National Child Restraint Use Special Study (NCRUSS) II

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice to identify potential qualified Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a) Certified SDB, HUBZone SB, SDVOSB, or WOSB concerns that may be interested in and capable of performing the work described herein is to develop and refine survey instruments based on the NCRUSS instrument used in 2011, to further NHTSA's understanding of use and misuse of child restraint systems. NHTSA welcomes all qualified Small Business concerns, with the appropriate NAICS Code and past experience to submit their Corporate Capability Statements that demonstrate their ability to successfully accomplish the goals of the project as listed below. NHTSA does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice or otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made; no formal evaluation of the information received will be conducted by NHTSA. NHTSA may; however later on issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). However, should such a requirement fail to materialize, no basis for claims against NHTSA shall arise as a result of a response to this notice. During this study, the Contractor shall develop and refine survey instruments based on the NCRUSS instrument used in 2011, to further NHTSA's understanding of use and misuse of child restraint systems. The Contractor shall convene a panel of subject matter experts on child restraint systems to determine definitions for use and misuse and the necessary refinement of the survey methods and instruments. This task also requires the administration of surveys and interviews to, and observations of, drivers with children in child restraint systems. Furthermore, it requires analyses of the collected survey, interview, and observational data, data management of collected data, a final report describing the background, methods, and results, and a journal article. Background: Child restraint systems are any device that meets the FMVSS prescribed by NHTSA, including child safety seats, booster seats used in conjunction with seatbelts, or harnesses that are designed for use in motor vehicles to restrain, seat, or position a child. Child safety seats reduce fatal injury by 71% for infants under 1 year old and by 54% for toddlers 1 to 4 years old (NCSA, 2024). NHTSA conducted the NCRUSS in 2011 to observe the use of car seats and booster seats for child passengers from birth to 8 years old. The 2011 NCRUSS also examined whether the levels of use and/or misuse were related to any specific characteristics of the drivers, their passengers, and/or their vehicles. The data collected by the NCRUSS was used to evaluate the effectiveness of FMVSS No. 225 and FMVSS No. 213. The 2011 NCRUSS sample was a nationally representative sample and data was collected across 24 PSUs located in 17 States (see Greenwell [2015][1] for detailed sampling methodology). PSUs included cities, counties, or groups of adjacent counties, and urban, rural, and suburban environments. Findings from the 2011 NCRUSS indicated that 94% of children were restrained in car seats or booster seats, 4% were restrained in seat belts, and 2% were unrestrained. However, the NCRUSS estimated overall misuse of car seats and booster seats to be 46%, with misuse estimates of 61% for forward-facing car seats, 49% for rear-facing car seats, 44% for rear-facing convertible car seats, 24% for backless booster seats, and 16% for highback booster seats. Furthermore, NCRUSS data on lower anchor connectors and tether strap installations (LATCH installations) revealed that rear-facing car seats and forward-facing car seats equipped with lower anchor connectors in seating positions equipped with lower anchors were more likely installed with lower anchor connectors (87% for rear-facing and 48% for forward-facing) than seat belts (22% for rear-facing and 27% for forward-facing). More detailed findings are provided in the Greenwell (2015)1 and Raymond et al. (2017[2], 2018[3],[4]) NCRUSS reports. Since the 2011 NCRUSS, updated and new literature, research, and standards related to child restraint systems and use of child restraint systems have occurred. NHTSA plans to reconduct the NCRUSS to examine the current state of use of car seats and booster seats for child passengers from birth through 12 years old, and the perceptions of drivers about child restraint systems. The methods originally used in the 2011 NCRUSS (see Barron et al., 2016[5]; Greenwell, 20151), including large-scale survey, interview, and observations, will be evaluated for appropriateness and relevancy, and will be refreshed accordingly. A panel of subject matter experts on child restraint systems will be convened to determine use and misuse of child restraint systems and necessary updates to the NCRUSS methodology and analyses. The panel will also develop categories of misuse (e.g., minor to major issues). The sample size will be expanded to allow for testing of research questions related to subpopulations. Drivers will be interviewed about their knowledge and perceptions of child restraint systems. Interviews will include demographic information on occupants, the driver's knowledge about the specific child restraint system in their vehicle, and the driver's general knowledge and experience with restraint systems. Interviews will also include questions about potential barriers caregivers and drivers have experienced related to child restraint systems. Observational data on correct and incorrect use of child restraint systems in passenger vehicles will be collected. CPSTs will observe the child restraint systems available and in use in vehicles. Information collected will include the type of restraint that is used, the type of installation, how the child restraint system is installed, and seat belt fit, as necessary. NHTSA requires contractor support to conduct a large-scale survey that observes and measures the level of child restraint use and misuse in passenger vehicles. The study will also identify current gaps in data related to child restraint use and misuse and collect new data needed to evaluate and update child restraint system use and misuse information. This effort will also require database support (e.g., development and updates to the application used for entry and for quality control of survey data, documentation and