A -- PROPOSALS SOLICITED FOR RESEARCH THAT WILL RESULT IN COMMERCIALIZABLE TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN HEALTHCARE

Notice Date

January 29, 2001

Contracting Office

National Medical Technology TestBed(NMTB), 11354 Mountain View Avenue, Suite D, Loma Linda, CA 92354

ZIP Code

92354

Solicitation Number

NMTB 2001-1

Response Due

March 1, 2001

Point of Contact

Tom Callanan, Lydia Pearson, or Diane McElroy at 909-558-6184

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact NMTB (dmcelroy@ahs.llumc.edu)

Description

INTRODUCTION This is the National Medical Technology Testbed (NMTB) Broad Agency Announcement issued under Cooperative Agreement DAMD 17-97-2-7016 with the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA). This announcement is intended to solicit proposals for research and development that will result in near term commercializable technology products that will improve the delivery of healthcare to the nation's population. This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit NMTB to make any award or pay for any response preparation costs. There will be no formal request for proposal or any solicitation document issued regarding this BAA. As described below, candidates may participate either in an annual or accelerated award cycle. Questions concerning this announcement may be addressed to Ms. Diane McElroy at 909-558-6184, Fax 909-558-6200 or by e-mail to dmcelroy@ ahs.llumc.edu. BACKGROUND NMTB was established as part of Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC), Loma Linda CA, in March 1992 as a prototype defense conversion program and incorporated as a non-profit public benefit organization the following year. Initially, funding was first made available to NMTB by Congress "for laboratory and other efforts associated with research, development, and other programs of major importance to the Department of Defense." Its objective has been to develop a comprehensive suite of deliverable technologies that would improve military and civilian health care delivery. NMTB does not itself perform scientific research, but rather identifies, evaluates, and selects researchers throughout the country who accomplish the research projects through a subcooperative agreement with the researcher's institution. NMTB emphasizes research and development of technology for subsequent commercialization and medical use. NMTB's long term goal has been to obtain a level of self-sufficiency by receiving a fair share of revenue generated by sales of the technology developed from the funding it provides and then reinvesting that capital in more research. Previous research areas of interest have been in medical instrumentation, management of trauma and shock, hypertension, diabetes, neurological disorders, the prevention of premature delivery, and modalities that may improve the rate of tissue and bone healing. Over the years, 90 projects have been funded by NMTB with over $30 million. The average award amount last year was approximately $264,000. CURRENT AREAS OF RESEARCH EMPHASIS This year NMTB is especially interested in receiving proposals for research and technology development projects in the following areas: a. Telemetry -- remote diagnosis and treatment; acquisition, fusion, and analysis of physiological data with low cost, light-weight, wearable, wireless, non-invasive low power sensors and associated information processes b. Genetic engineering -- especially accelerated wound and bone healing and cholera and dysentery prevention c. Biomaterials -- especially for knee and hip replacements and radioactive stents to prevent heart attack and stroke d. Metabolic control -- especially treatment of shock, obesity, and diabetes e. Pattern recognition/cancer detection f. Oxygen separation from air/treatment of lung disease g. Development of noninvasive handheld, portable, or deployable digital image acquisition devices that may be used to image bone, internal organs, and soft tissues h. Development of wireless medical information systems that facilitate medical situational awareness (data acquisition and fusion) and display (data distribution and situational interfaces) systems (and necessary support infrastructure) to acquire (medical) information, process and direct multimedia (medical and logistical) data, and maintain the integrity of processed information i. Development of lithium-polymer batteries (flexible and long life), wearable computers (non-invasive patient monitors), integrated VTC and digital imagery with cameras as standard computer features (portable telemedicine) on pocket-sized or wearable PC devices Proposals for research into technology development and application for health care areas not mentioned above are not excluded from consideration. Also, a wide range of research methods are acceptable, ranging from mathematical models, laboratory bench work, the study of animal models, human individuals, to population studies. However, only those proposals that advance a testable and hence disprovable hypothesis or devise, develop, adapt or use advanced technology for the purpose of improving health care will be selected. A small fraction of NMTB funds may be used to support early, highly innovative research and development when pilot data is not yet available to support a major award. This smaller pilot project award will be made through a special selection process conducted by NMTB's Scientific Director. Use of Loma Linda Medical Center to clinically test and evaluate the practicality of technologies may be possible. AWARD SELECTION PROCESS Applicants are invited to participate in one of two award cycles, either NMTB's annual award cycle or a special accelerated award cycle. In participating in NMTB's annual award cycle, applicants start by submitting a two-page introductory letter identifying: the purpose and importance of the proposed work; the hypothesis to be challenged; why the proposed work is innovative; the