Request for Information_High-Speed XRAY.docx

Request for Information

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) as a means of conducting market research to identify current market capabilities available in the field of High-Speed X-Rays and the vendors working in this field.

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes only. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

BACKGROUND

USAARL Injury Biomechanics and Protection Group (IBPG) requires the procurement of a high-speed x-ray system. This system is necessary as part of a medical ballistics research laboratory to allow investigations into simulated Soldier injuries from ballistic exposures in a variety of scenarios, such as those that result from behind armor blunt trauma (BABT) and behind helmet blunt trauma (BHBT). BABT and BHBT occur when Soldier personal protective equipment (PPE) defeats an incoming ballistic round and deforms inward toward the wearer in an occurrence known as backface deformation (BFD). The need exists for a high-speed, high-resolution x-ray system capable of capturing and recording high-resolution x-ray images of an incoming projectile being defeated by the armor or a helmet and high-resolution x-ray images of the subsequent BFD into the wearer and underlying anatomical structures (i.e., bones and organs). These images will be used to ascertain measurements of the projectile being defeated by the PPE and the resulting BFD, and the interactions with the simulated wearer (i.e., a non-biological or biological surrogate). These interactions involve submillimeter motion and deformations requiring sufficient image quality and clarity for such measurements. Additionally, the x-ray system must capture movement and deformation over a range of velocities through the entire event sequence: (1) the projectile in free flight prior to impact; (2) the impact event that may include defeat of the projectile; (3) the dynamic deformation of the armor or helmet material; and (4) the resulting non-biological or biological response after and behind the initial impact. Simulated medical research experiments could produce movement and deformations that occur at rates throughout a velocity range from a few m/s to hundreds m/s.

In addition to BABT and BHBT applications, the USAARL IBPG will use the high-speed x-ray system with other investigations of impact, which includes using a linear impactor as part of helmet impact testing. Similar submillimeter requirements exist for this application to identify the relationship between the helmet and the simulated wearer (fit, retention, etc.) and their individual motions.

Minimum Essential Characteristics (MEC) – High-Speed X-Ray System

1. X-ray frame rate: Be capable of taking images at a rate sufficient to take submillimeter measurements of all sub-events within ballistics research environments described above throughout the event sequence (i.e., from projectile prior to impact, to motion and deformation during impact, and then resulting surrogate material or internal response from impact). If a tradeoff is required because of the range of velocities anticipated throughout the ballistic event sequence, the priority of events to be captured are the armor deformation into the surrogate material and the resulting internal response of the test surrogate.

2. Field of view: Be capable of imaging all sub-events within the event sequence around the main impact associated with projectile interacting with body armor and the biological or mechanical surrogate. An estimated field of view could be 12 inches in diameter with larger fields of view advantageous.

3. Quality: Capture x-ray images of resolution and clarity to allow measurement of submillimeter motion or deformation within the medical ballistic research environment described above throughout the event sequence.

4. Power: Capable of imaging through bone and/or ceramics to observe submillimeter motion or deformation during the event sequence such as material deformation, fracture, and soft tissue movement/responses.

5. Length of Capture: Ability to capture sufficient number of images at a quality and rate to make submillimeter measures throughout the field of view to capture motion and deformation within the entire impact event sequence.

6. X-ray generation: Capable of radiographic acquisition over a minimum of 2 seconds at maximum capabilities described in #1 - #5. To meet all requirements, the capability should be described for the generation of radiation through either a continuous x-ray energy mode or multiple anodes for time synched capture of sequential x-ray images.

7. Adjustability:

· The x-ray system must be physically adjustable to allow imaging of the event and surrogate of interest orthogonally (Threshold: side; Objective: side, above, or below).

· The system must allow ease of movement to position within lab space and around surrogates and equipment fixtures:

· Wheeled support or mobile floor stand(s) for all components of the x-ray system and its required support equipment.

· Ability to adjust the height and orientation of the x-ray equipment to the appropriate height and orientation of the impact region and surrogate of interest.

· Any required cabling between components of the x-ray system at the capture space around the surrogate of interest must be a minimum of 15 feet in length.

