NASA Ames RFI: Compact Technology to Detect Health-related Biomarkers or Analytes in Space

NASA Ames RFI: Compact Technology to Detect Health-related Biomarkers or Analytes in Space

Synopsis – Mar 06, 2012

General Information

Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: NNA12030612L
Posted Date: Mar 06, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Mar 06, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Mar 21, 2012
Current Response Date: Mar 21, 2012
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001

Description

NASA Ames Research Center is exploring the state-of-the-art in technologies to detect health-related biomarkers/analytes in space. For this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is seeking detailed information regarding compact technologies currently available that can analyze health-related biomarkers/analytes in breath, saliva, dermal emanations, blood, and urine using a single compact device. The specific biomarkers/analytes to be detected are currently under evaluation by NASA, but include a broad range of molecules and cells associated with health status, impact of the space environment on individual astronauts, and prediction of future health events. Analyses and analytes of interest include cell profiles, proteins and peptides, and small organic molecules.

The objectives of the current RFI are as follows:

A. Gather information from industry on currently available technologies that can be used to detect health-related analytes in the sample types listed above using a single compact integrated device.

B. Gather information from industry on the specifications and capabilities of such technologies.

C. Obtain information to help guide future technology development needs and investments for the Agency.

If a single compact technology is currently available that can detect health-related biomarkers/analytes in breath plus any one of the following additional sample types (saliva, dermal emanations, blood, or urine), answers to the following specific questions are of interest to the government: 1. Which sample types currently are analyzable using the instrument? 2. Which analytes are currently analyzable using this instrument? 3. What is the minimum detection limit for each analyte? 4. What is the weight of the device? 5. What are the dimensions of the device? 6. What are the power requirements of the device?

Note: NASA is seeking responses regarding fully functioning devices (full integrated systems) that are currently available, developed to at least the advanced prototype stage. NASA is not seeking information about conceptual designs or individual component technologies that have not yet been integrated into a single device.

RESPONSES:

This section contains all of the information required to submit a response. No additional forms or other materials are required. NASA solicits and appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources. Submittals should meet the following format:

Section 1 – A non-proprietary cover page that identifies:

a. RFI Title: Compact Technology to Detect Health-Related Biomarkers or Analytes in Space, RFI # NNA12030612L.

b. Name of your organization.

c. Responder’s technical and administrative points of contact which includes names, titles, postal and email addresses, phone number, and website (if applicable).

d. Description of your business/ organization/ educational institution: Include size of business based on NAICS code 541712 (R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), whether your company is large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, veteran-owned and/or woman-owned; number of employees, number of years in business. Describe any collaboration or teaming arrangements with other organizations that might be used in order to provide the necessary expertise contained in this RFI.

Section 2 – Detailed and succinct answers to each of the six applicable questions listed above, along with any additional information deemed to be relevant and useful, including photographs and/or drawings of the instrument, or other data as applicable.

Section 3 – A description of your organization’s capabilities and past experience applicable to the RFI content.

Responses are limited to a maximum of 3 pages for Sections 2 and 3 (Section 1 (cover page) is not included in the page count) and should be emailed to the contracting officers, Robin.L.Wong@nasa.gov, and Marianne.Shelley@nasa.gov with an email posting date not later than March 21, 2012.

ARC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including Small, Small Disadvantaged (SDB), 8(a), Woman-owned (WOSB), Veteran Owned (VOSB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SD-VOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) businesses, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Woman-owned (WOSB), Service Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses hereto.

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.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes, subject to FAR provision 52.215-3, entitled “Request for Information or Solicitation for 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. Although all information received will be carefully reviewed and considered for inclusion in a later action, the initiators of this request make no commitment to include any particular concept or approach. NASA ARC is issuing this RFI to gain a better understanding of industry/ academic capabilities and to assess the current state of the technology.

NASA intends to use the results of this market research to aid in the making of final acquisition decisions. Any future procurement resulting from this RFI is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.

Following this initial feedback, NASA may conduct one-on-one meetings with organizations that have provided information in response to this request. These meetings will allow for exchange of information and will provide an opportunity for the Government to obtain a better understanding of the state of the technology.

All information received in response to this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled and protected accordingly. As applicable, NASA may provide Proprietary information to its support service contractors who are under an obligation to keep third-party Proprietary information in confidence. By submitting a response to this RFI, the responder is deemed to have consented to release of Proprietary information to such NASA support service contractors.

Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in FAR 2.101.

Information about major upcoming ARC procurement actions is available at http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eis/admin/admin.cgi?center=ARC

Point of Contact

Name: Marianne Shelley
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 650-604-4179
Fax: 650-604-3020
Email: marianne.shelley@nasa.gov

Name: Robin L Wong
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 650-604-4636
Fax: 650-604-3020
Email: robin.l.wong@nasa.gov