Commercial Acquisition Department, Bld. 11, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Code 59, Simonpietri Drive, Newport, RI 02841-1708

A -- CENTERWIDE BAA PART 5 OF 6 SOL BAA 97-01 DUE 063098 POC G. Palmer, Negotiator at (401) 841-2442 X292; FAX (401) 841-4820 WEB: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/. E-MAIL: G. Palmer, Contract Negotiator, PALMER@CODE59.NPT.NUWC.NAVY.MIL. This solicitation can be viewed and searched on the Internet at www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/contract/announce/baa/97-01/defaul t.htm. SUBMARINE ACCIDENTS AND ESCAPE AND RESCUE Effects of inert gas narcosis, hypo- and hyperthermia, hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypercarbia, and atmospheric contaminants on crew physiology and performance. Development of a physiologically-based algorithm for guiding escape vs. rescue decisions based on a mathematical model of the interaction of the disabled submarine environment and the crew condition. Factors include internal and external submarine environment (temperature, pressure, atmosphere composition, flooding, location of supplies and equipment, etc.) and their effects on crew physiology and performance. Estimates of crew survival, mortality, and morbidity for various disabled submarine scenarios. Optimization of rescue and escape supplies and equipment. Medical requirements for treatment of survivors and supply logistics for various disabled submarine scenarios. Development and evaluation of rescue and survival equipment and procedures. Decompression sickness risk assessment and amelioration. SCREENING, QUALIFICATION, AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF SUBMARINE DUTY Psychiatric, performance and motivational screening, selection and intervention procedures to reduce attrition rates for submarine personnel during both training for and actual submarine service to include both nuclear reactor and submarine schools. Evaluation of current medical qualification standards, prevention of stress-related disorders, and determination of disqualification criteria for various medical conditions as they relate to submarine duty. Epidemiological studies of submariners and health effects of long-term exposure to the submarine environment including studies of mortality, morbidity, precipitating factors, and the long-term course of diseases and injuries. INTERACTION OF UNDERWATER SOUND AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Basic and applied research on the biochemical and physiological effects of underwater sound on the organ systems of humans and other organisms. Development of safe exposure guidelines and damage risk criteria for exposure to water-borne sound across all frequencies. Mathematical modeling of the mechanisms responsible for the physical effects of sound exposure. Mathematical modeling and development of methods for characterizing sound fields in hyperbaric chambers, tanks, pools, small lakes, and other confined environments. Mathematical modeling and development of methods of simulating or producing sound fields with open-water characteristics in confined environments. Development of physiological and psychological monitoring and performance tests for humans and other organisms to evaluate the effects of exposure to underwater sound. Medical diagnosis and treatment procedures for sound-related injuries. Development of underwater sound measurement techniques, methods, and equipment. SUBMARINE ATMOSPHERE AND THE HEALTH OF CREW MEMBERS Evaluation of atmospheric contaminants and factors affecting their concentrations in the vessel. Contaminants include volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, antigens, metals and other inorganic compounds, etc.. Development of specialized and routine monitoring and analysis procedures and equipment. Development of specialized and routine atmosphere sampling and analysis procedures to characterize the composition of individual submarines and fleet. Role of operational procedures, cooking, atmospheric conditioning equipment, and cigarette smoke in the production or modification of atmospheric contaminants. Effects of fires, electrical equipment, emergency procedures, compartment pressurization, escape trunk use, and use of survival supplies on submarine atmosphere composition. Monitoring and modeling of submariner exposure to contaminants including whole body and tissue uptake and elimination, means of elimination, dosage, and physiological and psycho-physiological effects. Role of equipment and supplies in the introduction and removal of contaminants. Toxicological and exposure limits and the effects of individual contaminants or contaminants in combination. AUDITION AND COMMUNICATION Physical and psychophysical modeling of spatial hearing for use in binaural and virtual-reality displays. Psychophysical measurement and modeling of auditory performance with auditory displays for simulations or under conditions of multiple sensor inputs and high workloads. Design and evaluation of auditory signal-attenuating headsets and communications systems. Assessment of speech communication and voice recognition. Assessment of applicability of otoacoustic emissions for use in hearing conservation programs. Assessment of hearing risk and auditory performance in diving environments. Assessment of auditory and nonauditory effects of noise. Design and assessment of passive and active noise reductions technologies; design and evaluation of automated information systems for reduced shipboard manning. Design and evaluation of auditory signal enhancement algorithms and auditory interface techniques; development of auditory models of detection and classification; design and evaluation of noise reducing medical equipment (stethoscopes, etc.); development and testing of underwater sound measurement. VISUAL SYSTEMS Human-computer interactions, human information processing, and decision-making in submarine systems. Visual and perceptual problems of submariners and divers, including visual sensation and perception, cognitive performance, and team performance. Problems of information overload and legibility in navigation, sonar, combat system, periscope, and other displays. Presentation of information on displays, including color coding, symbology, and visual representation of acoustic data. Evaluation of color vision testing methods and devices. Basic research in the processes of the human visual system. Design and assessment of automated information systems for reduced manning on ships. 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