Behavior science study in support of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Strategic Studies Group.

The proposed action is for the development of revolutionary naval warfare concepts through continued testing of behavioral movement analysis as an analytic tool to predict human decision-making style by applying existing results to current and former world leaders. The applicability of this research to military team dynamics will also be evaluated. The current phase of research continues to examine how movement analysis, and one model in particular, Movement Pattern Analysis (MPA) may indicate predictive associations to behavioral decision making and leadership style assessment. The next step in the overall MPA research is to use Resting-State, Functional Connectivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fcMRI) to examine the hypothesis that there is a definable neurobiology that underlies decision making style and MPA, and that the strength of brain connectivity of two different prefrontal brain systems can successfully differentiate between the two groups of subjects (high assertion versus high perspective).

Specifically, the project, entitled Analytical Potential of Non Verbal Communication Behavior (APNVCB), will test the hypothesis that the strength of brain connections with the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in comparison with stronger brain connections with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Rs-fcMRI will be performed on 12 military subjects previously studied with MPA and who have undergone targeted tests of DMS. The results will be analyzed to determine the strength of connectivity in these subjects with particular focus on the dorsolateral and the ventromedial prefrontal cortices. Correlation analysis will be conducted on the rs-fcMRI findings with respect to the subjects’ MPA prediction and actual performance on the DMS task.





The Government intends to solicit only one source, Massachusetts General Hospital. The following statute permits contracting on a sole source basis for this requirement, 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or to submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received after the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Information received as a result of this notice of intent will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

All responses may be emailed to nicholas.milillo@navy.mil. The Government will not pay for information received. For additional information concerning this requirement, please contact Nicholas Milillo at 215-697-0321.