Inactive

The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is excited to post this pre-announcement for a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) focused on the development of a model for potential brain and sys... The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is excited to post this pre-announcement for a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) focused on the development of a model for potential brain and systemic physiological changes that occur after repetitive exposure to low-intensity blast overpressure events in experienced military artillery personnel. PROGRAM BACKGROUND: Blast overpressure dynamics emanating from military artillery pieces is unique from other military weapon systems that may have the potential to exhibit long-term neurological effects. This upcoming RPP will request proposal submissions that describe projects focused on the development of a prototype model system for repetitive blast exposure for artillery weaponry. The Government is seeking a model to provide a tool to operators and system planners to assess potential long-term neurological effects of low-intensity blast exposure specific to military artillery communities. The model shall also enable the assessment of relationships between the numbers of repetitive low-intensity blast exposure from artillery weapons with specific neurological outcome measures. SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS: Previous studies show converging evidence of model systems for neurophysiological effects from cumulative exposure to repetitive blasts in breacher populations. This prototype effort is intended to expand these findings by examining a cohort of experienced artillery personnel who may incur cumulative effects of repeated low-level blast exposure associated with military artillery weaponry. Proposed projects shall 1) conduct a human study to determine the neurophysiological effects of repetitive low-level exposure to overpressure associated with artillery weaponry, and 2) use these data sets to develop a model for potential brain and systemic physiological changes that occur after repetitive exposure to low-intensity blast overpressure events. More details will be provided in the upcoming RPP. Allowable costs include subject matter expertise, consultation to develop a regulatory strategy, model development, and clinical trial support. Performers will be required to obtain approvals by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the U.S. Army Medical Research Development Command (USAMRDC) Human Research Protections Office (HRPO) in accordance with DoD and institutional regulations for human subjects protection. Therefore, all proposals shall account for requirements related to obtaining these approvals to include IRB and HRPO review and approval in the SOW/Milestones Table. POTENTIAL FUNDING: The U.S. DoD anticipates the total project funding for the three (3) year effort to be $2.1 Million Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds. Award funding is expected to be structured incrementally and based upon completion of Milestones and Deliverables. MTEC expects to make a single award in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 to a qualified team to accomplish the statement of work. If a single proposal is unable to sufficiently address the entire scope of the RPP, several Offerors may be asked to work together in a collaborative manner. See the “MTEC Member Teaming” section below for more details. The Period of Performance (POP) is not to exceed three years. ACQUISITION APPROACH: Full proposals will be required in response to this upcoming RPP thus reflecting a single stage acquisition approach. The RPP will be posted to the MTEC website (mtec-sc.org) and a notice will be posted on www.beta.SAM.gov to notify interested parties. The RPP is expected to be released by the end of January 2020 and will have a short proposal preparation period (approximately 30 days). MTEC membership is required for the submission of a full proposal in response to this upcoming MTEC RPP. To join MTEC, please visit http://mtec-sc.org/how-to-join/. MTEC MEMBER TEAMING: While teaming is not required for this effort, Offerors are encouraged to consider teaming during the proposal preparation period (prior to proposal submission) if they cannot address the full scope of technical requirements of the RPP or otherwise believe a team may be beneficial to the Government. MTEC members are encouraged to use the MTEC Database Collaboration Tool to help identify potential teaming partners among other MTEC members. The Database Collaboration Tool provides a quick and easy way to search the membership for specific technology capabilities, collaboration interest, core business areas/focus, R&D highlights/projects, and technical expertise. Contact information for each organization is provided as part of the member profile in the collaboration database tool to foster follow-up conversations between members as needed. The Collaboration Database Tool can be accessed via the “MTEC Profiles Site” tab on the MTEC members-only website. MTEC: The MTEC mission is to assist the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) by providing cutting-edge technologies and supporting 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. POINTS OF CONTACT: For inquiries regarding this pre-announcement, please direct your correspondence to the following contacts: Technical and membership questions – Dr. Lauren Palestrini, MTEC Director of Research, lauren.palestrini@officer.mtec-sc.org Programmatic questions – Ms. Kathy Zolman, MTEC Director of Program Operations, kathy.zolman@ati.org MTEC Member Collaboration Database Tool – Ms. Melissa Sanchez, MTEC Program Administrator, melissa.sanchez@ati.org