Research Involving Efficacy of Strategic Consumption of a Glucose Solution during Sleep Loss

Research Involving Efficacy of Strategic Consumption of a Glucose Solution during Sleep Loss In Support of the Naval Medical Research Unit, Dayton, OH (NAMRU-D) The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 to Birmingham Southern College (BSC), Box 549037 900 Arkadelphia Road Birmingham, AL 35254, to provide research and development services to determine whether strategic consumption of a glucose solution during sleep loss will maintain cognitive performance when compared to a placebo drink in support of Naval Medical Research Unit, Dayton, Ohio (NAMRU-D). Glucose bioavailability is implicated in the ability to exercise self-control, via the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Sleep loss causes systemic glucose dysregulation and compromises cognitive performance predicated on self-control, such as inhibitory function and decision-making. Strategic use of glucose during sleep loss may blunt performance decrements by sustaining PFC function dependent on glucose bioavailability. The study will be conducted per the description in the JPC5 proposal, Study 1. Participants will undergo 40 hours of continuous wakefulness and receive either a glucose solution in water or an equivalent placebo at hours 18 and 36. They will complete a suite of cognitive, physiological, and mood measures at rested baseline and then every 3 hours for the duration of the continuous wakefulness period. Data will be analyzed at the group and individual levels to assess performance sustainment according to the solution given and individual need. If successful, glucose supplementation would offer a safe, inexpensive, and fast-acting adjunct to current pharmacologic countermeasures and represent a necessary step toward a comprehensive approach to fatigue mitigation. Birmingham Southern College has been identified as the only responsible source that can successfully complete the research requirement. This sleep study will be performed at the laboratory located at BSC. The laboratory is compatible with the NAMRU-D sleep laboratory (same equipment and testing). Since this study is part of a series of fatigue countermeasures studies, the test results from each study will be used to show common effects from each of the countermeasures assessed in this three-study effort. In addition, Joseph F. Chandler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology at BSC is uniquely qualified to provide the research services required to complete the study. Dr. Chandler has the knowledge and expertise in fatigue research as well as prior experience in developing the study design with the NAMRU-Dayton fatigue research team. This design includes a series of sleep studies which provides a package of fatigue countermeasures to offer as possible aids to increase alertness and performance during periods of inadequate sleep. The base period of performance will be for 12 months and has an estimated value of $23,000.00 and there will be two, 12 month option periods (Option Period 01: $65,250.00 and Option Period 02: $61,650.00. The total estimated value of the contract including all options is $149,900.00. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice will need to submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability. All capability statements received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All capability statements received by 12:00 PM Eastern Time, 17 June 2014 will be considered by the Government. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to Nicholas Dankanich at Nicholas.Dankanich@med.navy.mil and shall reference "N62645-14-P-2046 Sleepy Study" in the subject line. REF ID: N62645-14-P-2046 NAICS: 541712