Notice of Intent to Sole Source DePhy EB-51 ExoBoots

This notice announces the intent by the U.S. Army Medical Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), 820 Chandler St, Fort Detrick, Maryland, 21702, to award a sole source contract to Synopsis Inc. under the statutory authority 13.501(a). This contract is for the rental of 3 DePhy EB-51 ExoBoots for use at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM). The Military Performance Division at USARIEM conducts research to optimize soldier performance under all conditions. Exoskeletons are emerging as tools that aid in physical performance enhancement, and have demonstrated utility in reducing energy costs during loaded marching, which allow the Soldier to conserve energy for when they act on an objective. DePhy Exoboots have been studied as part of a contract with CCDC regarding their ability to decrease energy cost of walking while walking with and without a load, as well as at different grades. These tests have not been published as the information was collected as part of a contract and using low numbers (n=6), which brings caution to the results due to being underpowered for statistical analysis. Currently USARIEM lacks the capability to perform test on exoskeletons due to lack of access to such devices. We are seeking to rent these exoskeletons in order to continue in the exoskeleton line of research, and extend this line of research by examining additional military physical performance tasks and to assess whether performance improvements also concurrently increase injury risk. The exoskeletons must be able to operate in a windows-based system. DePhy, Inc., is the only reasonable source that can provide the required supplies of a single joint, fully autonomous, exoskeleton which augments power at the ankle during walking. An award will be issued on a sole source basis. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 316210 and the size standard is 1,000. This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.102(a)(6) and 5.203(a). USAMRAA intends to award a contract no sooner than 15 days after publishing this synopsis. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. 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 expiration date listed in this notice, which reflects at least fifteen (15) days after the publication of this notice, the award will be issued as sole source. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Mr. Christopher L. Cook at [email protected] .