Request for Information Mindfulness Based Attention Training Study.pdf

SUBJECT: Military Specific Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT) Study

REQUIRING ACTIVITY NAME: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Center for Military Psychiatry & Neurosciences Research (CMPN)

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS

(RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED

PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE

TO THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED

PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained.

RFI AVAILABILITY: In accordance with FAR Part 10 Market Research, this RFI is to ensure responsible and constructive exchanges with industry while complying with existing law and regulation that does not provide an unfair competitive advantage to particular firms or violate the procurement integrity requirements.

This RFI is being made available through the following platforms to maximize market research to target Prime Contractors to perform:

• SAM.Gov

• General Services Administration (GSA) One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus (OASIS+) Unrestricted

• Defense Health Agency (DHA) OMINBUS IV

COMMERCIALITY NOTICE: This requirement meets the definition of FAR Part 35 “Development”. Development, as used in this part, means the systematic use of scientific and technical knowledge in the design, development, testing, or evaluation of a potential new product or service (or of an improvement in an existing product or service) to meet specific performance requirements or objectives. It includes the functions of design engineering, prototyping, and engineering testing; it excludes subcontracted technical effort that is for the sole purpose of developing an additional source for an existing product. However, the Government is utilizing this RFI to determine the availability of commercial products and services to meet the Government’s needs and there are capable research laboratories with extensive background in Military Specific Mindfulness-Based Attention Training that can effectively support the requirement.

CAPABAILITY STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS: Interested parties are asked to respond to this RFI and submit a capabilities statement that supports the focus of this RFI. Please review the place of performance (contractor’s facility) requirements. Please submit written responses via email in Microsoft Office or PDF format. All responses should be complete: in 12-point font; and not to exceed 5 pages total, including graphics, tables, and appendices.

No hardcopies shall be accepted. No written solicitation document is available at this time. Telephone requests will not be honored, and no bidders list shall be maintained.

CONTACT INFORMATION: No questions will be addressed. All information regarding Capabilities Statements or any other proprietary information relative to this RFI shall be submitted via email to sharew.hailu.civ@health.mil and keith.c.crum.civ@health.mil no later than 10:00AM EST on Monday, 16 June 2025.

REQUIREMENT AND FOCUS AREA

ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The periods of performance for this contract are as follows:

Base Period 15SEP2025 – 14SEP2029

Background: The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations.

Through both times of peace and war, infectious diseases have killed, sickened, and disabled far more Service Members than bombs and bullets. WRAIR has created a model of vaccine and therapeutic development that is unique, nimble, and responsive to dynamically evolving infectious disease threats of military importance. WRAIR, with its unparalleled expertise, facilities, and international network, has developed many vaccines and drugs in use today by military and civilian medicine around the globe.

In addition to protecting against infectious disease threats, WRAIR conducts basic and applied research that promotes psychological resilience, enhances neurological functioning, and improves operational readiness among U.S. Service Members. By using a continuum of research from basic science to applied field studies, WRAIR creates innovative solutions to enhance Service Members’ resilience and recovery. Research in military psychiatry and neuroscience has been an integral part of WRAIR's portfolio for more than 70 years. WRAIR researchers are recognized leaders in operational medical research for the military in a number of fields, including brain trauma, blast exposure, deployment stressors, and sleep management.

The Center for Military Psychiatry & Neurosciences Research (CMPN) is a translational and expeditionary effort to identify and eliminate brain health threats to Soldiers. The CMPN investigates and manipulates the relationship between sleep and performance, performs behavioral health assessments to inform unit Commanders on Soldier behavioral health needs, mailto:sharew.hailu.civ@health.mil mailto:keith.c.crum.civ@health.mil and develops and implements resilience trainings. On a parallel track are efforts to identify and treat traumatic brain injury as well as understand the impact of repeated blast exposure.

With more than 3,000 publications, numerous patents, and many products, the CMPN is an internationally recognized leader in brain and behavioral health, developing evidence-based strategies to diagnose, prevent, and mitigate the psychological demands of war, continuous operations, and brain trauma associated with military service.

Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT) was developed by the University of Miami and has shown positive effects in various military and civilian settings, making its application to specific units like armor units a relevant and potentially beneficial area for further research. This requirement builds upon over 15 years of DoD-funded research to systematically investigate mindfulness training within DoD units.

The CMPN seeks to expand on a collaborative study in the effectiveness of Mindfulness training (MT) on military personnel. MT enhances cognitive function and well-being, potentially benefiting military personnel by improving attention and working memory for mission-related tasks. However, traditional MT programs can be time-consuming and lack relevance for high-demand environments. To address this, the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has requested the development of Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT) for armored crews, a streamlined 4-week MT program with embedded practice designed to optimize performance and well-being in demanding situations.

