UCONN Physiological Responses
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Navy / NAVSUP FLC NORFOLK has issued a Special Notice for "UCONN Physiological Responses", a sole source procurement for research services. This effort aims to understand the physiological mechanisms and predictors of reduced performance in divers following normoxic and hyperoxic dives. This 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8) procurement is restricted to Dr. Ki Chon at the University of Connecticut due to unique mathematical modeling techniques. The notice was published on May 14, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
The Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) requires specialized research to develop operational risk management decisions and countermeasures for submarine and diver operations. The research focuses on understanding the impact of long-duration normoxic and hyperoxic dives on diver health, readiness, and performance. The goal is to develop biomedical models that account for physiological readiness and performance.
Key requirements include:
- Applying analytical modeling techniques, including machine and deep learning, to de-identified electronic data files containing physiological features during submaximal treadmill exercise.
- Curating and integrating data sets, tagging parameters of interest for modeling.
- Relating physiological parameters to performance outcomes following long-duration dives.
- Developing an initial predictive model for diver physiological readiness and mission performance.
- Delivering a scientific abstract and a draft manuscript/report ready for peer review, detailing analysis, results, and interpretation.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price
- Period of Performance: One year from the date of award.
- Set-Aside: 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8)
- Place of Performance: Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory in Groton, CT.
Eligibility & Submission
This is a sole source procurement restricted to Dr. Ki Chon at the University of Connecticut. Market research did not identify other sources capable of replicating Dr. Chon's unique mathematical techniques for modeling diving impacts. This document is a justification for a sole source procurement and not a solicitation for proposals from other vendors. Competition is precluded in accordance with FAR 12.102(a).
Additional Notes
This research is critical for improving operational capabilities and informing biometric device development. Proprietary data used in the research is owned and maintained by the University of Connecticut. Government Contacts:
- Acquisitions (Primary): Jason Parker (jason.k.parker4.civ@us.navy.mil)
- Technical (from Solicitation doc): John Florian, PhD
- Acquisitions (from Solicitation doc): Ronald S. Crouse