Request for Information: NASA MSFC Flexible, Wearable Sensor Array for astronaut crews for health monitoring
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is seeking information from industry about potential sources for a flexible wearable sensor array for astronaut crews for health monitoring called “AstroSense” for use in future human space mission applications. AstroSense is an assembly consisting of a reader, liner, adhesive, flexible substrate with conductive electrodes, and a device-to-skin adhesive. This Request for Information (RFI) is in support of market research related to fabrication of flexible, wearable electronic devices for acquisition and transmission of real-time health and environmental monitoring data. Astrosense is part of a knowledge-based application of Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE). FHE fabrication and assembly uses an additive manufacturing process that combines silicon integrated circuits (IC) to create conformable and stretchable smart products for medical wearable devices. These devices can detect characteristics such as cortisol levels and measure levels of CO2 in the surrounding environment. AstroSense is a printed electronic sensor device with integrated circuit capability on a FHE substrate. Specifically, NASA MSFC is looking for interested sources with the capabilities to provide the following:
Substrate:
The ability to apply FHE as a substrate for a flexible, comfortable, stretchable human-skin contact sensor device that allows for on-demand direct die placement in IC device application. This sensor allows for detection of parameters including, but not limited to, cortisol and CO2.
Manufacturing:
The ability to provide additive manufacturing of the integrated circuit is on a FHE substrate. This manufacturing requires the direct-attach of thinned die on the FHE substrate. Assembly must be automated, repeatable, and reliable. Automated additive steps are required to: prepare the thinned die, verify its function, print the on-demand sensors, assemble the die and other electronic components to the FHE substrate, and integrate the entire sensor device with printed cortisol biosensor and other internal layers for connectivity.
Electrical/Mechanical Design including Potentiometer development:
Provide characterizations of the sensing parameters that include, but are not limited to, measuring frequency, range of acceptable values that each sensor is detecting, and receiving and transmitting notifications required from the system. Complete electrical design of the FHE board includes sensor integration, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) wireless communications/interface to sensors, integration of the microprocessor and RFID devices, and interconnection of the hardware design to optimize connection to the removable printed cortisol sensor. This mechanical connection must be reliable and repeatable for the wearable device.
Design and develop a printed potentiometer circuit for interfacing the wireless RFID network to the printed sensor network. Test and verify functionality of the potentiometer circuit with NASA.
Flexible Sensor Reader:
Design of the sensor reader including integration of flexible components and assembly of sensors to the flexible board.
Inspection, Testing, and Verification:
Quality inspection, testing and verification of completed sensor devices.
Environmental parameters include:
Survive storage and transport temperatures between -50 and +50 degrees Celsius, including qualification margin
Operate at +15 Celsius to +25 Celsius +/- 5 degrees Celsius
Operate at 20% to 65% Humidity levels +/- 5%
The anticipated NAICS code for this requirement is 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).
Statement of Capabilities:
NASA MSFC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, regardless of business size or status, for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition for this requirement. Interested parties that have the experience base, expertise, and capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit a response to this sources sought notice.
Response Instructions: We request responses within fifteen (15) days of the release date of this RFI – in the form of written and illustrated concepts, ideas, and descriptions of capabilities. Responses shall be submitted via email to Jesica Henderson at Jesica.p.henderson@nasa.gov. Phone calls will not be accepted. The subject line of the submission should be “RFI AstroSense” and attachments should be in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format. Files should not be greater than seven (7) pages (no less than 12-point font, except in figure captions) and contain the following information:
Name of submitter and contact information, phone number, email address, and address of firm
Identification of business size under anticipated NAICS code 541715
CAGE code/DUNs number
Number of years in business and list of customers for the past five years: The Government encourages respondents to provide a list of customers for the past five years that helps demonstrate the respondent firm's capabilities and experiences. (Interested parties may opt to present a subset of past customers that is most relevant to the requirement.)
Discussion of past experiences and performances relevant to the requirements above, including supporting evidence from past projects or programs
Statement of current capabilities and qualifications that address the respondent's ability to provide support which meets the requirements specified below:
Supporting evidence or justification to Substrate, Manufacturing, Firmware, Flexible Sensor Reader, Inspection, Test and Verification, and Environmental Parameters
Overview of FHE manufacturing capability
Estimated development time and time to first unit providing detail to anticipated long lead items
Overview of quality standards and approaches for the manufacturing and assembly that could be employed
Place of Contract Performance:
No contractor personnel is expected to be located on-site at NASA MSFC, but they will travel occasionally to MSFC and possibly other NASA facilities to support reviews and technical interchange meetings. Some activities will require the prime contractor to host government personnel at the prime contractor’s facility.
Disclaimer:
It is not NASA's intent to publicly disclose vendor proprietary information obtained from this RFI. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as "Proprietary or Confidential" will be kept confidential. It is emphasized that this RFI is for planning and information purposes only (subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3, "Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes") and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. NASA will decide on whether to proceed with a procurement action, based on the responses received.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in beta.sam.gov. It is the potential respondent’s responsibility to monitor that site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. The Government intends to review all responses submitted by Industry.
At our discretion, NASA may hold meetings with respondents as needed to clarify responses and obtain further details. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents.
80MSFC20ST0421 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center
4/22/20, 3:44 PM NASA MSFC Intent to Sole Source Flexible, Wearable Sensor Array for astronaut crews for health monitoring
NASA/MSFC has a requirement for the integration, manufacture, assembly, testing and verification of a cortisol and CO2 wearable sensor device for use in human space mission applications. This technology uses a Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) platform. FHE combines electronics with 3D printing (additive manufacturing). FHE integrates silicon components, 3D printed conductive inks, and pasting of electronics on flexible substrates. FHE can be used to integrate electronics into stretchable, wearable devices.
This work will build on previous NASA-led research activities in FHE for crew health monitoring. Additional tasks will include integration and testing of cortisol and CO2 prototype sensors, identification and evaluation of adhesives for securing the device on human skin, integration of radio frequency identification (RFID) into the electronics platform for wireless communication, and inspection/testing/verification of all design elements. Additional work to mature the system to a flight opportunity will come as a result of successful prototype device testing and verification.
NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the items from NextFlex. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source.
The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Jesica Henderson at Jesica.p.henderson@nasa.gov not later than 3:00 p.m. Central Time on June 30, 2020. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html
80MSFC20ST0611 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center
6/12/20, 10:02 AM Rapid Research and Development for Researcher and Warfighter Needs
The objective is to create an active collaboration between warfighters and engineers/scientists to use rapid problem solving and manufacturing methods to develop and transition near term technologies that solve current warfighter needs. Areas of interest include personnel equipment, electronics, manufacturing and industrial technologies, systems support, and both functional and structural materials. Rapid development support may include material and mechanical property evaluations, design of prototypes, equipment and tools, technical and operational expertise, efficient subcontracting, and robust connections that allow for the conception, test, and delivery of creative solutions.
20-S-5005 Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Research Laboratory
3/10/20, 9:49 AM