SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- MTEC Military Prototype Advancement Initiative (MPAI) Request for Project Proposals Announcement
- Notice Date
- 3/19/2021 8:41:07 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541715
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- W4PZ USA MED RSCH ACQUIS ACT FORT DETRICK MD 21702-5014 USA
- ZIP Code
- 21702-5014
- Solicitation Number
- MTEC-21-06-MPAI
- Response Due
- 6/17/2021 9:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 07/02/2021
- Point of Contact
- Randall Fernanders, Phone: 8437603378
- E-Mail Address
-
randall.fernanders@ati.org
(randall.fernanders@ati.org)
- Description
- The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is excited to post this summary announcement for an Other Transaction Agreement for prototype projects Request for Project Proposals (RPP) to solicit current MTEC members for a broad range of medical prototype technological and knowledge solutions related to the Focus Areas of Interest (also called �Focus Area(s)�) listed below. Proposed solutions may include medical techniques, knowledge products, and materiel (medical devices, drugs, and biologics). Focus Area #1: Prolonged Field Care Focus Area #2: Medical Readiness Focus Area #3: Emerging Technologies Focus Area #4: Maximizing Human Potential Focus Area #5: Applied Medical Robotics and Machine Perception and Intelligence Systems Background In multi-domain operations, today�s operating force will be overwhelmed with casualties, the ability to evacuate will be limited, first responders and medics will struggle with limited resources and ability to achieve the �Golden Day,� resulting in operational units and commanders rapidly losing freedom of maneuver and combat effectiveness. Therefore, medical assets must be highly mobile and more dispersed (e.g., smaller, more modular medical units), Warfighters will require greater self-sufficiency and autonomy (e.g., may have more limited medical-related communications and re-supply), and there will be an increased cognitive and physical stress on Warfighters (they will need ways to maximize lethality and return to the fight quickly). Unique Features of this RPP MTEC is utilizing a streamlined solicitation approach to award for this broad, multiple focus area RPP to solicit and fund a wide range of projects of varying scope and maturity levels under the Military Prototype Advancement Initiative (MPAI). This solicitation mechanism has been implemented for the following reasons and has several unique features noted below: Increase information exchange between the MTEC membership and the military Provide feedback to the MTEC membership through Government technical evaluations (unlike previous Requests for Information announcements) Establish an open window for the Government to make awards Solicit for key areas to support achievement of the US Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) strategic objectives Diversity in potential Sponsors Minimum Requirements for Submission of an Enhanced White Paper Enhanced White Papers submitted in response to this RPP shall meet the following minimum requirements: Support readiness and care in future battlefield scenarios (demonstrate Military Relevance) Fit the prototype definition Clearly demonstrate that the proposed prototype meets, at a minimum, a Knowledge/Technology Readiness Level (KRL/TRL) of 3 Reflect a new submission to MTEC representing a proposed solution that has not been submitted to MTEC under previous RPPs (within the past 2 years). Align to a single specified Focus Area of Interest Focus Areas of Interest To meet the intent of this RPP, each Enhanced White Paper shall specifically address only one Focus Area of Interest described below. Offerors are not limited to a single Enhanced White Paper submission. However, proposals not aligned to one of these Focus Areas of Interest may not be considered for funding.� FOCUS AREA #1: Prolonged Field Care (PFC): A primary emphasis in 2021 is to identify and develop medical techniques, knowledge products, and materiel (medical devices, drugs, and biologics) for early intervention in life-threatening battle injuries and prolonged field care (PFC).� Because battlefield conditions impose severe constraints on available manpower, equipment, and medical supplies available for casualty care, there is a need for medical interventions that can be used within the battle area or as close to it as possible, before or during medical evacuation.