Commparison of Ultrasound & Magentic Resonance Imaging Technologies to Quantify Changes in the Vertebral Unit as a Result of Spaceflight
Synopsis – Aug 07, 2009
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNJ09305368L
Posted Date: Aug 07, 2009
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Aug 07, 2009
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Aug 13, 2009
Current Response Date: Aug 13, 2009
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BH
Description
NASA/JSC is hereby soliciting information about potential sources for the generation of a report and protocol to utilize ultrasound on the International Space Station (ISS) to quantify changes in cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal column including the intervertebral disks, facet joints, bony structures, ligaments, tendons, and musculature (vertebral unit). It is required that the report compare ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies in order to validate the capability of the proposed protocol. NASA is interested in characterizing changes in the vertebral unit during long-duration spaceflight in order to describe and assign a mission and health risk for back pain and injury for crewmembers. Reports of back pain in-flight and post flight, and incidents of herniated disks post flight are thought to be related to changes in the spine as a result of unloading. Changes in disk volume and muscular deconditioning of the trunk could potentially increase the stress on the spine on return to normal gravitational loading, and increase the risk of injury. Ultrasound is the imaging technology available in-flight on the ISS. However, it is unknown if ultrasound technology is adequate to quantify changes in the vertebral unit.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offeror’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.
Interested offerors/vendors having the required specialized capabilities to meet the above requirement should submit a capability statement of 5 pages or less indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort described herein.
Responses must include the following: name and address of firm, size of business; average annual revenue for past 3 years and number of employees; ownership; whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned; number of years in business; affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customers covering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed, contract numbers, contract type, dollar value of each procurement; and point of contact – address and phone number). Technical and procurement related questions should be directed to: ann.e.bronson@nasa.gov.
Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in FAR 2.101.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement.
The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All responses shall be submitted in writing to ann.e.bronson@nasa.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. local time on August 13, 2009. Please reference NNJ09305368L in any response. Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact
Name: Ann E. Bronson
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-483-9889
Fax: 281-244-5331
Email: ann.e.bronson@nasa.gov
Name: Perry L Mueller
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 281-483-7158
Fax: 281-244-0995
Email: Perry.l.mueller@nasa.gov
