AN41--*NEW* 612-22-3-342-0364 App-based digital training tools (DTTs) - NeuroUX_CHEN A (VA-21-00099879)

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 21, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, with Playpower Labs Neuro UX for design and development services in the creation of digital training tools (DTTs) for VA merit project RX003141-01A1, Strengthening neuro-cognitive skills for success in school, work, and beyond. The contractor will help design, develop and optimize DTTs as a necessary step toward conducting a clinical trial of a technology-augmented approach to neurocognitive skills training for Veterans with brain injury. The Contractor will provide design and development services culminating in the creation of DTTs that provide digital augmentation of training and education. The first intervention tool (GSR-DTT) will be based upon an existing functioning prototype and extant code base written in ActionScript and implemented in Adobe Air. The GSR-DTT forms a core component of the experimental intervention under study (i.e., GSR training); it will provide systematic opportunities to practice skill use via gamified cognitive challenges that unfold within a narrative arc. It will further incorporate elements of skill instruction and individualized feedback across multiple metrics, including, crucially, the impact of skill uses on behavioral performance. The contractor is also responsible for developing means for these data to be queried, analyzed, and visualized to augment person-to-person training based upon a priori specifications. Playpower labs was the only vendor identified with critical expertise in cognitive neuroscience and met all of the critical requirements listed below. Specializes in and has prior experience working on neuroscience-based training and research projects, including supporting clinical trials. Background and familiarity with neuroscience principles, especially translating these principles into gamified learning experiences that takes into account both measurement and training needs which is critical to the success of the project. Expertise with the design and implementation of remote cognitive assessments, real-time data sampling (that is, querying and measuring data from individuals in ecologically valid, every day settings and environments) and the integration of psychophysiological measurements into the software they design. Background and familiarity with cognitive neuroscience, and the integration of these principles into digital tools. Background and familiarity with designing, developing and deploying digital training tools, including gamified learning experiences; Background and familiarity with conducting clinical trials; Background and familiarity with the design, development, and implementation of digital assessment tools, including measurement of cognition and cognitive processes, integrating psychophysiological measurements into their software, and making use of real-time experience sampling. Background and familiarity with the remote implementation of assessment tools. Documented experience with designing and developing digital training tools in the form of learning/educational software, including gamified learning experiences in complex digital scenarios with rehabilitation goals; Documented experience designing and developing digital learning/educational software that are directly grounded in cognitive neuroscience principles with clear training goals; Documented experience with the design, development, and integration of digital assessment tools into software that are sensitive enough to detect longitudinal changes to cognition and cognitive processes over training; Documented experience with the design, development and integration of real-time experience sampling into digital learning/educational software; Documented experience with the design, development and integration of psychophysiological monitoring and feedback mechanisms into digital learning/educational software; Documented experience with the implementation of software to conduct remote assessments, real-time experience sampling, and psychophysiological measurements; Documented experience with integrating motivational design principles and reinforcement mechanisms into digital experiences to promote user engagement and behavioral change; Documented experience collaborating with researchers to successfully implement software to conduct intervention research and clinical trials; Documented experience designing and developing learning/educational software for clinical and specialty populations, especially individuals with neurologic conditions that affect learning (such as brain injury), over a wide age range, in order to successfully address an audience that will include Veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; Documented experience collaborating with government-funded research entities on the successfully completed design, production, and implementation of educational/learning software; Documented experience with the design, development, and integration of animated tutorials into educational/learning software to facilitate acquisition and application of a target skill within the context of the digital environment; Experience and familiarity with designing digital training to be integrated with coaching and therapist guidance. Documented experience with the design, development and integration of data-driven feedback into training to facilitate learning objectives. This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotes; however, any responsible source who can meet the requirements listed above may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than August 30th, 7am, EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Lynn Portman at contact@example.gov. Capability statement must demonstrate and describe how the vendor meets all the requirements listed in this notice. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.