Blast Wearable Environmental Sensors Request for Information. Submit responses via the DoD Blast Injury Research Program website, included below.
Blast Wearable Environmental Sensors Request for Information
This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), headquartered at Fort Detrick, Maryland. The USAMRMC mission is to provide medical knowledge and materiel lifecycle management to protect, treat, and optimize Service member health and performance across the full spectrum of operations. The Department of Defense (DoD) Blast Injury Research Program Coordinating Office (PCO) supports the DoD Executive Agent (EA) to coordinate medical research efforts and programs relating to the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of blast injuries. Within USAMRMC, the Environmental Sensors in Training (ESiT) Program conducts research using environmental sensors in training environments which supports the development of validated injury thresholds for a variety of exposures, including cumulative low-level blast and head impact injuries. The PCO facilitates communication among DoD Program components to ensure that the ESiT Program goals and findings are disseminated to DoD leadership and external stakeholders in accurate, timely, and unifying messages.
For the purposes of this RFI, the following definitions apply:
1. Environmental sensors are sensors that measure, characterize, and monitor changes in the environment and/or assess changes in a person’s health and/or performance resulting from environmental exposures. These may measure physiological parameters, but are generally not considered medical devices. Within this document, the use of “sensor” can be assumed to mean environmental sensor.
2. Blast exposure is direct or indirect exposure to blast generating devices or environments
3. Blast injury is the primary blast overpressure injury resulting in direct tissue damage from the shock wave coupling into the body per DoD Directive 6025.21E (July 5, 2006) found at http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/602521p.pdf
4. Blast-related injury results from secondary through quaternary mechanisms including blunt, fragments, heat, and inhalation injuries
5. Blunt injury is physical trauma to a body part, either by impact, injury or physical attack; also referred to as blunt force trauma
6. Concussive event is an event, either blunt, blast, or blast-related injury, that leads to a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)
7. Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a method used by the DoD to estimate technology maturity. The purpose of using TRLs is to assist management in making decisions concerning the development and transitioning of technology. Definitions of each of the nine TRLs can be found here: https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/404585.pdf
This RFI seeks to:
1. Gather information about wearable sensors that are available for use by the DoD to record acute and chronic environmental blast exposures across training environments and down range.
2. Identify wearable sensors that are:
a. Commercially available sensors, or
b. Advanced stage developmental sensors, or
c. Developmental sensors that are TRL 6 or higher
The PCO is interested in understanding the extent of the sensor space and the scope of sensors in this space. To facilitate this understanding, information about sensors including the following is sought:
1. Describe when and how the sensor was tested
2. Describe any use of the sensor in a military setting, including in research or operational settings; this may include the DoD, US Army, US Navy, or US Air Force, or another country’s military organizations.
3. Describe any use of the sensor in a law enforcement/security setting; this may include local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies
4. Describe any fielding of the sensor in research or for practical use
5. Describe the sensor technical specifications, including but not limited to:
a. Record acute and cumulative exposures
b. Any limitations to performance:
i. Incorporation into personal protective equipment
ii. Weight
iii. Effect on mobility
iv. Any decrement to protective posture
v. Concealment, both in the environment and cyber
c. Battery life
d. Ruggedized model for use in combat or austere environments
e. Instructions for use and monitoring, i.e., sensor issued before going out on patrol or worn for 6 months
f. Maintenance schedule
g. Disposal/MSDS/hazmat
6. Describe work done to associate the sensor readings/output with:
a. Physiology
b. Medical disease outcomes
c. Non-medical decision making where readings are being used to make administrative or duty related recommendations i.e., rest, take a break, stop activities, etc.
7. If the sensor is commercially available:
a. How much does a unit cost?
b. Describe any additional technology needed to operate the sensor, i.e., battery, charger, software, etc.
8. Provide a copy of the user manual
9. Describe the training required before the sensors can be operated, including for the user and the evaluator
10. Describe how the sensor has been proven to be secure on a US information technology government platform
11. Point of contact for sensor
Please cross reference the documentation you provide about the sensor to the information requested in the RFI using the Cross Reference Matrix provided.
To submit information regarding any sensors that fall within the bounds of the list above, please visit the DoD Blast Injury Research Program website at https://blastinjuryresearch.amedd.army.mil/guides/rfi.cfm. You will be asked to provide basic contact information and will then be provided a user name, password, and a link to the RFI submission site. After submitting your document(s) and the completed Cross Reference Matrix, you will receive confirmation that your document was successfully submitted.
DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES
This RFI is issued solely for information and program planning purposes; it does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Submission is voluntary and is not required to respond to a subsequent Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) (if any) or other research solicitation (if any) on this topic.
The USAMRMC/U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)/DoD Blast Injury Research PCO will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Respondents are advised that USAMRAA/USAMRMC/DoD Blast Injury Research PCO are under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Information in responses will be held confidential to the extent permitted under applicable laws and regulations. Any proprietary, non-public information should be marked so.
Questions should be addressed to the Contract Specialist for this RFI, Mr. Jeremy McMurry, via e-mail at jeremy.L.mcmurry.civ@mail.mil.
The website for the Blast Injury Research PCO can be accessed at https://blastinjuryresearch.amedd.army.mil/guides/rfi.cfm
Jeremy L. McMurry, Phone 3016192035, Email jeremy.l.mcmurry.civ@mail.mil
