SIMStation_GO_Justification_Edited for Post.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE

SIMStation GO Mobile Simulation Audiovisual Recording and Debriefing System National Institutes of Health NIH Clinical Center - Simulation Program

1. Purpose and Description of Requirement The NIH Clinical Center Simulation Program requires a portable, self-contained audiovisual (AV) recording and debriefing system to support simulation-based education, clinical training, competency assessment, and in-situ simulation activities throughout the NIH Clinical Center.

Simulation activities are conducted in both dedicated simulation spaces and clinical environments where permanently installed AV infrastructure may not be available or practical. Accordingly, the required system must be capable of rapid deployment between locations while providing an integrated capability for audiovisual capture, observation, recording, patient-monitor capture, control, playback, and video-assisted debriefing.

The required system must minimize equipment footprint, setup time, cabling, and dependence on permanent AV or NIH network infrastructure while providing a standardized and reliable simulation recording and debriefing workflow.

2. Minimum Operational Requirements The required solution must provide the following combination of capabilities:

Purpose-built for healthcare simulation and in-situ training;

Portable configuration capable of rapid deployment between training locations;

Transportable and operable by a single individual;

Integrated audio and video capture, including multiple camera and point-of-view capability;

Patient-monitor/display capture;

Live observation and recording;

Integrated playback and video-assisted debriefing;

Dedicated control, debriefing, and viewing capability;

Local processing and storage;

Non-cloud-based routine operation;

Ability to conduct routine recording, control, playback, and debriefing without dependence on public internet connectivity or the NIH enterprise network;

Minimal requirement for permanently installed AV or network infrastructure; and Manufacturer-provided software maintenance, updates, and technical support.

Internet connectivity is not required for routine operation of SIMStation GO and is used only for software updates. The quoted SIMStation GO configuration includes two PoE cameras, a point-of-view head camera, microphone, speaker, patient-monitor capture device, control server, two Wi-Fi access points, simulation switch, and dedicated tablets for control, debriefing/transmission/media, and viewing. The system is designed for one-case transport, one-person operation, rapid setup, and wireless operation.

3. Market Research Conducted The NIH Clinical Center Simulation Program conducted market research to identify commercially available and internally integrated AV solutions capable of meeting the requirement. Market research included review and/or direct vendor contact involving Laerdal SimCapture, IVS VALT/ROAM, and other commercially available portable simulation AV systems. NIH also evaluated the feasibility of developing an AV solution through the integration of individual commercially available components.

The research established that other products provide various combinations of video recording, observation, debriefing, portability, patient-monitor capture, and network-independent functionality. Therefore, NIH's determination is not based on an assertion that any single feature is exclusive to SIMStation GO. The determination is based on the combination of NIH operational requirements, evaluation of alternative approaches, successful evaluation of SIMStation GO in the intended NIH environment, and the proprietary nature of the selected SIMStation GO system.

4. Laerdal SimCapture NIH contacted Laerdal as part of its market research regarding the SimCapture platform. SimCapture was identified as a commercially available healthcare simulation capture and debriefing platform with capabilities related to audiovisual capture, patient-monitor capture, and debriefing.

The preliminary market review identified network and infrastructure considerations associated with SimCapture Cloud configurations, including customer IT involvement and site-readiness activities, network connectivity, AWS-hosted services, outbound ports, VLAN considerations, and PoE networking. NIH did not retain sufficient documentation from its direct vendor contact to support a more detailed comparison of the particular Laerdal configuration discussed, pricing, or a final technical determination. Accordingly, NIH does not represent that Laerdal lacks all or any individual capabilities required by the Clinical Center.

5. IVS VALT Server and ROAM Mobile Solution NIH obtained a formal proposal from CIS Secure/Intelligent Video Solutions for an IVS VALT Video Server and two ROAM mobile units. The proposed system would provide video observation, recording, communication, monitoring, and related functionality within the Simulation Lab. However, the proposed solution was designed to be installed and integrated into existing NIH IT infrastructure.

The proposed VALT architecture requires an on-premises physical server that manages live streaming, recording, annotation, playback, and storage. The ROAM mobile units connect to the VALT server through existing PoE connections or wireless network infrastructure. The proposal also identifies dependencies including access to an on-premises server room/AV closet/data center, server-rack capacity, PoE ports and/or existing NIH wireless infrastructure. NIH would be responsible for validating operation within its network infrastructure and policies and for required network cabling.

The total proposed cost was ##########, including the VALT Server, two ROAM mobile units, licenses, installation, training, one year of software services, and one year of operations and maintenance. Although the VALT/ROAM solution provides substantial AV functionality, the proposed architecture requires greater installation and integration with NIH infrastructure than the portable, self-contained deployment model required for this acquisition.

