Inactive

Request for Information (RFI) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this RFI in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). The agency does not intend to award a contract but rather gather information... Request for Information (RFI) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this RFI in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). The agency does not intend to award a contract but rather gather information on capability, delivery and other market information pertinent for acquisition planning. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement and identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for the following: BACKGROUND As iNET investee, we seek to build and pilot a prototype at the Reno VA Medical Center. We need a finished prototype by 6/30/21. We will run pilot studies from 7/1/21 through 9/30/21. In accord with the iNET development model, we are mindful of two principles. First, we want to start small and fail small. Rather than making big up-front investments, we want to make smaller up-front investments, to allow us to pivot to user needs as we learn more about our users. Second, if pilot studies indicate a strong return on investment, we can expect iNET support to expand the scope of the pilot to include sites beyond Reno. Eventually, if impact is strong iNET may be able to pitch the innovation for broad implementation across VHA. DESCRIPTION OF THE INNOVATION The VA seeks to enhance existing employee training by providing effective role-play sessions in which employees can safely practice and build confidence in their use of the soft skills they learned in class. The VA seeks to provide these role-play sessions in Virtual Reality. REQUIREMENTS Iterative Collaboration Across All Phases The primary mission is to acquire a protype that meets our requirements, with a preference for existing Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products. The VA is also seeking information on technology vendors who can work collaboratively with VA subject matter experts in order to create a basic design, customized through an iterative process to achieve the project goals. The Technology Virtual Reality We understand that the range of applications called Virtual Reality is very broad. We also understand that Extended Reality is a more current term which includes Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality. Also, there are VR interfaces which do not use headsets: configurations that use large monitors, desktop monitors, or caves are often considered VR. We understand that the content the user experiences can be fully computer-generated or spherical video or a combination of the two. We understand that the virtual humans with whom the users interact can be controlled by artificial intelligence or another human being. We understand that the user can interact with the objects and virtual humans through a myriad of different interfaces. We understand that the optimal design will include and demonstrate the three pillars that distinguish VR: presence, immersion, interaction. Because of the factors listed above, we aim to not constrain the design to one predetermined configuration. We are open to hearing each vendor s design rationale. Having said that, the spirit of this project is to use state of the art VR, which we describe as follows: 6DOF headset with spatialized auditory display Headset runs the experience disconnected from both the internet and a host computer Natural, intuitive gestural controllers to include speech input Virtual Human s behavior controlled by sophisticated AI that does not constrain VH behavior VH s voice, facial expressions and eye movement is convincing PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND APPROACHES We envision a strategy of enhancement not replacement. VA already owns adequate classes, mediate in-person and through our proprietary learning management system (TMS). Per the VA s ADKAR model, the envisioned system fits into the AR steps. The knowledge has already been presented via other classes. This system builds upon the knowledge by providing structured practice and debriefs in order to convert the knowledge to abilities that the user has confidence to employ. Also, this system reinforces the acquired abilities to maximize retention. Though the primary innovation is role-playing with virtual humans, we also value more traditional drill and practice to reinforce skills. The optimal system would provide open-ended role plays with closed-ended drill exercises. For example, the user would conduct a role-play conversation about an employee who is calling off at work because of her fears about COVID. In the debrief, the virtual tutor and user would identify areas for improvement: in this case, the user notices that he had erroneously offered to do a task to support the employee. So, prior to redoing the role-play, the user would repeatedly drill on recognizing and correcting these kinds of errors in real-time. After drilling this skill, the user does the role-play again. Our pedagogical model is built on Experiential Learning. We recognize the Mastery Model of skill acquisition, which is built upon the Dreyfus Five-Stage model. We situate learning in the real task environment and seek to incorporate training principles based upon Naturalistic Decision Making. We envision a debrief period that encourages reflection not just presentation of user results. Ideally, we expect the system to dynamically adapt the experience to the user s demonstrated competency level, but we also realize that could be a future feature. AUTHORING AND MODIFICATIONS ACROSS ALL PHASES We are willing to be trained on the use of your authoring system, but we do not have a development team. We have intelligent, hard-working staff who are willing to learn an authoring system. As we advance across the timeline from prototype to pilot to local deployment to national deployment, we expect to have increasingly greater autonomy in authoring and modifying the innovation. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NETWORK AND DATA COLLECTION The prototype does not need to connect to the VA IT network or to TMS. However, as the system progresses to implementation, it will eventually need to make those connections. The system will collect data only for purposes of assessing user experience and learning outcomes. For purposes of the prototype, there will have to be a way to transmit the collected data without connection to a network. The system will comply with all VA information security and privacy requirements. The vendor will specify exactly what data are collected when connected and not connected to VA network. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for capabilities information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. Your responses may be shared with all stakeholders, thus the information received will not be considered proprietary. If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information: Cover Sheet 1 page Please provide the following information: 1. Organization name, address, and web site. 2. Point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number. 3. Business size (large or small). If small, please provide type of small business. 4. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) that best fits these task areas. 5. If applicable, GSA contract number, schedule, and SIN category. Index 1 page Please provide an index to assist the Government in identifying where you have addressed each question below in your Capabilities Statement and Market Information. Please provide question number and corresponding page and section heading and/or paragraph number. Capabilities Statement and Market Information Please respond to the following questions by providing a capabilities statement and market information. What is your experience working with immersive virtual reality for employee training and education? Upon which pedagogical principles do you base your training applications? What is your rationale for comparing immersive VR to other forms of computer-based training? What level of software coding is required by users of your authoring platform? What additional software would we require? STRUCTURE AND SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES Contractors should respond to this RFI by 2/23/2021 by 1 PM ET via e-mail to Nathan.Bradley2@va.gov. Limit all responses to 20 pages.