Attachment 1_SON v2.pdf

STATEMENT OF NEED

FOR

HQ 2 AF/Det 23 TACSTIM Procurement 11 July 2025

1.0. BACKGROUND: Prolonged military operations and training in harsh and adverse conditions compromise the perceptual, cognitive, and emotional resources necessary to sustain performance on mission and training related tasks across the Air Force. 2AF has a mandate to decrease the impact of training deficiencies by assessing a trainee’s complex neural network, neurotransmitters, and physiological factors that significantly influence behavior, learning, and overall well-being.

The purpose of this effort is for 2AF to acquire (12) cognitive neuro-enhancement tools, TAC- STIM, for training research. Testing, research, and analysis will be performed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) due to their extensive background and co-development of the device. Assessment groups will not exceed 180 students within two of the most strenuous and historically higher failure rate courses. The study will be performed in different locations against two Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC); Air Traffic Control and Pararescue.

The TAC-STIM Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve (nVNS) device activates the vagus nerve with mild pulses of electrical energy delivered to the neck. The vagus nerve projects to the brain, where it modulates multiple neural connections and the balance of key neurotransmitters involved in learning and memory, motivational and emotional states, and pain and inflammation.

The research will identify the benefits and conditions that have the potential to help improve areas such as learning, memory, and enhance multiple elements of cognition.

1.1. Customer Organization and Mission: HQ 2 Air Force (2 AF) mission is to train, develop, and inspire Airmen to deliver airpower for America.

1.2. Project Overview: HQ 2 AF/Det 23 seeks to find a solution to assist in education of Airmen that can accelerate training, sustain attention, reduce fatigue, and improve mood.

1.3. Program Objective: HQ 2 AF/Det 23 plans to research, asses, and identify the impact to Technical Training using the TAC-STIM, cognitive neuro-enhancement tool and techniques.

2.0. SCOPE OF WORK: Procurement of 9 TAC-STIM devices (part number 10020-00301- X1), plus an additional 3 no cost research devices will be supplied by the contractor.

3.0. DELIVERABLES: (12) TAC-STIM devices (10020-00301-X1) in full operational capability upon delivery with no damage, training materials, and 1-year Limited Warranty The Contractor shall ensure the inventory is available upon Government request and shipped to government provided address.

3.1. Salient Characteristics for a suitable equal:

a) The device must be capable of administering vagus nerve stimulation non-invasively (nVNS) by delivering a signal through the skin to either the right or left branches of the vagus nerve at the carotid notch in the neck.

b) Must allow users to self-administer.

c) Must be available without a prescription

d) Must be portable

e) Must be designed and ruggedized for military use

f) Must provide a preset 2-minute duration session followed by another 2 minute duration session without operator interface

g) Must not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interface

h) Must not be smartphone compatible (must be a “dumb” device)

i) Must provide unlimited sessions

j) Must have easily selectable 3 variable intensity (low, medium, high)

4.0. SOFTWARE ANNUAL LICENSES SUBSCRIPTION:

4.1. Contractor shall provide any updates required to stakeholder representative for evaluation sets.

4.2. As needed, the delivered software products will be in the most current version and will include new releases and software “bug fixes” since the version release.

4.3. All deliverables must meet professional standards and meet the requirements set forth in the purchase order. All material produced under this contract shall become the sole property of the

USAF.

5.0. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/DELIVERY SCHEDULE: Base Year (1 Aug 2025 – 30 Sep 2026) Type of Appropriation: 3400 Funds

6.0. GOVERNMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 2 AF/Det 23 will purchase the equipment, and the 81 TRW will be appointed to manage the devices.