training for this application, preparation of the data file and datasets), data analysis, and report preparation of the data collected in the NCRUSS. Objective(s): The primary objective of this task order is to measure the level of child restraint system use and misuse for children riding in passenger vehicles. The project will answer the following questions: What is the overall level of child restraint system use and misuse? What are the rates of use and misuse for the different child restraint system types? What are the observed rates of use and misuse of the specific sub-components, such as LATCH? What are the specific types and frequencies of misuse, and how can these misuses be categorized? Is the appropriate child safety seat for a child's age, weight, and height being used? Is use and misuse of child restraint systems associated with any specific characteristics of the drivers, their passengers, and/or their vehicles? What is the association between driver attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of child passenger safety and use and misuse of child restraint systems? Where do drivers obtain information about child restraint system installation (e.g., vehicle manufacturers, safety seat manufacturers, doctor's offices) and is the source of information related to child restraint system use or misuse? What are the key opportunities for countermeasure development and deployment? What are the differences between the NCRUSS conducted in 2011 and the current NCRUSS? The Contractor shall provide the necessary qualified personnel, facilities, materials, supplies, equipment, and services as identified in the attached Draft Statement of Work (SOW). CAPABILITY STATEMENTS Any interested qualified Small Business firms, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a) Certified SDB, HUBZone SB, SDVOSB, or WOSB concerns should submit their Corporate Capability Statement, which demonstrates the firm's ability and past experience in no more than 10 pages to perform the key requirements described above to the identified NHTSA point of contact listed herein. Any proprietary information should be marked as such. All respondents are asked to certify the type and size of their business organization is in-line with the requirements of this Sources Sought Notice which must be received no later than 10 calendar days from the date of publication or by the closing date of this notice. To facilitate a timely and comprehensive review of all submitted responses, firms should respond using the format requested in this Notice. Please provide the following information for your firm and for any teaming or joint venture partners: General Information Company name, address, point of contact name, telephone, and email address. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. Business size and classification (e.g., large, small, small-disadvantaged, SBA Certified 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned) based on NAICS code: 541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. If applicable, potential proposed teaming arrangements to include business size and classification of prime and subcontractors. GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Number (FSS must include NAICS code 541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Identify contracts your company has been awarded under NAICS code: 541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Technical Capability: Provide a brief synopsis to support the firm's ability to perform all of potential areas of the objective/scope. Identify each task element and provide information to support the firm's experience, staffing and overall ability to perform the technical area. Evidence of experience and past performance should include contracts/task orders from the past three (3) years similar in scope to this requirement. Examples must include contract numbers, project titles, dollar amounts, periods of performance, and Government points of contact (telephone numbers or email addresses). Documented information to support the firm's ability to provide the range of research skillsets capability to quickly plan, conduct, and document studies; AND personnel required for this effort in a timely fashion. Any data on previous contracts/task orders on personnel retention and succession planning. Additional Information: Indicate if your firm will submit a proposal if a Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued, and if your firms interest is for Prime contracting, teaming agreement or Joint Venture. Validation of, or recommended NAICS codes for this effort. Validation of, or recommended contract type. Validation of, or recommended GSA vehicle In each potential areas of research, indicate any Small Business Subcontracting opportunities, as applicable. Other Recommendations a) Any information missing from this requirement that would provide a better understanding of the effort desired. b) Please submit any other questions or comments along with your response. CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Transportation (DOT) Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590. [1] Greenwell, N. K. (2015, May). Results of the national child restraint use special study (Report No. DOT HS 812 142). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812142 [2] Raymond, P., Searcy, S., Findley, D., Miller, S., & Redden, C. (2017, October). Additional analysis of the National Child Restraint Use Special Study (Report No. DOT HS 812 462). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/812462-additional_analysis_national_child_restraint_use_special_study_ncruss.pdf [3] Raymond, P., Searcy, S., Miller, S., & Redden, C. (2018, March). Additional analysis of National Child Restraint Use Special Study: Characteristics of those not restrained (Report No. DOT HS 812 477). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/35963 [4] Raymond, P., Searcy, S., & Findley, D. (2018, July). Additional analysis of National Child Restraint Use Special Study: Child restraint misuse (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 812 527). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/38686 [5] Barron, P., Doyle, C., & Radja, G. (2016, April). 2011 National Child Restraint Usage Special Study user's coding manual (Report No. DOT HS 812 254). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812254