JOFOC notice - Acuity Study - Westat

The Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) manufactures US Currency notes. There are two locations (1) Washington, DC and (2) Fort Worth, Texas. The BEP is currently working on the development of a raised tactile feature for currency denomination as part of a "meaningful access" program. As part of obtaining feedback on the usability of raised tactile features being developed by the BEP to assist blind and visually impaired persons in denominating U.S. Paper currency, the BEP has a need for a standardized acuity study protocol, developed and tested by Subject Matter Expert(s) (SMEs), that the BEP can utilize during interactions with blind and visually impaired persons at conferences, conventions and meetings. A raised tactile feature is an integral part of a multi-faceted approach to providing blind and visually impaired persons meaningful access to U. S. paper currency, as approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. The BEP intends to award a sole source simplified FAR part 12 fixed price contract to Westat for this activity. The BEP posted a Request for Information (RFI) No. BEP-RFI-12-0002 seeking SMEs capable of providing and developing protocols for acuity studies. The BEP requires the acuity study protocol to administer abbreviated acuity/perception feedback sessions with members of the blind and visually impaired community. The BEP plans to conduct these acuity studies in a limited time span during national conventions, conferences and meetings of organizations affiliated with blind and visually impaired persons. Through direct feedback on the usability of raised tactile features, which the BEP is developing as a way for the target community to denominate U.S. paper currency, the BEP will down-select the number of potential features currently under development for more extensive testing. A raised tactile feature is an integral part of a plan approved by the Secretary of the Treasury for providing the blind and visually impaired community with meaningful access to U. S. paper currency. Because the BEP does not have subject matter experts (SME) in the field of haptic acuity / perception studies, the BEP requires feedback protocol development by SMEs. Through a search of the literature on haptic acuity/perception studies with the blind, and through BEP-RFI-12-0002, the BEP has determined that Westat of Rockville, MD, in collaboration with Lighthouse International of New York, NY, are uniquely qualified as SMEs in the development and administration of acuity/perception studies involving blind and visually impaired persons. Westat together with Lighthouse International have the necessary knowhow and resources to adequately meet the needs of the BEP. The BEP concludes that it is in the best interest of the government to engage the nation's most qualified SMEs in the development of an acuity study protocol that will be used to obtain meaningful feedback regarding potential raised tactile features currently under development. If your company is able to provide this service to the BEP please contact Kathleen Reidy, Contract Specialist, at Kathleen.Reidy@bep.gov. This notice closes on Wednesday May 16, 2012 at 2 PM EST.