� Preferred medical techniques and materiel that can be used by combat medics must be easily transportable (i.e., small, lightweight, and durable in extreme environments and handling); devices must be easy to use and require low maintenance, with self-contained power sources as necessary. This focus area is also interested in solutions that include artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on the employment of AI to support providing care at the point of need in remote and austere environments. The following focus areas of interest are (not listed in order of importance): FA1.1 Control & Sustainment of Critical Organ System & Metabolic Function� FA1.2 Enabling Medical Capabilities to Support En Route and Prolonged Care in Remote, Austere Settings, & Extreme Environments FA1.3 Prophylactic to Prevent Infection in Battlefield Wounds FA1.4 Control of Wound Progression & Infection Prevention FA1.5 Enabling capabilities to increase patient movement capacity FA1.6 Blood and Blood Products � Next Generation Blood, Blood Products, Pharmaceuticals, Synthetic Replacements, & Delivery Systems FA1.7 Brain Trauma � Treatment and Objective Diagnosis, Prognosis and Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in combat and prolonged care scenarios FA1.8 Tactical Combat Casualty Care � Point of Injury Control of Non-Compressible Hemorrhage & Immediate Cardiopulmonary Stabilization FA1.9 Cognition-sparing, long-duration pain control FA1.10 Large animal studies for the development of a portable non-pharmaceutical device that provides regional analgesia at the point of injury and/or during medical evacuation FA1.11 Automated Ultrasound Technology � An automated ultrasound that is field portable with the capability of imaging abdomen, thoracic cavity, extremities, and pelvis. The prototype will also be capable of interpreting images and providing diagnostic feedback as well as having a semi-autonomous/autonomous guidance feature for surgical procedures. FA1.12 Burns � Development of material and knowledge solutions to enable limited volume parenteral and/or enteral burn resuscitation in forward environments potentially under prolonged care FA1.13 Autonomy � use of autonomy solutions in austere environments in PFC to help with resuscitation, stabilization, airway management, reduce major bleeding, help MEDICs in degraded environments, etc. to support autonomous care, Decision Support Systems, and/or Intelligent Evacuation and Prolonged Care FOCUS AREA #2: Medical Readiness:� This area focuses on developing technologies that maximize medical readiness and provide mobile health solution sets for the modern Warfighter. Efforts may include diagnostics, treatments, AI-based advanced telehealth technologies, and training solutions to prevent or reduce injury and improve physiological and psychological health and resilience. This objective includes environmental health and protection including the assessment and sustainment of health and the operational effectiveness of Service members exposed to harsh operational environments including altitude, cold, heat, and exposure to environmental health. This focus area also includes medical readiness in response to infectious diseases encountered by service members during deployment and those that can significantly impact performance. The following focus areas of interest are (not listed in order of importance): FA2.1 Leader and Provider Tools to Prevent, Reduce, Screen and Diagnose Musculoskeletal Injury in all Setting FA2.2 Solutions to Accelerate Return-to-Readiness following Musculoskeletal Injuries FA2.3 Solutions to Sustain Warfighter Performance in Arctic and Other Extreme Environments FA2.4 Far Forward Psychological Health Care FA2.5 Field Deployable Solutions to Prevent Degradation of Unit Performance and Soldier Psychological Healt FA2.6 AI Platform for the Early Identification and/or Management of Symptoms Associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) � The platform should allow for the integration of physiological data collected from a wearable device that can be used at home and on-demand. It should utilize audio-visual stimulation aimed to manage PTSD symptoms, include a remote monitoring app, and provide real-time data to both users and monitoring physicians. Testing of the prototype should be performed in a military or veteran population suffering from PTSD. FA2.7 Medical Strategies to Sustain Soldier Alertness & Performance in all Settings FA2.8 Guidelines and Recommendations on the Implementation of Human-Automation Teaming that Optimizes Human Performance and Increases Operational Effectiveness � The research should include a multi-day study in humans in a controlled environment to determine how task complexity, time on task, rest, and fatigue state (sleep loss and circadian misalignment) affect the Warfighter�s ability to perform and interact with automation. FA2.9 Pharmacological/Technological (P/T) Approaches to Measure & Manipulate the Glymphatic/Lymphatic (G/L) System in Humans during Sleep� �� Awardees will be expected to demonstrate that the G/L system can be reliably measured in humans during sleep and directly manipulated through P/T approaches; demonstrate efficacy of their approach to positively impact cognitive performance and psychological health outcomes; develop or adapt approaches to improve or enhance brain fluid movement in humans; and develop models that quantify the impacts of G/L clearance in the brain on short term impacts on the restorative effects of sleep. FA2.10 Medical Criteria and brain injury-based thresholds for Informing Development of New Tactical Headborne Systems and personal protection equipment against blast, ballistic, and blunt trauma threats FA2.11 Acute and Repetitive Blast Exposure Induced Brain Injury and Cognitive Health Models � The research should deliver blast-induced brain injury risk thresholds and probability risk curves for brain injury