technology expected to result from the research; an estimate of the overall budget, including costs for personnel, equipment, and supplies; the qualifications of the principal investigator; and the total length of time estimated to be needed to complete the project. These two-page introductory letters are then reviewed by a panel of technical and business experts. The reviewers evaluate the projects and determine which applicants will be asked to become final candidates in the annual award cycle by participating in the next step, the submission of detailed and comprehensive applications. These applications are prepared and submitted by applicants in accordance with instructions subsequently provided by NMTB. Once received, the final applications then undergo thorough scientific and business evaluations by experts in the field of the research being proposed. This evaluation will take place at the annual NMTB National Scientific Panel meeting and will focus on the central idea of the research, its potential for near-term technology development, and its importance to biomedicine and health care. Technical merit, cost effectiveness, and adequacy of the proposed budget are important considerations. The proposer's qualifications and articles published are also considered during the scientific review. The business evaluation will consider such factors as potential for successful commercialization; expected profit margin; expected market size; expected market share; useful life of technology; production time to marketability; cost of marketing; technology development hurdles; regulatory hurdles; intellectual property protection; and the importance of the technology. During the meeting, the panel will evaluate the applications, prioritize them based on their scientific merit and economic potential, and forward its funding recommendations to NMTB's Board of Directors. Existing or continuing projects with demonstrated success will also be evaluated given program priorities and funding availability. NMTB's Board of Directors will give final approval to projects selected for funding. The annual award cycle described above anticipates that award notifications will be sent in September of 2001 and that projects will begin by the end of the calendar year. This year a special accelerated award cycle will also take place. This accelerated cycle anticipates award applicants will be notified in May 2001 and research projects will begin in August of 2001. In order to meet the accelerated milestones, the part of the process described above dealing with two-page letters of intent is deleted. Applicants interested in entering the accelerated cycle may obtain an application package via e-mail by contacting NMTB. The processing of applications received by NMTB will be accomplished consistent with the procedures described above for the annual award cycle. In general, the evaluation criteria will also be similar, but with somewhat greater emphasis to be given to projects with well-defined and limited goals, clear innovation, and less costly and less complex procedures. AWARD ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERATIONS: a. NMTB encourages commercial activities, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions to submit proposals in response to this BAA. b. The period of performance for projects funded under this BAA is one year. No-cost extensions may be requested toward the end of the project year. c. Applications for second and subsequent year funding may be submitted if appropriate. d. NMTB reserves the right to select for award any, all, part, or none of the applications received. The amount of funding offered by NMTB may not be the same as the amount requested. e. To be eligible for an award, applicants must meet appropriate minimum standards contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations, OMB Circulars, and other Government directives. f. Administrative requirements pertaining to the award are contained in a subcooperative agreement (not a procurement contract) between the awardee institution and NMTB. g. Payment to the awardee is through the submission of monthly invoices and supporting documentation on a cost reimbursement basis by the awardee throughout the performance period. h. The award will not provide for the payment of a fee or profit. Approved indirect costs and G & A will be paid upon submission of evidence of approved rates by the awardee institution to NMTB. i. Costs of purchasing personal computers and other general purpose equipment are not reimbursable. j. Travel costs are reimbursable if the travel is directly related to the conduct and completion of the project. k. Periodic scientific and financial progress reports are required during the performance period. l. NMTB will require a "fair" level of future compensation for the funding it provides. This compensation will be in the form of revenue from the sale/licensing of technology products and/or equity in the institution receiving NMTB funding or developing the product. This revenue will be used to fund other applicants in subsequent years. The specific agreed-upon revenue sharing rates and/or equity provisions are part of the subcooperative agreement between NMTB and the awardee's institution. This agreement must be executed in order for the awardee to receive the award. TIMETABLE FOR ANNUAL AWARD CYCLE: a. Two page proposals due on March 1, 2001. b. Proposal review panel meets on March 15, 2001. c. Notification letters mailed March 23, 2001. d. Full applications due on May 17, 2001. e. National Scientific Review Panel meeting on July 10, 2001. f. Notification letters mailed in early September, 2001. TIMETABLE FOR ACCELERATED AWARD CYCLE a. Abbreviated applications due on March 30, 2001. b. National Scientific Review Panel meets on May 1, 2001. c. Notification letters mailed in mid-May, 2001.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010131/ASOL008.HTM (W-029 SN50C176)