Sources Sought for Human Performance Test Facility

THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC) is issuing this Sources Sought Synopsis as a means of conducting market research or as a market survey to determine the availability of potential qualified vendors (including educational institutions) with the technical capability to provide all facilities, management, supervision, administration, and labor for the “Human Performance Test Facility” (HPTF), a human performance experimentation and simulation project established under NRC contract numbers NRC-HQ-12-C-04-0058 and NRC-HQ-60-17-E-0001. The objective of the HPTF is to conduct research to assess the impact of new and existing nuclear power plant (NPP) main control room (MCR) designs on human performance using human-in-the-loop experimental techniques. The conceptual and technical experimental design, parameters, and procedures will be based on NRC input and subject to agency review and approval. To meet the objectives of the HPTF program, the vendor will host a government furnished simulator and carry out data collection, including any necessary pilot testing. Project deliverables will include cleaned and raw datasets, data cleaning documentation, analysis process, analysis reporting (e.g., analysis codebook), and any relevant reports and presentations. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes assigned to this procurement is 541720, Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities, and/or 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for sources and vendor information does not constitute a request for proposal; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES (if applicable): The vendor site shall use the government furnished simulator and its own existing experimental infrastructure (e.g., personnel, equipment, facilities) to conduct the experiments. The research conducted by the vendor is expected to produce nuclear-specific human performance data that evaluates the impact that new designs, technologies, and concepts of operations have on human performance. The vendor shall provide all necessary qualified personnel to conduct this research. The vendor shall demonstrate that existing infrastructure meets or exceeds the below requirements: Ability to conduct research that is compliant with 45 CFR Part 46: Protection of Human Subjects also referred to as the Common Rule through the following: review and approval of the research from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), as defined and described in the Common Rule (45 CFR Part 46); and informed consent, as defined and described in the Common Rule, from the human research subject. Facility specifications that are appropriate for the simulator equipment and allow for ecological valid research (e.g., space for participants to move around the simulated control room) and sufficient space for safety of equipment, staff, and research participants (e.g., room for ventilation and cooling systems). For example, sufficient space to contain 2 PC workstations and wall mount eight 27” touchscreen monitors in a 2 x 4 grid (spanning approximately 100” wide x 30” tall) and allow the participant to move freely about the room. Human-in-the-Ioop experimental testbed(s) capabilities that can be easily configured to work in combination with the GSE Systems, Inc. Generic Pressurized Water Reactor (GSE GPWR) training simulator and allow for complex and realistic MCR experiments. Specifically: Possess wearable physiological human performance measurement technologies including Electroencephalography (EEG), Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultra-sonography, functional Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (fNIRS), and Electrocardiography (ECG), and eye tracking. Current capabilities to enable real time physiological data logging. Current or easily implemented ability to capture and assess chat communications between crew members. Current capabilities to monitor both primary and secondary task performance, for individuals and crews. Possess synchronization software to collect multiple types of physiological data in real time and in synchrony with the interface interaction taking place in the GSE GPWR training simulator. Possess post-hoc data processing tool(s) that allows large data sets to be organized and processed for efficient analysis. The vendor must provide a team of key personnel that as a whole possess the following qualifications: Experimentation and Simulation Conducting human-in-the-loop experiments in complex industrial or other domains Developing simulation scenarios for complex industrial domains Working with both student and non-student (e.g., operators, technical experts, etc.) research participant populations Writing technical research reports for regulatory purposes Conducting research for the purpose of producing deliverables to support the needs of a regulatory organization or agency Working with organizations and government agencies in areas central to human performance Human factors Simulation engineering Experimental psychology or related disciplines Computer software engineering Efficient and accurate measurement, collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and communication of psychological and physiological human performance data. Psychological data includes but is not limited to workload, teamwork, and situation awareness. Physiological data including but not limited to EEG, ECG, fNIRS, TCD, and eye tracking. Programming human-system interfaces Capturing/reducing data utilizing the programming languages in the provided NPP simulator (C/C++ and JAVA) If the vendor cannot demonstrate the level of formal training or experience specified above, they may submit a plan for how they will acquire the required training and experience. The preferred qualifications include nuclear domain expertise in any of the following areas: Nuclear power, electrical and heat generation Systems of a pressurized water reactor mechanical instrumentation and control protective Nuclear MCR terminology Hands-on operation of a control room simulator including experience with: use of procedures operator actions evaluation and response to normal and abnormal operating conditions Training novice populations to be proficient in performing basic tasks in a nuclear main control room (MCR) simulator Training participants with various levels of expertise (e.g., novice, trainee, expert) for experimental purposes and in the nuclear domain Using the GSE GPWR for research purposes Specifically, adapting nuclear training simulators for experimental research (e.g., ability to initiate and control simulator events, ability to capture and log all participant interactions with the interface). Key technical personnel should consist of a senior researcher, experienced junior researcher(s), and a simulation engineer. There must be a clear demonstration that personnel have the necessary expertise, education, experience, and training. Necessary expertise for each labor category is outlined below. Senior Researcher (SR): The SR must demonstrate a high level of expertise in the areas of human factors, experimental psychology or relevant discipline, human performance modeling/simulation, or human systems engineering, and must possess the credentials which qualify them to lead a multi-disciplinary team tasked with carrying out human performance research. The necessary expertise may be demonstrated by, but is not limited to, credentials such as those listed below: Ph.D. degree in a field focused on human factors, experimental psychology (or related discipline), human performance modeling/simulation, or human systems engineering. Experience leading or having key roles in projects that require knowledge of the principles, theory, and practices in the general field of human performance. Experience leading complex system simulation studies in a laboratory environment. Have led or been involved with multiple projects that used both physiological and psychological human performance measurements. Experience working with organizations and government agencies in areas central to human performance. Experience leading projects that produced customer-oriented products