NASA ARC Solicitation: Compact Instrumentation – Biomedical Diagnostics
COMPACT INSTRUMENTATION FOR CREWMEMBER BIOMEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR SPACE EXPLORATION MISSIONS
Synopsis – Dec 22, 2014
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNA14122214L
Posted Date: Dec 22, 2014
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Dec 22, 2014
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Jan 30, 2015
Current Response Date: Jan 30, 2015
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 measure common biomedical diagnostic parameters typically performed on blood or urine samples on space exploration missions.
For this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is seeking detailed information regarding compact technologies currently available that can analyze a biological fluid, ideally using a single device. The specific measurements to be determined from a given biological fluid consist of six measurement panels that include blood chemistries, dissolved gases, biomolecules and cells (see table below). The anticipated analytical system is easy to use, where the performed measurements are highly automated and derived from minimal amounts of biological sample. Furthermore, the technology should minimize consumables and waste, where reagents and/or disposables can ultimately meet an ambient environment shelf life of 36 months. The mass and volume restrictions shall promote a portable, stand-alone device that is soft stowed and operates in a microgravity environment.
Crew Exploration Measurement Panels Panel Measurements are as follows: Basic Metabolic Panel: Glucose, Ionized Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Total Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine Venous Blood Gases: Partial Pressure Oxygen (PaO2), Partial Pressure Carbon Dioxide (PaCO2), Saturated Oxygen (SaO2), Bicarbonate (HCO3), pH Cardiac Panel: Troponin I Hematology: White Blood Cell Count, Red Blood Cell Count, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, Neutrophils (%), Absolute Neutrophils Count, Lymphocytes (%), Monocytes (%), Eosinophils (%), Platelets Liver Panel: Albumin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Urinalysis: Specific Gravity, pH, Leucocytes, Nitrites, Proteins, Glucose, Ketones, Urobilirubin, Bilirubin, Blood
Additional background information may be found at:
https://humanresearchwiki.jsc.nasa.gov/index.php?title=4.05
Information Requested – System Description, Operation and Capabilities as follows:
Information is being requested on key technical aspects of a compact, biomedical diagnostics system available for analyzing a biological sample, performing space exploration specific measurements, and storing/transmitting data upon completion of analysis. Stowage of the analyzer and peripherals is anticipated to be in the exploration medical kit, which places constraints on the mass and volume of the instrument. In addition, information is being requested on the prospects for the technology’s ability to operate in a microgravity environment.
1. Measurements Minimum diagnostic capability that provides the measurements as described above, are necessary for space exploration medicine. Information regarding the developed and/or validated (clinical use) measurements is an indication of the maturity level of the technology. A description and/or referencing of the instrumentation performance parameters (e.g. reference intervals, dynamic range, accuracy, precision, etc.), if available, indicates the readiness level of the technology. Notifications for measured parameters that fall outside nominal limits that are provided by the instrument is also requested. Additional information is requested for measurement panels under development or planned in the near future to provide insight on assay maturation timelines, and potential expansion of the technology to accommodate new assay development. 2. Consumables and Reagents In an effort to minimize the mass, volume and stowage constraints onboard exploration vehicles, the use of consumables to provide exploration biomedical measurements is a concern. These items include sample collection, fluid handling and sample processing (i.e. cartridges) tools. Information regarding the volume of a consumable to perform a given measurement or measurement panel is requested. A description of any liquid reagents needed to operate the system is requested as well. 3. Power Provide a description of the power requirements of the instrument. 4. Operability Provide a brief description on the operation of the instrument, including the need for maintenance and calibrations. 5. Data Output and Communication Provide a description of the data output and any data storage and distribution including applicable communication standards and interfaces. 6. Shelf Life Provide a description of shelf life and operational life, any special storage requirements of instrument or reagents and consumables. 7. Mass and Volume Provide a description of the mass, size, and dimensions of the instrument. 8. Microgravity The intended analytical instrument is to be operated in a space environment where gravity is no longer a major force influencing fluid flow. Information on the prospects for instrument performance (microfluidics, in particular) in this environment is requested to determine the feasibility of the technology under microgravity conditions. Also, the containment of fluids will be important and strategies for containment may be addressed, if the instrument does not operate a closed fluidic system.
The objectives of the current RFI are as follows: A. Gather information from industry, government and academia on currently available technologies that can be used in a space clinical laboratory setting to determine the measurement panels listed above using a single device or suite of compact integrated devices.
B. Gather information from industry, government and academia on the specifications and capabilities of such technologies.
C. Obtain information to help guide future technology development needs and investments for the Agency.
For the compact instrumentation being supplied to this RFI, 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 Instrumentation for Crewmember Biomedical Diagnostics for Space Exploration Missions, RFI # NNA14122214L.
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 officer, rhonda.f.labron@nasa.gov with an email posting date not later than January 30, 2015.
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 the following website: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eis/admin/admin.cgi?center=ARC
Point of Contact
Name: Rhonda F LaBron
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 650-604-4685
Fax: 650-604-4984
Email: Rhonda.F.LaBron@nasa.gov
