6515--Powered Knee Exoskeletonn Sources Sought

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 6 Network Contracting Office (NCO) is conducting Market Research through this source sought to help determine the availability of qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Small Businesses (SB), registered under NAICS code 339113, capable of supplying lower limb powered knee exoskeleton for the Richmond VA Medical Center. Salient Characteristics Functions to be performed; A lightweight, wearable, lower extremity, exoskeleton that provides ambulatory assistance, has its own power source, uses a powered knee function that is used for motor functions such as standing up, squatting, walking up stairs and other regular lower extremity motor movements, uses an intuitive software program that adapts to the motor movements of the current user to provide customizable assistance and can be calibrated for various users. Performance required; The lower body exoskeleton shall: Be suitable for users with neurological conditions such as progressive Parkinson s disease patients with gait impairment, such as it allows the user to initiate movement but does not independently perform ambulatory functions. Provide user-initiated movement via powered knee function. The knee extension is 'powered' for standing up from sitting and controlled resistance is provided when sitting down. Allow user flexible movement such as squatting, bending down and stair walking (flexion and extension). Allow for unilateral, symmetrical, or asymmetrical assistance with eccentric knee control under various weight bearing situations (up to 50 lbs). Be able to calibrate/programable to multiple users in the study (male/female, various height ranges, see physical characteristics below). Not require medical assistance to put on/take off. Suitable for individual function without medical supervision. Essential physical characteristics; Dimensions (if applicable). Freestanding and not linked to other equipment such as a treadmill or stationary power source. Wireless, battery powered connectivity (at least 4 hours) that has the power supply attached around the hip or the leg portions of the device and does not require an external carrying case. Provide musculoskeletal support of lower limbs. Adjustable hip buckle to accommodate a range of widths (26-42 inches). Weight range of user up to at least 275 lbs. Provide at least 2 lumbar strap options. Removable pads and shells for cleaning. Weigh less than 15 lbs. Hip and knee sensors that can sense initiated movement and intuitively aid when needed. Connect via Bluetooth to a software platform that can wirelessly calibrate the exoskeleton to the user. If the contractor can provide the above items, the contractor shall provide a letter from the manufacturer stating they are an authorized distributor/licenser of their products. Failure to submit an authorized distributor letter shall result in the product(s) potentially offered to be considered grey market and shall not be considered technically acceptable. All respondents shall submit capability statements signifying that they meet the above-mentioned specifications. The capability statements received from this market research survey are for planning purposes only and will assist the Government in planning its acquisition strategy. This is strictly market research and the Government will not entertain questions concerning this market research survey. The Government will not assume any costs incurred by the contractor in the preparation of responses. All responses shall be submitted in the form of electronic mail no later than December 20, 10:00 AM, EST to the attention of: Gordon Burns, VA Medical Center, 27 Averill Avenue, Hampton, VA 23667. E-mail address: gordon.burns@va.gov. All responses shall contain the subject line; 36C24624Q0203: Richmond Power Knee. Performance location: Richmond VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA 23524