resulting from single and repetitive blast exposures. It should also lead to blast-induced brain injury criteria, test methodology, and an assessment tool that can be integrated into the Army�s Health Hazard Assessment Program non-auditory blast overpressure risk model. FA2.12 Medically-based Criteria for Body Armor Fielded for Future Development and Evaluation of Next Generation PPE � Awardees will be expected to develop and conduct, in cooperation with DoD laboratories, novel research to characterize physiological response (e.g., vital organ injury) and torso impact parameters under military-relevant exposures, using mechanical, cadaveric, or animal surrogates. The researchers should leverage existing computational models of the torso, as well as existing and emerging clinical data and emerging field data on torso injuries being collected by the DoD, law enforcement community, industry, academia, etc. FA2.13 Infectious Diseases � Rapid Diagnostic and Detection Devices FA2.14 Prophylactic for Endemic Diarrheal Diseases FA2.15 Broad Spectrum Antivirals FA2.16 Broadly protective vaccine platforms for Emerging Infectious Diseases FA2.17 Novel, adaptive, and tailored simulation education trainings that optimize practice and effectiveness (i.e., brain focused and learning retention) FOCUS AREA #3: Emerging Technologies: This area is focused on the Multi-Domain Battle, an operational environment involving greater dispersion and near isolation over great distances, which is likely to cause severe restrictions on mobility for medical missions and shortfalls in both human and materiel human resources due to area denial challenges.� Combat units will need to be more self-sufficient and less dependent on logistical support.� Combatant commanders with increased sick or wounded Soldiers will face degradation of medical resources and encumbered combat effectiveness without new combat casualty management and Force multiplication strategies. This focus area is searching for emerging technologies that will increase medical mobility while ensuring access to essential medical expertise and support regardless of the operating environment. The following focus areas of interest are (not listed in order of importance): FA3.1 AI for information and technology � focus on employment of AI to support medical resupply in theater to improve real-time information access, security and mobility; interoperable data capture and documentation technologies FA3.2 Synthetic Biology � general interest as well as cell & therapeutics, diagnostics, detection platforms FA3.3 Casualty Management � Next generation casualty management, medical logistics, training and education, and medical command and control in dispersed operations and other theater/operational environments. FA3.4 Human Machine Integration Best Practices and Trust � Efficacy of integrating robotics into the far forward mission that consider best practices to encourage trust by the user.� Understanding the extent to which Warfighters may trust robots and how to achieve this capability. FA3.5 Nano, micro, and macro interoperable haptic platforms � This aspect of performing Live, Virtual, Augmented, and Gaming education tools is limited by the ability to experience force and real life tactile sensations especially in the medical field.� The limiting factor in realistic environments is the ability to provide this factor to assist in cognitively remembering and understanding how the action should feel to be correct.� Haptic gloves available utilize wires and limit the perimeter because the user is tethered. FOCUS AREA #4: Maximizing Human Potential:� This area aims to develop effective countermeasures against military-relevant stressors and to prevent physical and psychological injuries during training and operations in order to maximize the human potential, in support of the Army Human Performance Optimization and Enhancement, Human Dimension, Multi-Domain Battle, and the DoD Total Force Fitness concepts. The following focus areas of interest are (not listed in order of importance): FA4.1 Maximizing Human Potential - cognitive, physical and emotional potential in multi-domain operations (MDO) by optimizing physical and psychological health and resilience and provide safe, impactful, and ethical human performance; optimizing the interactions between systems and Soldiers, leaders, and teams FA4.2 Solutions to Maximize Warfighter and Family Member Psychological Health and Resilience to Stressors FA4.3 Repair, restore, preserve and maintain sensory system (e.g., vision, hearing, balance) function after combat related threats (including but not limited to directed energy exposure). Seeking research efforts to support the development of innovative strategies and technologies that may include medical devices, pharmaceuticals, rehabilitation strategies, and regenerative medicine-based approaches, to treat, restore, and preserve spared tissue and function, and/or rehabilitate patients due to neurosensory related trauma. FOCUS AREA #5: Applied Medical Robotics and Machine Perception and Intelligence Systems:� This focus area focuses on investigation of novel technologies and methods of applying robotics to augment medical capability