Industry Day for SimLEARN - Bariatric Body Distribution - Late June 2024..docx

Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN) The National SimVET (Simulation Validation, Evaluation and Testing) Program Title: Bariatric Project

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN) ONLY (as defined in FAR 15.201(e)); this is not a solicitation. A Solicitation is not available at this time. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government and does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. Those submitting information are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred.

The purpose of this RFI/SSN is to conduct market research and obtain information on industry capability to support the requirement as described in the problem statement below. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed beneficial and legally appropriate. Your responses may be shared with all stakeholders, thus the information received will not be considered proprietary.

1. Introduction:

The National Simulation Validation, Evaluation and Testing (SimVET) Center is a common space that gathers simulationists, health care professionals, and public health leaders to fulfill the Simulation Learning, Evaluation, Assessment, and Research Network (SimLEARN) mission to advance Veteran health care. SimVET National Simulation Center, SimVET Portfolio has a new program, SimVET Synergist, that will take an interprofessional team (IPT) approach to looking for bariatric body distribution tools capable of measuring body mass circumference of patients with starting weight between 300 – 500 pounds. The purpose of SimVET Synergist is to provide the opportunity between academia, Government, and industry sectors to collaborate for one specific solution.

2. Problem Statement:

In VA, the bariatric population continues to grow. Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPH&M) has identified gaps in care, with one notable gap being a lack of effective means to accurately measure body mass distribution of bariatric patients. Specifically, care providers must be equipped to measure plus sized veterans in multiple positions including standing, walking, sitting, side lying, prone and supine. The lack of an effective tool creates issues with access to care and in some cases, undignified moments of care for these patients. SPHM proactively seeks to discover current available tools, and then determine the best possible (most plausible) solution(s) for measuring body mass distribution of this growing population.

3. Project Aim:

There is limited published research in the development of body distribution tools for the bariatric population in multiple positions to date. Having such technology will inform future development efforts by stakeholder groups including manufacturers, Construction and Design engineers, and direct care providers, and as a result will improve the care of our bariatric population over time.

The first project that will be undertaken is body mass distribution technology for the bariatric VA population.

Project goals include:

· Equitability Access (primary goal)

· Zero harm emotional and physical (safer patient experience inclusion of emotional states)

· Dignity

· Self-worth

· Confidence

· Physical Safety

4. Response Instructions:

a. Response format, deadline, and page limit- Responses should be submitted in Microsoft Word format with 12 pt. or greater font size. Respondents should limit marketing material to allow sufficient space for adequate, direct, and substantive responses with the information of most interest to the Government. The due date for responses is COB Friday, May 31, 2024.

In all correspondence relevant to this RFI/SSN please identify it as a response to the “The National SimVET (Simulation Validation, Evaluation and Testing) - Bariatric Project” (on response and in Subject Line of email).

CONFIDENTIALITY: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

b. Specific Response Instructions- If your organization has the potential capability to develop a body distribution tool for the bariatric population in multiple positions, please provide the following information:

One-page Cover Sheet containing--

1. Organization name, address, and web site.

2. Point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number.

3. Business size (large or small). If small, please provide type of small business.

4. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) that best fits the areas covered in this RFI.

5. If applicable, GSA (or other) contract number, schedule, and SIN category.

6. If SDVOSB, are you certified as such at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov)?

One-page Index-- Please provide an index to assist the Government in identifying where you have addressed each question below in your Capabilities Statement and Market Information. Please provide question number and corresponding page and section heading and/or paragraph number.

Capabilities Statement and Market Information – In addition to providing your capabilities statement and market information, your responses should address the following questions:

Bariatric Body Distribution Measurement Tool Questions:

1. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure the bariatric size (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution by use of the solution tool.

2. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in a bed.

3. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in a chair.

4. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurements in the standing position.

5. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in a supine position.

6. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in Fowler’s (sitting) position in bed.

7. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in the prone position.

8. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in right lateral recumbent position.

9. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in left lateral recumbent position.

10. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement in Trendelenburg position.

11. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution tool is portable.

12. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution tool is usable machine size.

13. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution tool is under 30 lbs.

14. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution measurement tool is wireless (preferred).

15. Demonstrate that the proposed solution can measure bariatric size patients (starting at 300 lbs. – 500 lbs.) body distribution tool is an application-based product (desirable).

16. Demonstrate that the proposed solution provides EMR integration capabilities(desirable).

17. Demonstrate that the proposed solution provides Artificial Intelligence to predicate over time a bariatrics increase or decrease in girth size (desirable).

18. Demonstrate that the proposed solution as the ability to predict the bariatric patient size in matching to a medical device (desirable), meaning based on result a provider can know how patient’s dimensions match up to a device (such as a CT table, MRI table, Operating table size, etc). A specific brand may be chosen to show how this could be accomplished during the demonstration.

19. Identify and describe the Bariatric Body Distribution Measurement Tool proposed solution e.g., is it a technology, device, process, or training solution.

20. Provide list of government and/or industry organizations who are using the Bariatric Body Distribution Measurement Tool proposed solution and use case being supported by the solution.

21. Provide total life cycle description for the Bariatric Body Distribution Measurement Tool proposed solution.

5. Virtual Industry Day VA will host a Virtual Industry Day during the last week of June (specific day, time, and links to access the meeting will be provided to respondents of the RFI three weeks prior to the event) This event will have two phases (during this single event):

1- The Government experts will set the stage for discussion by explaining and expanding on the problem Statement 2- The vendors will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the problem statement above.

Please provide your company's point of contact/attendee information by COB Friday, May 31, 2024, via e-mail to michelle.regragui@va.gov and jacky.jean-jacques@va.gov. Respondents will receive an invite to the Industry Day event, as provided above.