Helmet Integration of Thera Tactics Enhanced Pulse Oximeter
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The United States Department of the Navy, through the Naval Medical Research Command, intends to award a sole-source contract to Thera Tactics, Inc. of Tahoma, CA, for the helmet integration of its Enhanced Pulse Oximeter system, identified under solicitation number N3239826Q4439. This procurement is driven by the need to enhance real-time physiological monitoring of aviators in tactical aircraft, particularly to detect and mitigate physiological episodes caused by hypoxia and other stressors. Thera Tactics is the exclusive provider of this proprietary forehead-mounted pulse oximeter, which uses a patented measurement methodology targeting the supra-orbital capillary bed supplied by the internal carotid artery, offering superior accuracy over traditional finger-based sensors in high-G, high-vibration, and hypoxia-prone flight environments. The device has undergone extensive benchtop, manned, and in-flight validation on Navy platforms including the T-45, F-18, and F-35, and has passed critical environmental testing under MIL-STD-810G, EMI, and windblast conditions to ensure airworthiness and reliability. Integration into existing and next-generation aviation helmets is a key requirement, with the system designed to deliver real-time heart rate, blood oxygenation, and environmental data while incorporating correction factors for altitude and signal quality indicators to ensure actionable data under operational stress. The contract, classified under NAICS code 339112, will be awarded without competition based on the unique, patent-protected nature of the technology and Thera Tactics’ exclusive capability to provide the system, maintenance, and service. No other vendor offers a comparable solution that has been validated for military aviation use, making this a justified sole-source acquisition under federal procurement guidelines. To be eligible for award, all potential contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), both of which are mandatory prerequisites with no exceptions. The estimated contract value is not disclosed, but the Contracting Officer will perform a price analysis to ensure the final negotiated cost is fair and reasonable, with the expectation of a discount from the vendor’s commercial price list. Performance will be centered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and while delivery schedules, payment terms, and inspection protocols are not specified, compliance with military standards and the device’s proven operational readiness form the foundation for acceptance. The opportunity is open for non-responses to be considered, but award is anticipated solely to Thera
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Wright Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
The United States Department of the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) intends to award a sole source contract to, Thera Tactics, Inc. in Tahoma, CA. This requirement is for authorized approved vendors to provide prototype development for brand name equipment. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals however If interested Government shall consider all responses.
The Naval Medical Research Unit - Dayton (NAMRU-D) is seeking to incorporate wearable physiological monitoring systems into tactical aircraft for real-time and post-flight analysis of aviator physiological status. This has been done by assessing sensors proposed for use in aircraft and in investigating putative causes of PEs. Both tasks require specialized capability for accurate and fast response and real-time analysis of blood oxygenation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) across various flight profiles and aircraft types as part of the initiative to address, identify, and mitigate PEs through the use of various aircrew physiological monitors.
As part of this initiative, Thera Tactics holds a patent in their blood oxygenation measurement methodology, and has previously been contracted with NAVAIR and NAMRU-D to develop a pulse oximetry system for use in tactical aviation platforms needing to be resistant to high-G forces, and not negatively impact the wearer. The device has since completed benchtop and manned verification and validation (V&V) testing, and limited safe-to-fly (StF) and airworthiness testing through Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and windblast testing in order to be cleared for in-flight use.
The pulse oximetry market for military applications is specialized, with total DoD spending on related medical devices estimated at $50-100 million annually (based on aggregated SAM.gov data). Navy-specific procurements often prioritize systems for tactical aviation (e.g., rotary-wing aircraft like helicopters), where vibration, G-forces, and hypoxia pose unique challenges. Traditional finger-based sensors are common but prone to inaccuracies in these environments due to peripheral vasoconstriction and blood shunting. Forehead reflectance sensors, which probe dermal capillaries fed by the internal carotid artery (arising from the brain's circulation), offer superior stability as they are less affected by external stressors, supported by patent US20060264726A1 and studies showing 90-second faster hypoxia detection compared to digit sensors.
Navy contracts frequently involve sole source awards for proven systems, as seen in Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) procurements. Companies like Thera Tactics introduce innovative, patent-protected technologies tailored to these needs, often through RDT&E pathways. Common challenges include integrating multi-wavelength spectral analysis for accurate desaturation curves, ensuring compliance with military standards like MIL-STD-810G for environmental testing, and incorporating reliability metrics like signal quality indicators to flag low-confidence data, which is critical in high-stakes operational scenarios where false readings could impact decision-making.
The NAICS code for this action is 339112. NMRC requires that all contractors doing business with the Acquisition Office must be registered with the Systems for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in Systems for Award Management. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following website: https://www.sam.gov/. In order to register with the SAM and to be eligible to receive an award from this Acquisition Office, all offers must have a Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI). A Sam.gov number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Sam.gov online at www.sam.gov or by phone at (866) 606-8220