Objectives: This objective of this requirement is to conduct a study on the effectiveness of MT on military personnel. This study shall be conducted on a three phase approach. The contractor shall be responsible for contextualizing MBAT for armored crews, developing embedded practices, and completing a pilot phase study to optimize delivery (Phase 1). Following completion of Phase 1, the contractor shall provide and evaluate MBAT on computer-based metrics and operational simulator performance (Phase 2). Finally, the contractor shall provide evidence -based recommendations for MBAT implementation for 3ID (Knowledge Product).

The work location is the vendor’s facility. The vendor may be required to recruit participants and conduct study testing with military personnel of 3ID at Fort Stewart, GA remotely.

Specific Tasks/Requirements

Phase 1: Contextualize MBAT for armored crews and conduct a pilot study to optimize delivery

Phase 1, Task 1: Prepare and contextualize training materials

A. Contextualize MBAT for armored crews.

B. Create integrated mindfulness activities for armored crews.

C. Adjust app for both formal and integrated activities.

Phase 1, Task 2: Prepare testing materials

A. Select and finalize computer-based measures (e.g., cognitive task performance, emotional well-being and interpersonal skills).

B. Coordinate and select operational simulator measures.

C. Prepare a written report on “Contextualized MBAT Materials and Testing

Measures for Armored Crews”. This report shall be submitted electronically to the

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) within 12 months from contract award. (A.001)

Phase 1, Task 3: Conduct pilot phase

A. Recruit participants and enroll to mindfulness training (~10 crews, ~20 individuals).

B. Provide MBAT to armored crews.

C. Collect computer-based and operational simulator measures at two timepoints

(pre-MBAT delivery, timepoint 1 (T1) and post-MBAT delivery, timepoint 2 (T2)).

D. Perform data quality and preliminary data analyses.

E. Finalize/adjust training and testing materials, if needed.

F. Prepare a written report on “Training and Assessments for Ramp-Up

Completed”. This report shall be submitted electronically to the COR within 18 months from contract award. (A.002)

Phase 2: Provide and evaluate MBAT on computer-based metrics and operational simulator performance

Phase 2, Task 1: Conduct Round 1 of the evaluation phase (Phase 2 Round 1)

A. Recruit participants and assign to mindfulness training (MT) Group (~30 crews) or wait-list (WL) Group (~30 crews).

B. Provide MBAT to MT Group (~30 crews).

C. Collect computer-based and operational simulator measures at T1 and T2.

D. Provide MBAT to WL Group (~30 crews).

E. Perform data quality analyses of Round 1.

F. Prepare a written report on “Training and Assessments for Round 1 Completed”.

This report shall be submitted electronically to the COR within 30 months from contract award. (A.003)

Phase 2, Task 2: Conduct Round 2 of the evaluation phase (Phase 2 Round 2)

A. Recruit participants and assign to MT Group ( ~30 crews) or WL Group (~30 crews).

B. Provide MBAT to MT Group (~30 crews).

C. Collect computer-based and operational simulator measures at T1 and T2.

D. Provide MBAT to WL Group (~30 crews).

E. Perform data quality analyses of Round 2.

F. Prepare a written report on “Training and Assessments for Round 2 Completed”.

This report shall be submitted electronically to the COR within 42 months from contract award. (A.004)

Phase 3: Provide evidence-based key decisional recommendations for MBAT implementation to 3ID leadership (Knowledge Product)

Phase 3, Task 1: Compare and contrast MT vs. WL groups across rounds

A. Analyze computer-based measures as a function of group (MT vs. WL) and time (T1, T2).

B. Analyze operational simulator measures as a function of group (MT vs. WL) and time (T1, T2).

C. Analyze the impact of mindfulness engagement on changes-over-time (from T1 to T2) in metrics of interest.

D. Prepare report summarizing results. Prepare the final report on “Recommendations for Implementation to 3ID”. This report shall be submitted electronically to the COR within 48 months from contract award. (A.005)

PRIMARY DELIVERABLES

Title/Description Due

Contextualized MBAT Materials and Testing Measures for Armored Crews Report

Delivered to COR electronically within 12 months of contract award.

Training and Assessments for Pilot Completed Report

Delivered to COR electronically within 18 months of contract award.

Training and Assessments for Round 1 Completed Report

Delivered to COR electronically within 30 months of contract award.

Training and Assessments for Round 2 Completed Report

Delivered to COR electronically within 42 months of contract award.

Recommendations for Implementation to

3ID

Delivered to COR electronically within 48 months of contract award.

Program Management Plan (PMP) Due 15 days after contract award;

updated quarterly

Monthly Status Report (MSR) Due monthly (no later than five days following month end)