36C25022Q0898.docx

SUBJECT*

Equipment, Open-Source Bionic Leg - Research, CLE

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 6150 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 300

Independence OH 44131

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Christopher A. Callihan christopher.callihan@va.gov 216-447-8300

NA

NA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Special Notice Special Notice

DESCRIPTION

Special Notice

The VISN 10 Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Human Movement Technologies LLC. the manufacturer. This is for the acquisition of the Open Source Leg Assembly Package required by the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1702. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 334516. The Government believes that Human Movement Technologies LLC is the only contractor that can satisfy the current requirement of the agency. Therefore, the Government intends to proceed with a sole source for the required equipment.

This procurement is for 1 EA of;

Open Source Leg Assembly Package Additional Dephy BA30 LiPo Battery Bent Knee Adapter Lift Shoe Service Extension: Warranty

The items are expected to be delivered within 120 days ARO / ASAP.

utilizing FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S. Code § 8127(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute).

To the best of our knowledge, Human Movement Technologies LLC is the only source that can provide the required equipment.

The Open-Source Bionic Leg designed by the University of Michigan and distributed by Human Movement Technologies LLC is the only open-source leg in the market. This allows us to purchase a leg and still allowing us to manipulate the hardware and software of the designed leg. Having an open-source leg gives us access to consistent hardware that other researchers also using the open-source leg are using so that we can focus more on the research of the control systems used during collaboration.

The University of Michigan released an open-sourced smart prosthetic leg with the goal of furthering research in the prosthetics field by normalizing the hardware used. This prosthetic leg is available for purchase through Human Motion Technologies LLC. It also creates a consistent standard for the hardware being used in prosthetic research so that researchers can collaborate on developing better software control systems without having to consider the hardware in technical discrepancies. For our research project we do need a prosthetic leg which could be interfaced with the remaining nervous system in the lower limb. This device would allow us to conduct our research project on how we can establish a neural connection between human body and a robotic prosthesis in a lower limb amputee. This prosthesis will help us to develop a technology which will lead to better balance, stimuli detection, and societal participation while decreasing the amount of cognitive energy amputees must expend while moving their lower extremities.

The Government’s technical experts conducted market research by reviewing the market and querying the manufacturer of the existing solution. This market research is an ongoing process and continuously being conducted, as recently as June 2022. Based on continued market research, the Government’s technical experts determined that fitment and function requirements limit the requirement to the system described above. The VA Subject Matter Experts regularly review industry trade publications and conduct internet research to ascertain if any other solutions are available. Based on all of these market research efforts, the Government’s technical experts have determined that only the Human Movement Technologies LLC System can meet all of VA’s needs.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available; however, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within five (5) business days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. Information can be sent to the Contracting Officer via email at christopher.callihan@va.gov. Responses received will be evaluated however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, on or before COB July 29, 2022, the VA will proceed with the sole source award to Human Movement Technologies LLC for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

THIS SYNOPSIS DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT FOR ANY SUPPLY OR SERVICE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS.

Page 1 of

Page 1 of