The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a pre-solicitation notice for a requirement titled, - Human Performance Experimentation using Simulated Nuclear Power Plant Control Rooms. The objective of this contract is to conduct laboratory research that informs the assessment of new Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) designs, human-system interfaces (HIS), and concepts of operation and their impact on human performance. The NRC and the contractor will work together as co-investigators to design and conduct human-in-the-loop experiments. The contractor site shall use the NRC-provided simulator (unless vendor has furnished software) and/or their existing technical infrastructure (e.g., personnel, equipment, facilities) to implement the experiments. This research is expected to produce human performance data specific to the impact that new designs, technologies, and concepts of operations on human performance in the nuclear domain. The information gained will be utilized by the NRC to enhance the technical basis for the NRC's regulatory guidance in human factors engineering. As the staff identifies specific topic areas (e.g., automatic, optimizing team performance in digital control rooms, use of AR/VR technology) that require human performance research, the NRC will issue task order statements of work that specify objectives, scope, specific deliverables, schedules, and any other requirements. If necessary, the NRC will provide the contractor with an NPP simulator and simulator installation. The contractor shall provide the personnel, facilities, and additional existing equipment required to accomplish the objectives of each task order. Upon issuance of task order requests by the NRC, the contractor shall perform work that falls within the following categories: 1) Host and Maintain Simulator (if necessary) 2) Develop Human-in-the-Loop Experiments 3) Perform Human Performance Data Collection and Management 4) Perform Data Analysis 5) Develop Presentation and Communication Materials The contractor shall provide a team of key personnel with: 1) formal training or experience related to nuclear control room operations and nuclear engineering concepts through training, classes, and/or work experience. 2) experience in each of the following: - Conducting human-in-the-loop experiments in the nuclear domain - Developing simulation scenarios for the nuclear domain - Training novice populations to be proficient in performing basic tasks in a nuclear main control room simulator - Writing technical research reports for regulatory purposes - Conducting research for purposes of producing products to support the needs of a regulatory organization or agency. - Working with both student and non-student (e.g., operators, technical experts, etc.) participant populations - Training participants with various levels of expertise (e.g., novice, trainee, expert) for experimental purposes and in the nuclear domain - Using the GSE GPWR or the contractor's simulation resources for research purposes. o 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). - Working with organizations and government agencies in areas central to human performance. 3) knowledge, skills, and expertise in each of the following: - Human factors - Simulation engineering - Experimental psychology or relevant discipline (cognitive/social/organizational psychology) - Computer software engineering - Efficient and accurate measuring, collecting, managing, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating psychological and physiological human performance data o Psychological data includes but is not limited to workload, teamwork, and situation awareness o Physiological data includes Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrocardiography (ECG), functional Near Infra-Red (fNIR), Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultra-sonography, and eye tracking o Programming human-system interfaces o Capturing/reducing data utilizing the programming languages in the provided NPP simulator (C/C++ and JAVA) - Document and software accessibility. The contractor shall demonstrate that its existing infrastructure meets or exceeds the below requirements: 1. Ability to ensure that the research is conducted in compliance with 45 CFR Part 46: Protection of Human Subjects also referred to as the Common Rule. 2. Have existing human-in-the-Ioop experimental testbeds that can be easily configured to work in combination with a nuclear simulator for more complex experiments (e.g., testbed allowing chat communication between crew members; testbed configured for nuclear-relevant secondary task). The testbeds shall have accurate data-logging systems that allow real-time monitoring and analysis of performance. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the services required is 541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The Government intends to issue Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 31310022R0012 which will be posted on, or about, the week of March 8, 2022 as full and open competition under FAR Part 12. Closing date for receipt of proposals will be on, or about, 30 days thereafter. RFP No. 31310022R0012 will be distributed solely through the SAM.gov website, https://sam.gov, and FedConnect.net. All future information about this acquisition, including solicitation, and amendments will also be distributed solely through the SAM.gov website and FedConnect.net. Hard copies of the solicitation document and its related documents, as appropriate, will not be available. Because this RFP will be posted on this website, interested parties are instructed NOT to call, send letters, e-mails or faxes requesting the RFP. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the SAM.gov website to assure that they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any cost associated with responding to this business opportunity. Offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) database to receive a government contract award. In accordance with FAR 4.1102, offerors are required to be registered in SAM.GOV at the time an offer or quotation is submitted to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements. Note: Update SAM profile to include all applicable NAICS Codes associated with your company. Offerors may register for SAM online at www.sam.gov or by calling
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