Chamber Services for decompression sickness testing of exercise countermeasures.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding Solicitation 80NSSC26920246Q-1 for Chamber Services for decompression sickness testing of exercise countermeasures.

• Pilot/Proficiency Requirement: Prior NASA-funded pilot/proficiency completion is not explicitly stated as an eligibility requirement for award. However, the Statement of Work (SOW) requires organizations to have completed pilot chamber tests to demonstrate capabilities and have their test data reviewed by NASA. Any deficiencies in executing NASA-defined DCS pilot test protocols must be resolved.
• Acceptable Proof of Completion: NASA requires data sets or evidence of hardware integration and the ability to perform specific tasks, including:
  • A 6-hour prebreathe followed by a 6-hour EVA simulation (100% O2), including chamber hardware integration.
  • Appropriate medical support for pre-chamber physicals, monitoring during the protocol, and post-protocol follow-up.
  • Experience in monitoring and interpreting 2-D ultrasound and Doppler, and monitoring subject symptoms of DCS.
  • Simulating suit environments by depressurizing to 4.3 psia before EVA simulation.
  • EVA simulation using eight stations in a repetitive series of tasks, with subjects rotating every 5 minutes. Tasks include low step, standing board, weight transfer, high step, arm ergometry, kneeling board, and Doppler ultrasound.
  • Specific work rates and cadence will be prescribed based on VO2pk tests and pre-test familiarization.
  • Monitoring and recording cardiac cycles during specific conditions.
  • Documentation of subject compliance, work rates, and operator observations.
• Teaming/Subcontracting: This effort is not designed to be split between two contractors. The prime offeror must possess the required experience in prebreathe, hardware integration, and EVA.
• Verification of Eligibility: Offerors should refer to Answer 2 for details on chamber and experience needs if NASA does not publish a list of eligible facilities.

This Q&A document clarifies requirements related to prior experience and the capabilities needed for the chamber services, impacting how offerors should prepare their proposals and demonstrate their qualifications.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for "Chamber Services for decompression sickness testing of exercise countermeasures." It is a Brand Name or Equal To requirement.

• The solicitation requires "Chamber Services for decompression sickness testing of exercise countermeasures."

• Offerors must include CAGE/UEI Code, FOB Destination, Leadtime for Delivery, and POC Name & Email in their bid.

• It is a Brand Name or Equivalent requirement.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated, but it is an RFQ for commercial items.

• Delivery is FOB Destination.

• Quotes are due by 1/29/2026 at 7 a.m. CT.

• Quotes should be submitted via email to Shanna.l.Patterson@nasa.gov.

• The tracking number (80NSSC26920179Q-1) must be referenced in the email subject line.

• Contractual and technical questions are due by 1/28/2026 at 7 a.m. CT via email to Shanna.l.Patterson@nasa.gov. Telephone questions will not be accepted.

• Quotes shall remain valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.

• Submitted quotes must list two points of contact (name, phone number, email address).

• The evaluation criteria is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• This procurement is set aside for small business.

• Offerors must be registered at www.sam.gov to be considered for award.

• Specific provisions regarding Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services (52.204-24 and 52.204-26) must be completed and returned with the quote.

• The government does not pay by credit card.

• The NAICS Code for this procurement is 621511.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications and answers to vendor questions regarding the "Chamber Services for decompression sickness testing of exercise countermeasures" opportunity (80NSSC26920246Q-1).

• Place of Performance: The offeror's hypobaric/altitude chamber facility is the correct place of performance. There are no radius requirements from the NASA facility. Technical experts will be working at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
• Travel Costs: Any travel by NASA or contractors will be paid by NASA and should not be included in the proposal. Subject travel, if required, should be included in the firm-fixed-price quote.

This Q&A document clarifies requirements related to the place of performance and travel cost assumptions, which may impact proposal preparation and pricing.

Statement of Work (SOW)

This SOW defines the requirements for conducting hypobaric testing to support the development of a Decompression Sickness (DCS) risk estimation tool, the Aerospace Estimation Tool for Hypobaric Exposure Risk (AETHER). The primary goal is to collect data on the effects of exercise during prebreathe prior to a simulated Extravehicular Activity (EVA) as a potential mitigation strategy for DCS.

• Conduct data collection for six (6) subjects across control and two experimental conditions (test days).

• Recruit and screen subjects, including at least 3 subjects per chamber test day and 1 backup subject per test day.

• Subjects will undergo peak aerobic capacity (VO2pk) testing and familiarization with chamber protocols and EVA simulation workstations.

• Perform three decompression trials per subject: one control and two experimental conditions involving varying levels of exercise during prebreathe (None, Low Exercise, Moderate Exercise).

• Simulate a 6-hour EVA with standardized monitoring, including specific tasks and work rates.

• Conduct medical monitoring, including physical examinations, ultrasound imaging for venous gas emboli (VGE), and monitoring of subject symptoms.

• Assess subjects for Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) using transthoracic ultrasound imaging.

• Deliver electronic records of all data collected to NASA within 14 days of each test run.

• Chamber pressure maintained within +/- 0.1 psi of nominal pressure.

• Prebreathe duration may be increased up to 2 hours if excessive DCS burden is observed.

• EVA simulation tasks performed at protocol-defined work rates and duration.

• Ultrasound imaging scored using the modified Eftedal-Brubbak (EB) scale.

• Unexpected results and incidents reported to NASA within 12 hours.

• Not explicitly defined in the SOW, but implies facility-based chamber testing.

• Within a subject, all three decompression trials must be completed within 1 year of the Peak Cycle test, and within 6 months between the first and third test day.

• Facilities must have completed pilot chamber tests and have documented resolution of any deficiencies.

• Facilities must provide medical support, including 2-D ultrasound imaging for VGE.

• Subjects must not eat or sleep during prebreathe or EVA.

• Facilities must provide required hardware and consumables, or procure them if not loaned by NASA.

• Personnel may require training for specific equipment (e.g., Gentex Phantom+ masks, ultrasound).

• Budget quotes must be firm fixed price and can include payments for interim milestones.