--Study on Impact of Ultraviolet (UV) and Solar radiation properties on Environmental Sensor and Prediction Modeling Assessment

The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center plans to negotiate and award a contract directly to the Heller Institute of Medical Research at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, bypassing full and open competition based on FAR 6.302-1(a). The contract involves conducting a study on how ultraviolet (UV) and solar radiation properties affect environmental sensor and prediction modeling assessments. The goal is to develop and construct an environmental stress index (ESI) that incorporates UV radiation components. The Heller Institute's unique access to a site in the Negev Desert—a below sea level, hot desert hyperbaric environment—is critical for this study, as it provides a rare setting where solar radiation penetrates in a manner necessary for testing thermal infrared meters. This contract is managed by the Department of Defense's W6QK Acc-apg Natick office in Natick, Massachusetts, and was announced on December 23, 2002. No solicitation document or request for proposals has been issued, as this action is a direct negotiation rather than an open bid. The study aims to improve environmental sensor accuracy and predictive models by leveraging the exclusive environmental conditions available at the Israeli test site, which is essential to the research objectives.