SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Evaluation of Correct Child Restraint System Installation
- Notice Date
- 4/25/2014
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541720
— Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Contracting Office
- Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration HQ, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20590
- ZIP Code
- 20590
- Solicitation Number
- DTNH22-14-R-00028
- Point of Contact
- Melissa R. Tyson, , Vincent C. Lynch,
- E-Mail Address
-
melissa.tyson@dot.gov, vincent.lynch@dot.gov
(melissa.tyson@dot.gov, vincent.lynch@dot.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Pre-Solicitation notice (synopsis) for a full and open competitive procurement in accordance with FAR Part 5.203; to provide notice of the Government's proposed contract action listed herein. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (an operating administration of the United States Department of Transportation) is responsible for reducing the number of injuries and deaths on the highways resulting from vehicle crashes. Background: In 2008, a NHTSA study showed that the rate of use of child restraint systems increased from the previous year (81 percent to 86 percent) and that fewer children were unrestrained as compared to the prior year (56 percent to 49 percent). However, studies have estimated rates of improper installation of child safety seats to be in the range of 70-80 percent. A more recent NHTSA study, the National Child Restraint Use Special Study conducted in 2011, observed and interviewed a nationally representative sample (n = 4,167) of drivers with child passengers regarding child passenger safety. The results revealed five common mistakes (1. wrong harness slot used, 2. improper harness retainer/chest clip position, 3. loose CRS installation, 4. loose harness straps, and 5. improper lap belt placement) regarding child safety seats and a more thorough analysis is ongoing. These errors can be categorized as improper installation of the CRS to the vehicle or, improper securement of the child in the CRS. Additionally, researchers have shown that parents and other caregivers make errors in choosing the right seat for their child. Successfully communicating and emphasizing the importance of these three basic principles is the catalyst for this project. A significant barrier to enhancing proper CPS installation and use is the degree of overconfidence demonstrated by parents and other caregivers. Specifically, research shows a tendency for the degree of accuracy in installation to be overestimated by parents and other caregivers thus making it unlikely that they will seek out a resource such as a safety check station. A recent study by Mirman, et al., 2013, explored the relationship between CRS installation accuracy (CRS is installed properly), security (CRS is securely attached to the vehicle), caregiver confidence, and caregiver's perceptions of ease of use. Caregivers (n = 75) experienced with CRS installation were observed performing an installation in their own vehicle (one participant used a provided, unfamiliar vehicle). Security of the CRS was measured using lateral and forward movement (movement greater than 1 inch was considered insecure). Participants also rated ease of use, confidence, provided estimates of crash and injury likelihood, and which, if any, sources of CRS installation information they had consulted (e.g., brochures, safety check station, family/friends). The results showed that participants overestimated their own accuracy and security in installation and that perceived ease of use was positively associated with confidence ratings whereas observed accuracy and security were unrelated to confidence ratings. Eighty-nine percent of the participants installed the CRS inaccurately and/or insecurely. Of those participants, 30 percent reported being confident that the CRS was installed correctly. The results suggest that caregivers may not be aware of the errors made during installation thus making it difficult to correct the behavior. A major limitation of this study, however, is that only experienced users were included and used an unfamiliar CRS in their own vehicle (one participant used a provided, unfamiliar vehicle). This makes it difficult to determine the generalizability to real-world use or the role of familiarity in accuracy. Also, it is unclear whether caregivers recognize risk associated with inaccurate CRS installation as this aspect of crash and injury risk has not been assessed. Errors in CRS installation have been well documented. The causes of these errors, however, are speculative. This study seeks to explore why errors occur and what factors (e.g., compatibility between CRS and vehicle, instructions) contribute to proper installation. The purpose of this project is to evaluate installation performance and caregiver confidence in both experienced and novice CRS users and determine what factors contribute to errors (quantity and type). NHTSA is interested in reducing the number of errors made in CRS installation and the results of this study will provide insight into the cause of observed errors which can then be transitioned to methods aimed at removing those causal contributors. The basic tasks required for the completion of this project are described below. Contractors are strongly encouraged to discuss fully in their proposal each of the tasks described in this solicitation. Contractors should do much more than just repeat what is presented in the RFP. Contractors should provide the reasoning for their proposed approach, using as much detail as possible regarding the specific data collection strategies that would be used, and the type of meaningful information that would result. Purpose: NHTSA's objective is to 1) identify CRS installation errors (3 categories: errors in CRS choice for child height/weight/age; errors in installation of the CRS to the vehicle, errors in securing the child in the CRS) in novice and experienced users, 2) observe and evaluate the causal role of factors (including but not limited to instructions, vehicle type, CRS and vehicle compatibility, and CRS type) that contribute to errors (quantity and type), 3) evaluate the relationships between individual differences, confidence in installation performance, observed errors, and CRS familiarity, and 4) evaluate the risk level perceived with inaccurate CRS installations by caregivers. Solicitation Information: The Government contemplates that a Time and Material type Contract with a period of performance not to exceed thirty (30) months will be awarded. The forthcoming solicitation and any related documents to this procurement will only be available electronically for download at https://www.fedbizopps.gov referenced by the solicitation number (DTNH22-14-R-00028). The anticipated issuance date of the forthcoming solicitation is on or about 09 May 2014 with a tentative closing date of 10 June 2014. However, it is the Offeror's sole responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential Offerors will also be solely responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any), as well as other related documents. All Contractors wishing to do business with the Government are required to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) Central Contractor Registry (CCR) Database prior to any subsequent award. SAM Registration may be accomplished online at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. Contractors are further advised that failure to register in SAM/CCR Database will render your firm ineligible for award. Registration requires applicants to have a DUNS number. Recommend registering immediately in SAM in order to be eligible for timely award. The single source of entry for all documentation pertaining to this acquisition will be http://www.fbo.gov. All interested parties are responsible for checking this website to ensure they have the most current information (i.e., issued Amendments, Changes to the Statement of Work, etc). Telephone and Fax requests for a solicitation package will NOT be accepted.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/NHTSA/NHTSAHQ/DTNH22-14-R-00028/listing.html)
- Record
- SN03348672-W 20140427/140425234021-84666b63d4f87c0d57498db0cfc34e07 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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