R--Services to conduct research and provide facilities and equipment access to facilitate NSRDEC cerebral lateralization and activation research.

The U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division, representing the Army Soldier Systems Center, plans to award a sole source purchase order to Merrimack College to support NSRDEC research on cerebral lateralization and activation. This research focuses on understanding and measuring emotional and physiological responses, as well as verbal and spatial processing, by providing access to specialized facilities and equipment. The procurement is justified under FAR 6.302-1, which allows for non-competitive acquisition, and aims to facilitate critical scientific investigations related to state and trait indicators of arousal. Potential interested parties are invited to express their interest and capability to fulfill this requirement by contacting the contracting division by July 2, 2009. It is emphasized that this notice is not a solicitation or request for proposal but a means to assess whether future competitive procurement may be warranted. The response period is notably short, only seven days, reflecting the urgency and specific nature of the research need. The contract lacks a formal solicitation document and is specific in its scope, targeting services for research facilitation rather than broader program support.