6. Internally Integrated AV Alternative NIH also evaluated an approach involving the integration of individual commercially available AV components. The proposed base configuration included equipment from multiple manufacturers, including Axis cameras, Shure audio equipment, QSC processing and control equipment, Netgear networking equipment, Middle Atlantic rack components, cabling, hardware, programming, installation, and maintenance/support.

##########, This approach would require integration, installation, programming, and ongoing support of components from multiple manufacturers. It represents an installed and integrated AV solution rather than a purpose-built, portable simulation system designed for rapid deployment between clinical locations.

7. Evaluation and Selection of SIMStation GO SIMStation GO was evaluated beyond a review of manufacturer literature. The NIH Clinical Center team participated in a virtual demonstration and subsequently conducted an on-site evaluation and testing of SIMStation GO within the NIH Clinical Center simulation laboratory. This evaluation provided NIH personnel with direct experience using the proposed system and allowed the program to assess its suitability for the intended simulation environment and operational workflow.

SIMStation GO provides an integrated, purpose-built mobile simulation platform combining the required AV capture, patient-monitor capture, recording, control, observation, and debriefing functionality in a portable configuration.

Of particular importance to the Clinical Center, SIMStation GO is a non-cloud-based system and does not require public internet connectivity or connection to the NIH enterprise network for routine recording, control, playback, and debriefing. The system operates using its dedicated local infrastructure. Internet connectivity is needed only for software updates. This architecture supports rapid in-situ deployment without requiring permanent AV installation or routine connection to NIH enterprise networking at each location.

8. Proprietary and Sole-Source Status Following NIH's evaluation and selection of SIMStation GO, SIMStation Inc. provided a formal sole-source letter dated August 31, 2026. SIMStation states that it is the sole-source provider for the SIMStation GO product, including its software and associated hardware, due to the proprietary nature of the system.

SIMStation further states that it maintains exclusive rights to the system's technology, including its firmware, software, and hardware configurations, and that only SIMStation can guarantee full compatibility and continued technical support for SIMStation GO. Accordingly, once NIH determined through market research and operational evaluation that SIMStation GO met the combination of requirements for this acquisition, the proprietary SIMStation GO system could only be obtained from SIMStation Inc., based upon the manufacturer's written sole-source representation.

9. N/A Solution Evaluated

SIMStation GO

IVS VALT Server + two ROAM units

Internally integrated AV base upgrade

10. Basis for Sole-Source Determination NIH's determination is based upon the totality of the market research and technical evaluation performed. Alternative commercial and integrated AV solutions were identified and considered. These alternatives provide various portions of the functionality required by the Clinical Center; therefore, NIH does not assert that individual features such as video recording, debriefing, portability, patient-monitor capture, or network independence are unique to SIMStation GO.

Rather, SIMStation GO was determined to meet the required combination of operational characteristics in a single purpose-built platform, including:

One-case portability;

One-person deployment and operation;

Rapid setup for in-situ simulation;

Integrated audiovisual recording and debriefing;

Patient-monitor capture;

Dedicated control, debriefing, and viewing capability;

Local processing and storage;

Non-cloud-based routine operation;

No requirement for public internet or NIH enterprise network connectivity during routine simulation activities;

Reduced dependence on permanent AV and network infrastructure; and Successful evaluation within the NIH Clinical Center simulation environment.

The NIH Clinical Center's virtual and on-site evaluation provided direct evidence that SIMStation GO is suitable for the intended operational environment. In addition, SIMStation Inc. has formally certified that it is the sole-source provider for the proprietary SIMStation GO system and maintains exclusive rights to its firmware, software, and hardware configurations.

11. Determination and Recommendation Based on the market research conducted, evaluation of commercially available and internally integrated alternatives, operational testing within the NIH Clinical Center, technical requirements of the Simulation Program, and SIMStation Inc.'s documented proprietary/sole-source status, SIMStation GO is determined to be the product that satisfies the required combination of technical and operational capabilities for this acquisition.

Accordingly, procurement of the SIMStation GO from SIMStation Inc. is recommended on a sole-source basis. This determination is based on the Government's identified operational requirements and market research and is not based solely on brand preference or acquisition price.

Supporting Documentation SIMStation Inc. Sole Source Letter to NIH, dated August 31, 2026.

SIMStation GO Preliminary Market Comparison, NIH Clinical Center Simulation Program.

CIS Secure / Intelligent Video Solutions VALT Video Server and ROAM Mobile Solution Quote CIS-Q-00846, dated July 17, 2024.

FedPoint Systems LLC / Pavion AV Base Upgrade Quote, dated September 25, 2025.

NIH Clinical Center Simulation Program

SIMStation GO Sole Source Justification | NIH Clinical Center