and capacity in forward care settings. The specific technologies include machine perception and intelligence systems, and advanced motion planning and control of semi-autonomous robotics. The target applications include the use of tele-surgical robotics to extend the reach of remote surgeons, and robotic-assisted casualty monitoring, diagnostics, and intervention to assist local care providers in combat casualty care situations. This area also focuses on leveraging unmanned air and ground systems to provide standoff detection and remote assessment of combat causalities to facilitate rapid casualty extraction, and to provide emergency medical resupply to support field care when evacuation is not possible. The following focus areas of interest are (not listed in order of importance): FA5.1 Machine Perception Systems for robotic-assisted diagnostics and interventions � The development and integration of computer vision techniques to locate, segment, and map key anatomical features that enable the use of robotic systems to assist in interventions. Applications include the development of safety protocols for telerobotic surgery and robotic-assisted diagnostic imaging. FA5.2 Standoff Casualty Detection, Assessment, Monitoring � the development and integration of image processing algorithms using common sensors as input to provide casualty detection and remote assessment at standoff distances. Applications include integration with vision systems on common robotic or manned vehicles platforms FA5.3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) supply of critical medical supplies to the tactical edge � The use emerging unmanned vehicle platforms for medical resupply to support field care and other medical logistics missions in austere operating environments. Applications include the rapid distribution of vaccines and test kits to support pandemic response in remote and high-threat environments. FA5.4 Medic/Robot Teaming � The development and integration of techniques that allow forward care providers to effectively team with robotic or semi-autonomous systems.� Applications include supervisory-level command and control of semi-autonomous robotics, or systems designed to automate data entry for existing or emerging Medic tools, e.g. patient documentation or clinical decision support systems. Scope of Work The proposed Period of Performance (PoP) reflected in an Offeror�s Enhanced White Paper submission should be focused on tasks relevant to advance the prototype to the next TRL or KRL. Potential Follow-on Tasks Under awards resulting from this RPP, there is the potential for award of one or more non-competitive follow-on tasks based on the success of the project (subject to change depending upon Government review of completed work and successful progression of milestones). Potential follow-on work may be awarded based on the advancement in prototype maturity during the PoP. Follow-on work may include tasks related to advancement of prototype maturity, and/or to expand the use or utility of the prototype. Offerors are encouraged, as appropriate, to discuss potential follow-on work in the Enhanced White Paper submission to demonstrate the ability to further advance the project maturity beyond the proposed PoP. This will also allow the Offeror to highlight the potential capabilities that can be explored/achieved through short term and/or long-term advancement of the project in a way that is beneficial to the Government. Potential Funding Availability and PoP The funding amount and PoP for projects submitted under this RPP is unspecified (with the exceptions detailed below), and the number of awards is indeterminate and contingent upon funding availability. Selection of prototype projects is a highly competitive process and is based on the evaluation of the proposal�s technical merit, programmatic considerations, and the availability of funds. Awards resulting from this RPP are expected to be made in Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 under the authority of 10 U.S.C. � 2371b. The funding limitations per Enhanced White Paper are as follows: Focus Area 1.10 - The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $1.4 M for projects proposing in response to Focus Area 1.10. Focus Area 2.6 - The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $511 K for projects proposing in response to Focus Area 2.6. The USG anticipates funding this focus area with FY20 funds, where awards will be made no later than September 30, 2021. Focus Area 2.8 - The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $781 K for projects proposing in response to Focus Area 2.8. The USG anticipates funding this focus area with FY20 funds, where awards will be made no later than September 30, 2021. Focus Area 2.9 - The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $4.3 M for projects proposing in response to Focus Area 2.9. The USG anticipates funding this focus area with FY20 funds, where awards will be made no later than September 30, 2021. Focus Area 2.11 - The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $3 M for projects proposing in response to Focus Area 2.11. The USG anticipates funding this focus area with FY20 funds, where awards will be