th and 29th, 2004 for these presentations to be conducted. The Government reserves the right to identify an alternate meeting date if those identified are not viable for one or more interested vendors. Please send literature (3 copies) to and coordinate with: Hongwei Hsiao, Ph.D., Project Officer and Chief of the Protective Technology Branch, CDC/NIOSH, MS/G800, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, Phone: (304) 285-5910, Fax: (304) 285-6047, hxh4@cdc.gov. Point of Contact
- Record
- SN00589348-W 20040522/040520211725 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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