The Access Board, through the Dept of Treasury, Bureau of Public Debt, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, a contract with Robert Morley, Washington University, St Louis MO, to obtain consulting services to conduct a literature search, develop testing procedures and protocols, establish a network of site testers, implement testing, compile data, and produce a final report on the level of static electricity that is being created in play areas that use plastic play components. Static discharge in play areas is potentially harmful to children with cochlear implants. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board) is an independent federal agency responsible for developing accessibility guidelines for newly-constructed buildings and facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. In the fall of 2000 the Board published final guidelines for play areas. This final rule amends ADAAG by adding a new special application section for play areas that includes scoping and technical provisions for ground level and elevated play components, accessible routes, ramps, transfer systems, ground surfaces, and soft contained play structures. During the public comment period of the NPRM, a parent of a child with a cochlear implant commented that her child was unable to play in play areas with plastic play equipment. Static electricity caused by the friction created when a child slides down plastic slides or uses other types of plastic play equipment can apparently cause the cochlear implant to fail and surgery may be required to re-implant a new cochlear device. According to anecdotal reports, the possibility of a static discharge damaging the implant is too great of a risk, so parents do not allow their children who have been implanted to play in playgrounds all across the country. The commenter requested that the Board specify a percentage of metal or other conductive material play components be provided in play areas. Consistent with the rest of ADAAG, the play area guidelines did not specify the materials to be used in play components. It is estimated that there are now more than 8600 children who have cochlear implants; and an additional 21,000 are expected to be implanted within the next 10 years. In the fall of 2002, a national forum on static electricity in play areas was held in Chesterfield, MO where there is a large population of children with cochlear implants in the area because of the nearby St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf. The group heard from parents of children with cochlear implants, audiologists, playground equipment manufacturers, and cochlear implant manufacturers. The group concluded the forum by developing a list of short and long-term goals. High on the priority list was the need to quantify the levels of static electricity being created in play areas with plastic play components. PROGRAM OBJECTIVE-The Access Board wishes to contract with a knowledgeable specialist in static electricity and hearing devices to guide and manage collaboration between the Board and playground equipment manufacturers and association representatives to evaluate different types of plastic play equipment during different seasons and humidity levels to determine the amount of static electricity being created when the equipment is used by a child. PROJECT DESCRIPTION-In consultation with Access Board staff, the contractor shall complete a literature search to determine if similar studies have been completed and report findings. The contractor shall also indicate common levels of static electricity released from common environmental charges. The contractor shall develop and implement a testing program that can be replicated around the country to determine static electricity levels on different types of similar plastic play equipment when used by children. The contractor shall compile, provide, and present a final report of the results. TASKS AND DELIVERABLES: Task 1: Literature Search-The Contractor will perform a literature search to determine if similar research has been conducted or is being conducted, and report the results. Investigate and document findings of levels of static electricity found in the everyday environment. Deliverables: Report detailing results of literature search.Task 2: Testing Protocols-Develop testing protocols, procedures and devices for collecting data. Validate testing procedures and protocols. Deliverables: Testing protocols and procedures description; validation of testing procedures and protocols. Task 3: Testing Network-Train at least 5 site testers on the procedures for collecting data. Establish a network of trained site testers to follow procedures and record and report back data from other locations. Deliverables: List of 5 site testers; equipment and materials for 5 site testers. Task 4: Play Area Testing-Test as many play areas during as many different environmental conditions as possible to provide a large sample of readings under varying environmental conditions. Deliverables: Final Report and comparative analysis of commonly experienced environmental electricity static discharges with those found in play areas; present findings at a Forum on Play Areas and Static Electricity sponsored by the Access Board. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE-Contractor will complete all tasks within a 12-month period from the date of a signed agreement. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. Public Debt will consider all affirmative responses received no later than May 17, 2004 at 2 PM EDT. Affirmative responses shall reference RFQ04-056 and shall be accompanied by sufficient documentation to clearly show the ability to provide the required services or functional equivalent at terms more advantageous to the Government. Requests for more information will not be considered an affirmative response. If no affirmative response is received that clearly demonstrates the ability to meet all requirements and that it is more advantageous to the Government, a sole-source award will be made to Robert Morley, Washington University.