that have been applied to the operations of sponsoring organizations/agencies. Have led studies that involved working with student and non-student participant populations. Experience leading projects that required multi-disciplinary knowledge including human factors, cognitive/experimental psychology, and modeling and simulation. Junior Researcher (JR): The JR must demonstrate expertise in the areas of human factors, experimental psychology or relevant discipline (e.g. cognitive/social/ organizational psychology), human performance modeling/simulation, or human systems engineering along with demonstrating the ability to design and carry out simulation-based human performance experiments. The necessary expertise may be demonstrated by, but is not limited to, credentials such as those listed below: Ph.D. degree in a field focused on the principles and theories central to human factors, experimental psychology or relevant discipline, human performance modeling/simulation, or human systems engineering. Experience leading or having key roles in multiple projects that demonstrate knowledge of the principles, theory, and practices in the general field of human performance. Have been involved with multiple projects that utilized complex system simulation environments. Have been involved with one or more projects that used both physiological and psychological human performance measurements. Have performed at least one or more projects that produced customer-oriented products that have been applied to the operations of sponsoring organizations/agencies. Have performed one or more projects that involved working with student and non-student participant populations. Simulation engineer (SE): The SE must demonstrate skills in developing simulation scenarios, programming human-system interfaces, and capturing/reducing data utilizing the programming languages in the provided NPP simulator (C/C++ and JAVA). The necessary expertise may be demonstrated by, but is not limited to, credentials such as those listed below: MS or BS degree in the areas central to computer engineering/science or electric engineering. MS degree in other areas may be acceptable if there is a demonstrated equivalence to a MS degree in computer engineering. Have experience and demonstrate expertise in software design and programming in C/C++, JAVA Applications, and other software applications for graphic user interface (GUI). Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human performance measurements and human-in-the-Ioop experiments through training and work experience. Have led or played key roles in developing interfaces, test beds, and data acquisition/analysis software for human performance experiments. Have participated in projects that involved reconfiguring interfaces, developing scenarios, and implementing human performance measurements to experimental test beds for human performance experiments. The purpose of this announcement is to provide potential sources the opportunity to submit information regarding their capabilities to perform work for the NRC free of conflict of interest (COI). For information on NRC COI regulations, visit NRC Acquisition Regulation Subpart 2009.5 (http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/contracting/48cfr-ch20.html). All interested parties, including, universities or other educational institutions , all categories of small businesses (small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) firms, women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and HUBZone small businesses) are invited to submit a response. The capabilities package submitted by a vendor should demonstrate the organization’s ability, capability, and responsibility to perform the principal components of work listed above. The package should also include past performance/experience regarding projects of similar scope listing the project title, general description, the dollar value of the contract, and name of the company, agency, or government entity for which the work was performed. Organizations responding to this market survey should keep in mind that only focused and pertinent information is requested. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. Submission of additional materials such as glossy brochures or videos is discouraged. HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE If your organization has the capability and capacity to perform, as a prime contractor, one or more of the services described in this notice, then please respond to this notice and provide written responses to the following information. Please do not include any proprietary or otherwise sensitive information in the response, and do not submit a proposal. Proposals submitted in response to this notice will not be considered. Organization name, address, emails address, Web site address and telephone number. What size is your organization with respect to NAICS code identified in this notice (i.e., "small" or "other than small")? If your organization is a small business under the aforementioned NAICS code, what type of small business (i.e., small disadvantaged business, woman-owned small business, economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 8(a), or HUBZone small business)? Specify all that apply. Demonstrate access to a Human Research Protection Program and IRB and experience working with projects that were conducted in compliance with 45 CFR Part 46: Protection of Human Subjects also referred to as the Common Rule. Demonstrate facility capability to meet the requirements to house the simulator (as detailed in the notice). Demonstrate existing human-in-the-loop experimental testbeds that can be easily configured to work in combination with the nuclear simulator for more complex experiments using the GSE GPWR. Demonstrate availability of key personnel with the qualifications listed above. There must be a clear demonstration that personnel have the necessary expertise, education, experience, and training. If there is not the necessary expertise currently, provide a plan for gaining the required expertise. Separately and distinctly describe how your organization meets each of the capability requirements specified in this Sources Sought Notice. Please also provide the contract number, contract type, customer name, address and point of contact phone number and email address, contract value, thorough description of supplies and services included in the scope of that contract, indication of how they differ from the required capabilities described in this notice, period of performance (for services) or delivery date (for products), and any other relevant information. Indicate whether your organization offers any of the required capabilities described in this notice on one or more of your company's own Federal Government contracts (i.e., GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract or Government wide Acquisition Contracts) that the NRC could order from and, if so, which services are offered. Also, provide the contract number(s) and indicate what is currently available for ordering from each of those contract(s). Is your organization currently performing or have in the past performed same or similar services as those listed above for any of the licensees regulated by the NRC? If so, which licensees? See http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/licensing.html for more information on NRC licensing. Has your organization previously faced organizational conflict of interest issues with NRC? If so, what were they and how were they mitigated or resolved? Interested organizations responding to this Sources Sought Synopsis are encouraged to structure capability statements in the order of the area of consideration noted above. All capability statements shall not exceed 10 pages in length and shall be submitted electronically, via e-mail, to Emarsha Whitt, at [email protected], in either MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), within 7days from the date of publication of this updated notice. DISCLAIMER AND NOTES : Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s potential capability and capacity to perform the subject work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.