made no later than September 30, 2021. Focus Area 2.12 - The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $1.4 M for projects proposing in response to Focus Area 2.12. The USG anticipates funding this focus area with FY20 funds, where awards will be made no later than September 30, 2021. Focus Area 5 (all technical areas of interest) � The maximum request for Government funding for each Enhanced White Paper should not exceed $600,000 for projects proposing in response to any of the technical areas of interest within Focus Area #5. Additional funding may be available for selected performer(s) for the continuation of prototype development under a subsequent period(s) of performance of the resultant award(s). For all other Focus Areas not explicitly listed above � There are no specified funding limitations identified for an Enhanced White Paper submitted under this RPP. For informational purposes, the average award size of MTEC awards for the initial PoP is approximately $1.5 � 3M over a 2 � 3 year PoP. Cost sharing, including cash and in kind (e.g., personnel or product) contributions are strongly encouraged, have no limit, and are in addition to the Government funding to be provided under the resultant award(s). Dependent on the results and deliverables under any resultant award(s), the U.S. Government (USG) may non-competitively award additional dollars and/or allow for additional time for scope increases and/or follow-on efforts with appropriate modification of the award. Acquisition Strategy This RPP will be conducted using the Enhanced White Paper approach. In Stage 1 of the proposal submission process, current MTEC members are invited to submit Enhanced White Papers using the mandatory format contained in full version of the RPP (see the bottom of this posting for a link to MTEC's website to access the full RPP). The Government will evaluate Enhanced White Papers submitted and will select those that best meet their current technology priorities using the criteria detailed within Section 5 of the RPP. Offerors whose proposed solution is selected for further consideration based on the Enhanced White Paper evaluation will be invited to submit a full cost proposal representing�Stage 2 of the RPP process. Notification letters will contain specific Stage 2 proposal submission requirements. For more information regarding the requirements of the Enhanced White Paper process and for details regarding the mandatory template, refer to the full version of the RPP (which can be located by following the link to MTEC�s website below). MTEC The MTEC mission is to assist the USAMRDC by providing cutting-edge technologies and supporting effective materiel life cycle management to transition medical solutions to industry that protect, treat, and optimize Warfighters� health and performance across the full spectrum of military operations. MTEC is a biomedical technology consortium collaborating with multiple government agencies under a 10-year renewable Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), Agreement No. W81XWH-15-9-0001, with the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). MTEC is currently recruiting a broad and diverse membership that includes representatives from large businesses, small businesses, �nontraditional� defense contractors, academic research institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Administrative Information Enhanced White Papers may be submitted at any time during the submission period but no later than the due date and time specified within this summary announcement. The BIDS system will be used to receive proposal submissions from all Offerors and will open for submissions on April 20, 2021. The RPP has been posted to the MTEC website (https://www.mtec?sc.org/solicitations/); this summary announcement is solely intended to notify interested parties. MTEC membership is required for the submission of an Enhanced White Paper in response to this MTEC RPP. To join MTEC, please visit http://mtec-sc.org/how-to-join/. MTEC intends to host multiple Proposers Conferences that will be conducted via webinar within several weeks of the release of the RPP and may include up to six (6) separate sessions. Further instructions will be forthcoming via email (must be an MTEC member to receive these email instructions). Points of Contact Please direct your inquiries and correspondence to the following contacts: Questions concerning contractual, cost or pricing related to this RPP should be directed to the MTEC Contracts Administrator at� mtec-contracts@ati.org Technical and membership questions � Dr. Lauren Palestrini, MTEC Director of Research, lauren.palestrini@mtec-sc.org Administrative questions � Ms. Kathy Zolman, MTEC Director of Program Operations, kathy.zolman@ati.org To view this solicitation, visit�https://www.mtec-sc.org/solicitations/�
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- Place of Performance
- Address: Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Zip Code: 21702
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 21702
- Record
- SN05947914-F 20210321/210319230110 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
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