36C25024Q0264 ISS.docx

SPECIAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Robotic Therapy Device

The Department of Veterans Affairs Cleveland Medical Center (CLE VAMC), 10701 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106 intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i) - Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. The NAICS code is 334516 with a small business size standard of 1,000. The VA intends to solicit and negotiate with , 77 Accord Park Drive, Suite D1, Norwell, Massachusetts. 02061-1623, for a Robotic Therapy Device.

Patients served by CLE VAMC SCI are often individuals who possess upper extremity deficits due to their spinal cord injuries and disorders. These patients are significantly limited in their strength, range of motion or ability to complete activities of daily living. Traditionally, therapists address these challenges with external supports, manual assistance, or repetitive exercises which can be unmotivating. Although traditional measures can be common, the lack of challenge and intensity can frustrate the individual’s rehabilitation experience. The need for constant therapist guidance creates inefficiencies and may contribute to a delay in the potential neurological recovery of the individual. The additional time that it takes to set the patient up with supports and different therapeutic activities can create logistical barriers to maximizing time spent working on the desired functional skills. Evidence based practice suggests the use of interventions involving exoskeletons in the recovery of neurological conditions such SCI and stroke. We currently have an exoskeleton intended for lower extremity recovery, but we have no such device for recovery and intervention specific to the upper extremity. The ArmeoPower will be an essential part of occupational therapy interventions for veterans diagnosed with tetraplegia and other upper extremity deficits. Many of our veterans also chronic and acute shoulder injuries which also prevent and limit meaningful engagement in daily tasks. Using the ArmeoPower, therapists can provide intense therapy at a level that meets the needs of the individual patient. The interactive software and robotic assistance can allow patients to train earlier in their rehabilitation. With the orthopedic population, the ArmeoPower can provide decreasing assistance to patients as they regain strength following surgery or injury which can help them progress over time. Use of this technology would dramatically increase the rehabilitation staff’s capacity to address patients’ goals by safely delivering intense, challenging therapy.

Apart from offering challenging virtual environments and games, the ArmeoPower with Manovor Power also allows for a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s range of motion and functional capacity. Objective, repeatable measures allow therapists to accurately record a patient’s abilities and track their progress over time. These thorough reports assist therapists to guide their treatments to improve the patients’ greatest limitations. The assessment feature also produces easy to read graphs and charts which illustrate to patients the progress that they have made during their rehabilitation.

The ArmeoPower provides full robotic function at the shoulder, elbow and wrist; utilizes sensors and intuitive software to engage patients in their therapy through functional exercises and motivating games; provides virtual reality feedback for both assessments and treatments; includes a pressure sensitive handgrip to assist with hand opening and closing.; can objectively assess joint range of motion; and isometric torque, movement workspace and movement quality, and produce therapy reports.

Other persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement by Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5PM EST. Such capabilities information will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No solicitation is available at this time. All inquiries must be submitted by email to Rachelle Hamer at rachelle.hamer@va.gov.

Enter “RFQ 36C25024Q1089| Robotic Therapy Device” in the email subject line.