Motion Capture System for NHRC

The Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMRC) intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 to Motion Analysis Corporation, 3617 Westwind.; Santa Rosa, CA 95403, for a custom tailored motion capture system for the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) for the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC). NHRC has a state-of-the-art tool called the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN). The CAREN is a unique tool that provides a reactive virtual environment for the subject, including visual, auditory, vestibular, and tactile sensory inputs. The environment engages multiple sensory systems and has versatile use for diagnostic, rehabilitative, and testing of human physical and cognitive states. Using virtual reality principles, the system works in real-time and enables the creation of a variety of experiments in a controlled and repeatable environment. The current CAREN setup uses a Vicon motion capture system which is inadequate for NHRC’s current needs. The aim of this procurement is to replace the Vicon motion capture system with a Motion Analysis Corporation (MAC) motion capture system which is custom tailored to NHRC’s needs. This system will make operation of the CAREN more efficient and effective for NHRC’s needs, along with cutting significant amounts of time from NHRC’s post processing of captured data. The ability of the MAC motion capture system to function indoor and outdoor will increase its functionality, allowing for motion capture in remote locations and the ability to conduct research protocols using non-CAREN environments. The MAC system is able to do data conversions in realtime, and also stream data in the CAREN system in order for the person to interact with their virtual environment. Because the raw data (voltages) collected from the forceplates cannot be converted into the needed recognizable data (forces), post-processing the data becomes a time consuming process. This is because specific events that occur in the data must be keyed in by hand instead of being automatically labeled using the forces. Hand keying events can double the amount of time it takes to post-process data. Without forceplate data, that is synched with the motion capture data these systems are collecting, we are unable to perform any kinetic analyses (forces and moments) that may be important for biomechanics research. Further, the MAC system has Cortex post processing software, which is specific for the system and allows for a large reduction of man hours in post precessing of motion capture data over that of the current Vicon software. This includes capabilities to easily select certain areas of data, rename data that is labeled incorrectly, and other features that makes processing time cleaner and faster. The only motion capture platforms currently supported by the proprietary CAREN system are MAC and Vicon. The Vicon platform has been unable to gather and process data efficently and accurately. Though other motion capture companies exist, only MAC has been found to meet all the requirements needed for replacement of the current Vicon system. Other sites (e.g. Navy Medical Center San Diego) with collaborative research projects with NHRC utilize the MAC system. Currently, various conversion processes need to take place in order to share data with them. This is a time consuming process that can be eliminated by having the same MAC system. NHRC’s goal is to integrate and upgrade various pieces of hardware into the CAREN’s digital environment in order to develop increased immersion capabilities for research and clinical research protocols. This will develop system agility and increase capabilities as related to contemporary military requirements. By acquiring the MAC system, NHRC’s capabilities to capture motion data will be expanded to outdoor environments. The cameras that MAC provides are specifically tailored for indoor/outdoor use. This will be very useful in doing research out in the field such as load carriage studies, activities around large objects (e.g. vehicles) and equipment, or other activities that cannot be performed on the CAREN. 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 2:00 PM Eastern Time on 24 AUG 2011 will be considered by the Government. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to [email protected].