· Any required cabling between components of the x-ray system remote from the capture space must be a minimum of 30 feet in length; and

· The system height above floor level cannot exceed 8 feet.

· The distance between the x-ray source and the image capture components (e.g., scintillator and/or camera) must be adjustable to at least 26 inches to accommodate various width surrogates (non-biological and biological surrogates, etc.).

· All components must be independently mobile in order to separate or move components around surrogate of interest to allow positioning of the surrogate.

8. Record x-ray images: Must include high-speed camera and all associated hardware, software, and connections (e.g., camera mounting hardware, camera lens, direct view mirror, power, cabling, memory, ethernet connectivity, etc.) to record digital images of x-ray image. High-speed camera capabilities must ensure no loss or degradation of x-ray system capabilities (quality, field of view, frame rate, length of capture, etc.).

9. Setup and Control: The system must include a system interface(s), software, if necessary, and all connections for control of the system:

· Energizing the system, x-ray generation and capture, and recording x-ray imaging.

· Ability to specify frame rate, power, quality, length of capture, etc.

· Synchronization of all components within the x-ray system and with external equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems that includes external trigger inputs and outputs (BNC, 5V TTL, etc.):

· Time synching capabilities must extend to x-ray generation, capture, and digitization.

· Timing and control must extend to digital image recording.

· Trigger input from other instrumentation or remote trigger that allows distance and barriers to protect all test personnel from ballistic impact and radiation; and

· Ability to visually position the x-ray system components to capture desired field of view without energizing the x-ray system through an aid (e.g., visual cross hair or box outlining field of view, live digital image via high-speed camera, etc.).

10. Logistics:

· The entire x-ray system and support equipment will be used and co-located with a ballistic range and a linear impactor in a medical research laboratory.

· The capture space (the space immediately available around the target surrogate) is limited to 10 feet x 10 feet.

· The lab space ceiling height is limited to 8 feet.

11. Delivery and installation of entire system with proof of functionality.

12. Training USAARL personnel on use and basic troubleshooting and maintenance.

13. Warranty: Parts and Labor and Software

14. Remote Support: Email and phone during business hours

15. Describe any Preventative Maintenance Package

16. Describe all physical dimensions (height, width, length, weight, etc.) of all components.

17. Describe all power requirements for all components (voltage, current, number of circuits, etc.)

SUBMISSION DETAILS

The government is seeking information from businesses on what their ability is to meet the requirements listed above.

If your organization would like to submit information in response to this RFI, please include the following information in your submission:

1) Fill out the below chart (Organization name, address, website address, size, and type of ownership for the organization, Cage Code, Unity Entity ID (from SAM.gov)) and point of contact including their title, telephone number and email address.

2) Response package highlighting:

a. The ability to meet or exceed each MEC listed above.

b. A description of the equipment available and its capabilities.

c. A description of current and past instances your equipment is being used in similar scenarios.

3) Fill in the below table and include it with your submission:

Organization Name

Organization Address

Point of Contact

Phone Number

E-mail Address

Cage Code

Unique Entity ID

Company Web Page

Company Location(s)

Company is / is not a Small Business

Company is / is not System for Award Management (SAM) Registered

Other Classifications (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned)

If 8(a), date that the company graduates from the program.

All submissions shall be no more than 10 pages in length in Times New Roman font of no less than 10 pitch. All submissions shall be submitted in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF).

Responding to this request with generic material only such as brochures, advertisements or other generic material is highly discouraged. The Government welcomes input and will accept questions pertaining to this RFI; however, the Government reserves the right to answer or not to answer all questions received. Questions pertaining to this RFI are due by 1300 Eastern Time on 08 July 2024. Only one set of questions per vendor will be accepted. Contact with Government personnel, other than those specified in this request, by potential vendors or their employee’s regarding this requirement is not permitted.

All responses to this RFI must be provided via email no later than (NLT) 1300 Eastern Time on 08 July 2024, via email, to Ryan R. Jorgensen at ryan.r.jorgensen.civ@health.mil and Tonya R. Kreps at tonya.r.kreps.civ@health.mil No extensions will be granted.