Medical Evacuation During Sustained Acceleration (MEDUSA): Validating Critical Care During Simulated Point-to-Point Spaceflight

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

This notice announces the intent by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the United States Air Force (USAF) 59th Medical Wing (59th MDW), Science and Technology Office located at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland Air Force Base, Texas to negotiate on a sole source basis in accordance with (IAW) FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(A), Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition, with KBR Wyle Services, LLC (KBR) located at KBR Science & Space Centrifuge, 2485 Gillingham Drive San Antonio, TX 78235  as the only responsible source that can provide research and development services for the Phase II study titled “Medical Evacuation During Sustained Acceleration (MEDUSA): Validating Critical Care During Simulated Point-to-Point Spaceflight.”

The intent for the follow-on Phase II requirement is to determine the impacts of sustained acceleration on the hemodynamics on a swine model of critical care medical evacuation. The study requires use of large centrifuge rated for animal research. The KBR centrifuge is the only large, research centrifuge in the United States capable of supporting advanced animal research and simulating the flight conditions required by the research protocol.

The Phase II study will continue the collaboration between KBR and the 59th MDW. This Phase II study will take the significant insight gained about medical equipment performance in Phase I and introduce a critical care animal model.

The study is a complex project that builds upon the current research team’s prior Phase I study titled “MEDUSA1” to introduce a critical care animal model during Phase II. This research will be foundational to Department of Defense (DoD) capability to use vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) commercial spacecraft for the movement of ill or injured patients.

KBR Wyle Services is the only source that can provide the required services in both a cost-effective and timely way. Award to any other source would result in duplication of costs to the Government and delay moving from Phase I to Phase II of the study. KBR Wyle Services, in collaboration with the 59th Medical Wing completed the Phase I study in December 2023. In order to maintain integrity of the data and continuity of research, the Phase II study must be completed by KBR Wyle Services and its Phase I collaborators.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 541715,  Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except. Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and the PSC Code is AN12, Health R&D Services, Health Care Services, Applied Research.

This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.102(a)(3) and 5.203(a). USAMRAA intends to publish a solicitation no sooner than 15 days after publishing this synopsis. This Special Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Any source that believes they are capable of providing these services must respond in writing. Responses must be supported with clear and convincing evidence articulating the ability to provide the items outlined above. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects at least fifteen (15) days after the publication of this notice, the solicitation will be issued as a sole source requirement to KBR Wyle Services, LLC.

All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Mr. Brandon Clingan at james.b.clingan.civ@health.mil  and Mr. Jeremy L. McMurry at Jeremy.l.mcmurry.civ@health.mil. Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above e-mail address no later than 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 7 June 2024.