Evaluation of an Environmental Management Training Tool (EMTT) to Establish Physiological Pacing Strategies in Extreme Environments.

This is a notice of intent to issue an award on the basis of other than full and open competition in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 only one responsible source and no other supplies of services will satisfy agency requirements.

The US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to issue a single source award to University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, McGill Hall – HHP, Missoula, MT 59812. The total award amount is estimated to be $1,294,534.00.  The requirement is to conduct a series of experiments to assess and improve the performance of the pacing algorithms. Three experiments are envisioned:

1) A laboratory study to examine the effect of fitness level on pacing guidance;

2) A field study in the (flat terrain load carriage) heat to determine the effects of the EMTT pacing tool on ruck march performance and associated physiological responses and the impact of EMTT as an acute educational tool to optimize pacing strategies (minimizing heat strain relative to pace).

3) A field study in the heat that includes the addition of complex, varied terrain with the EMTT pacing tool. The final methods for this field trial will be developed after completion of the initial field trial to optimize study design and sample size needs.

Additionally, the Contractor shall provide intellectual assistance in research design and conduct, to include all data collected and a comprehensive final report that could be in the form of a peer-reviewed scientific publication or multiple publications with detailed appendices separate from quarterly and final reports as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

OBJECTIVES/TASKS: 

Objective 1 (Phase 1 – pacing algorithm development)

Contractor shall obtain University of Montana IRB protocol approval (Milestone 1).

Contractor shall recruit two groups of 10-12 male test participants. The moderately trained group will have maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) of 38-48 ml/kg and the highly trained group will have VO2 peak > 55 ml/kg/min.

Contractor shall conduct initial baseline testing to include measuring VO2 peak, 1.5 mile run, and an initial evaluation chamber trial (60 min @ 3.5 mph, 5% grade; 35˚C, 40% RH) to collect continuous thermal strain metrics (heart rate, skin and core temperature) (Milestone 2).
 

Using the thermal strain – metabolic load (pace) relationship for each participant, Contractor will conduct 120 minute trials in the same environment, where half of each group (moderately trained, higher trained) will utilize EMTT pacing and the other will “self-pace”. Measures for thermal strain will be continuously measured throughout each trial and a 2x2 factorial ANOVA (group – low fit vs. high fit; trial – EMTT paced vs. control) will be used to examine differences in thermal strain between the groups at 30 minute intervals (Milestone 3).

Contractor will conduct a seasonal field study consisting of three road marches (11.3 km loaded (14kg) flat terrain road march). Study participants of varied initial aerobic fitness (14 moderately and 14 higher trained) will complete three of the loaded road marches in hot conditions (30-35 ˚C, 20% RH). For the first two loaded road marches, one group (n=7 from each fitness class) will be equipped with a real time physiological status monitoring (RT-PSM) device and integrated smartphone app that provides basic information (current physiological state, distance travelled) (CON). The second group (n=7 from each fitness class) will be equipped with a RT-PSM) device and integrated smartphone app that provides basic information (current physiological state, distance travelled) in addition to an automated pacing guidance algorithm (INT). The final loaded road march will be completed on the same course under similar environmental conditions. The RT-PSM system will be used to collect continuous physiological strain data but participants will be blind to the data and the pacing templates. Thermal-work strain (core body temperature, skin temperature, and heart rate) and loaded road march completion time will be used to examine ruck march performance. A 2x2 factorial ANOVA (group – low fit vs. high fit; trial – EMTT (INT vs. CON) will examine differences in thermal strain between the groups (CON and INT) at 30-minute intervals with a covariate of completion time (Milestone 4).

Contractor shall provide quarterly reports (Deliverable 2) (Milestones 2-4) and one final report (Deliverable 4/Exhibit A - CDRL) (Milestones 2-4). Contractor shall provide USARIEM with raw data from outcome measures for all experiments.
 

Objective 2 (Phase 2 – pacing algorithm validation)

Based on the findings of the year 1 field trials, Contractor shall perform a field study to include the combination of load carriage, hot environmental conditions and varied mountainous terrain. This may include subtle changes in altitude and/or varied levels of ambient heat. (Milestone 5).

This is not a formal solicitation or request for quote. This synopsis of intent is to give notice of the Government's intent to make a sole source award. Contractors who can provide USAMRAA with the required services are invited to electronically submit an affirmative, written response indicating a bona fide ability to meet this specific requirement. Responses should appear on company letterhead and include, at minimum, affirmation of active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), your Data Universal qualifications, and any applicable pricing data or information. All responses should include a point of contact, telephone number, and electronic mail address. Additionally, respondents should indicate whether they are a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) concern, women-owned small business, HUBZone, service disabled veteran-owned small business, or qualify as socially or economically disadvantaged and whether they are U.S. or foreign owned. Responses to this notice will be used to determine the availability of this type of service. All responsible sources may respond to this synopsis and all responses will be considered by the agency.
 

Responses should be furnished electronically to flodean.p.billings.civ@mail.mil no later than 10:00AM Eastern Standard Time, 14 August 2020.