US Special Operations Command seeks pre-proposals for research and development in the areas of interest listed below.
Projects of up to 5 years duration will be considered, with most projects anticipated to have a total cost of USD$2 – $5M (including indirect costs). Projects with outstanding scientific merit that meet a critical need may be considered for funding of up to USD$10M.
Pre-proposals will be accepted continuously and assessed at periodic reviews until 31 July 2028. Selected pre-proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal within 60 days.
A primary emphasis of the USSOCOM Biomedical, Human Performance, and Canine Research Program is to identify and develop techniques, knowledge products, and materiel (medical devices, drugs, and biologics) to support far-forward early intervention of life-threatening illnesses or injuries within an Irregular Warfare or asymmetric, multi-domain operational environment. Special Operations Forces (SOF) medical personnel place a premium on medical equipment that is small, lightweight, ruggedized, modular, multi-use, and designed for operation in extreme environments. The equipment must be simple to employ, require minimum maintenance, and have low power consumption. Drugs and biologics should optimally not require refrigeration or other special handling. All materiel solutions must be capable of commercialization. Research projects may apply existing scientific and technical knowledge for which concept and/or patient care efficacy have already been demonstrated to meet SOF requirements. The proposed research must be relevant to active-duty service members, veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public. Relevant research must be responsive to the health care needs of the US Armed Forces, family members and Veterans. Proposals must address a relevant health problem responsive to one of the research areas of interest.
Research Areas of Interest
- damage control resuscitation – global treatment strategies and nextgen wound management; analgesia; far forward blood, blood components, blood substitute and injectable hemostatics; austere surgical stabilization
- prolonged field care
- medical sensors and devices
- portable lab assays and diagnostics
- force health protection and experimental medicine – CBRNE rapid diagnostics, treatment and prophylaxis; occupational and environmental health hazards; operational exposure monitoring;
- brain health – environmental exposures protection; environmental exposures effects; biomarkers; neuropsychological testing; olfactory, oculomotor, auditory, vestibular, cranial nerve and vocal-acoustic performance; postural stability; neuroendocrine dysfunction; neuroimaging; analytics; neuromodulation; brain lymphatics and glymphatics; pupillometry, pupillary response and microsaccades
- automation of systematic reviews and metanalysis
- human performance – improved sleep; optimal acclimatization strategies; wearables; diagnostics for performance sustainment; performance nutrition; physiological performance; cognitive performance; psychological performance and suicide prevention;
- canine medicine and performance – trauma resuscitation; non-traditional anesthesia protocols; canine performance; sensory optimization and protection; CBRNE canine decontamination, treatment and PPE against possible exposure; environmental extremes; brain health and TBI; pre- and post-trauma training/behavioural issues;
- medical sustainment – power and energy; austere medical logistics procurement; equipment protection; supply monitoring capability
Document
BAA – Extramural Biomedical & Human Performance R&D – HT9425-23-S-SOC1-0003
