4.2 Justification and Approval_AIR-EEG2_Blacker_1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

This justification is executed by the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC), Silver Spring, MD, on behalf of the Navy to meet Navy Expeditionary Medical Research requirements.

2. Nature and/or description of the action.

Naval Medical Research Unit – Dayton (NAMRU-D) investigators require a research support team capable of 1) biological signal processing and analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) data, 2) using adaptive neural signal processing and machine learning techniques for cognitive and consciousness state estimation, and 3) expertise in using Joint Adaptation in Time- Frequency Plane (JATFP) to investigate the time-frequency dynamics of EEG data as well as a Spatially Sparse Neural Decoder (SSND) to identify relevant spatial characteristics in EEG data.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

The Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D) is conducting a funded study that includes research support from a team with a background in electrophysiology, machine learning, states of consciousness, and signal processing. This study requires application of machine learning tools to detect impairment from hypoxia in electrophysiological data. Funding has been provided to NAMRU-D from the Defense Health Agency under the FY24 Interservice Restoral Program, of which $111,439 is budgeted for the support Team.

The project discussed is titled: Aviator Impairment Recognition by Electroencephalography (AIR- EEG) – Period of performance beginning with receipt of funds and ending 30 SEP 2025.

The objectives are to identify electrophysiological markers of impairment related to hypoxia. The desired outcome is a knowledge product describing results of the study, which may take the form of conference abstract(s) or peer-reviewed publication(s).

4. Identification of the statutory exceptions permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory exception permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 sole source (including brand name) acquisitions or FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) soliciting from a single source.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only one responsible source.

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) <$150K

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

There is only one research team, at the University of Houston, that has demonstrated skills in using JATFP and SSND in EEG data for purposes of cognitive and consciousness state estimation.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Experts in applying JATFP and SSND to EEG data were sought through discussions with colleagues in government and academia and through a search of relevant publications performed on pubmed.gov. Only one research group was found to have demonstrated this capability previously, led by Dr. Nuri F. Ince at the University of Houston. Dr. Ince was contacted by e-mail to discuss their capabilities and interest in this project. The University of Houston provided a Proposal for $109,642 to perform the work within the time frame required. No other proposals were received. Relevant publications by Dr. Ince's team are listed below.

Goksu, F., Ince, N.F., Tewfik, A.H. Neurocomputing, vol. 108, pp. 69–78, May 2013.

Goksu, F., Ince, N.F., Tewfik, A.H. 2011 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and

Signal Processing (ICASSP), 2011, pp. 533–536.

Ince, N.F., Goksu, F., Tewfik, A.H. Commun. Comput. Inf. Sci., vol. 25 CCIS, pp. 357–374, 2008.

Ince, N.F., Goksu, F., Tewfik, A.H., Arica, S. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Elsevier, July 2009.

Onaran, I., Ince, N.F., Abosch, A., Cetin, A.E. 2012 IEEE International Workshop on Machine

Learning for Signal Processing, 2012, pp. 1–7.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer shall determine the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this Justification and Approval will be fair and reasonable by conducting a price analysis before an award is made.

8. Description of the market survey conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

Contacted knowledgeable individuals in government and industry regarding market capabilities to meet the requirement.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

N/A

10. Listing of Sources, if any, which expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

University of Houston, Dr. Muri F. Ince, 713743-4461, nfince@central.uh.edu To date, no other sources have written to express an interest.

11. Statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

Future requirements will be synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.203.

12. Point of Contact:

The point of contact at the Naval Medical Research Command, Silver Spring, MD, regarding the contents of the sole source justification are the Contracting Officers in the Material Management Department (MMD) and can be reached by emailing usn.detrick.nmrc.mbx.mmd-contracts@health.mil.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

BY NAVSUP 4200.83 series I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and approval and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate.

Technical Cognizance

Kara Blacker Phone Date Principal Investigator Brain & Cognitive Sciences/NAMRU-D

Requirements Cognizance

Dr. Richard Arnold Phone Date Director Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory

NAMRU-D

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Contracting Officer Phone Date mailto:usn.detrick.nmrc.mbx.mmd-contracts@health.mil mailto:usn.detrick.nmrc.mbx.mmd-contracts@health.mil

Technical Cognizance