A02 Request for Information (RFI) for MEDUSA 2.docx

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) NOTIFICIATION TO INCLUDE INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

RFI Number: HT9425-24-R-JBC002

1. Title: Medical Evacuation During Sustained Acceleration (MEDUSA): Validating Critical Care During Simulated Point-to-Point Spaceflight

2. Contracting Office: United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)

3. Location: The United States Air Force (USAF) 59th Medical Wing, Science and Technology Office located at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

4. Summary: This RFI/SS is issued solely for information and planning purposes and shall not be construed as a solicitation, restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach, or serve as an obligation on the part of the Government. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are advised that the United States Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI/SS will be solely at the interested responder’s expense. Not responding to this RFI/SS does not preclude participation in any future Request for Proposal, if any is issued. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to Responders responding to this RFI/SS.

The information resulting from this RFI/SS will determine interest and capabilities available in the marketplace; and will assist in developing acquisition strategy.

5. Background/Scope: The USAF 59th Medical Wing, Science and Technology Office has a requirement for research and development services. The Phase II research study is titled Medical Evacuation During Sustained Acceleration (MEDUSA): Validating Critical Care During Simulated Point-to-Point Spaceflight.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is actively considering rapid movement of supplies and personnel using vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) reusable spacecraft for global point-to-point transit. The physiologic and environmental repercussions of this environment on DOD personnel and Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) equipment remain unexplored, which may have significant implications for mission capability. It is critical that impacts of sustained acceleration on critical care equipment and pathology be better understood so that rapid commercial aerospace engineering advancements do not outpace medical capability in these environments, leading to fatal, mission-ending outcomes.

The Phase II study is a follow-on to the previous Phase I study. The researchers will continue the research completed under the Phase I known as MEDUSA 1. This Phase II study will take the significant insight gained about medical equipment performance in Phase I and introduce a critical care animal model. The intent for this follow-on proposal is to determine the impacts of sustained acceleration on the hemodynamics on a swine model of critical care medical evacuation. The study requires use of a large centrifuge capable of supporting advanced animal research and simulating the flight conditions required by the research protocol. It is anticipated that this research will be foundational to DoD capability to use vertical take-off and vertical landing commercial spacecraft for the movement of ill or injured patients.

The objectives of this requirement include: (1) Determine the impacts of sustained acceleration on the hemodynamics on a swine model of critical care medical evacuation.

How to Respond:

Please submit a Capability Statement that describes relevant experience, expertise, and capabilities based upon the size and scope of this requirement.

Each response should include the following business information and must not be more than ten (10) pages in length:

a) Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives.

b) Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses.

c) Unique Entity ID number, CAGE Code, and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM, at www.sam.gov) to be considered as potential sources.

d) Any and all Government IDIQ Contracts (e.g., Federal Supply Schedule, OASIS, etc.) you currently hold (to include the vehicle and your contract number) that could be used to fulfill this requirement.

e) Describe your organization's specific and relevant experience and expertise to fulfill this requirement. Experience must be of similar size and scope. Please provide examples or provide references of previously completed deliverables related to this requirement.

f) Provide Information relating to capabilities, novel ideas, industry best practices, industry capabilities to meet the needs of the Government’s requirement.

Capability statements will be reviewed for (1) Relevant experience based on the size and scope of the outlined requirement; (2) Company specific capabilities that match the work outlined in the RFI. The formal closing date for this RFI/SS and for the submission of all responses is NLT 21 May 2024 at 12:00PM Eastern Time. All responses shall be submitted electronically using PDF or MS Word formats to the POC, Mr. Brandon Clingan at James.b.clingan.civ@health.mil and Mr. Jeremy McMurry at Jeremy.l.mcmurry.civ@health.mil. The Government will not entertain questions regarding this RFI/SS. All responses received will be considered; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.