RFI: Medical Mannequin Training Tool (M2T2)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from private sector entities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties to determine the market feasibility, capability, and return on investment to produce an instrumented medical training mannequin that meets the below specifications and requirements. This RFI also seeks information regarding currently available training mannequins, at the identified per unit cost, that meet 80% or more of the identified specifications. This is an RFI as identified in FAR 15.201(c) (7) and FAR Part 10 - Market Research, for planning purposes only. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). A solicitation is not being issued at this time, and this notice shall be not be considered as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Comments and recommendations submitted in response to this RFI and future workshops will inform DHS on the status of the technology and cost of production. Previous market research and discussions with medical mannequin manufacturers and medical instructors indicates a need for a mid-level affordable device. The market has low cost and high cost mannequins without the ability for the end user to choose the desired embedded training technologies. This often results in the purchase of low cost medical mannequins that are inadequate or the purchase of high cost mannequins that have more features then those required by end users. Research among the emergency medical services community shows a strong need for an affordable medical mannequin with user driven sensors and features. The DHS S&T Directorate values your input and will consider responses to this RFI in future research, design, development and acquisition of technology in this area. We want to make it clear that we are only seeking information at this time and that this RFI is not an offer and shall not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not reimburse any respondent for any costs associated with information submitted in response to this RFI. Industry feedback is vitally important and the Government will be receptive to any and all ideas received from industry. Proprietary information is not being solicited and shall not be submitted. About the Medical Mannequin Training Tool (M2T2): The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate's First Responders Group conducted a series of training studies and interviews with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) and the nation's first responders that identified a need for a physical training mannequin to be used in Care Under Fire (CUF) and Tactical Field Care (TFC) task training. The study identified a need for a durable mannequin with a set of untethered integrated sensors that will provide an objective performance evaluation of the medical care being provided at a cost of $30,000 or less. Medical care personnel and trainers envision using the M2T2 mannequin for the specific purpose of evaluating the medical care being provided by trainees and will not replace additional training aides and mannequins used for dragging, carrying, etc. More Information and Links: DHS S&T Directorate: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology How to submit comments: 1. Requested information must be submitted in PDF format and should not exceed ten (10) 8 " x 11" pages, Times New Roman 12 pitch. 2. Each submission should include the following contact information: - Company/Individual/Academic Institution - Submitter's Name - Email Address - City, State - Phone Number 3. Request information as follows: - Market and production feasibility of a system similar to the one described in Attachment 1 - Overview of the M2T2 Requirements. - Feasibility of producing such a system at $30,000 or less. If not, what is the cost? - Overview of existing systems to meet 80% or better of the described need and cost. Also identify the cost to meet the stated need without additional unwanted features? - Inhibiting factors of producing a system as described and at the desired price point - Technology advancements not described but may be more desirable and achieve the same outcomes. - What are the inhibiting factors for producing a mid-level medical training mannequin as described below?