Solutions to Accelerate Return-to-Readiness following Musculoskeletal Injuries

Purpose

This solicitation, issued by MTEC, represents a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) for MTEC in support of the Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP). Proposals selected for award as a result of this RPP will be awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022. Strategic oversight for the award(s) supported by this RPP will be provided by MOMRP.

The overall objective of effort is to identify and enable the development of solutions to accelerate recovery following acute or cumulative musculoskeletal injury. Prototypes may include developing medical technologies (e.g., drugs, biologics, and devices) and treatments or rehabilitative strategies (e.g., methods, guidelines, standards, and knowledge products) for musculoskeletal injuries.

Scope of Work

This RPP focuses on developing technologies that maximize medical readiness for the modern Warfighter. Efforts may include treatments and/or interventions to accelerate recovery following musculoskeletal injury including:

• Capability to treat, repair, or regenerate functional muscle following acute injury.
• Capability to enable faster recovery timelines after soft tissue injury (e.g., strain/sprain).

Additional Points of Consideration

Project Maturity: Proposed prototypes must, at minimum, be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3; however, it is preferred that proposed prototypes are at a stage where they are ready for user testing. Studies involving human subject testing are highly encouraged.

Proposed Scope: The proposed scope of work should be focused on tasks relevant to advance the prototype to the next TRL. Project scope should be based on the prototype’s maturity at the time of submission. The work could include, but is not limited, to:

• Prototype refinement/maturation progressing toward clinical product.
• Clinical studies (as needed) to support regulatory approval/clearance.
• Prototype delivery for military-relevant testing (prototype testing or demonstrations).
• First article testing.

Industry Partners: MTEC considers that a white paper involving an industry partner (or alternative organization) to serve as the regulatory sponsor and commercialization partner may have the greatest level of success, especially considering that the eventual goal is to obtain clearance/approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Academic or Not-for-Profit Partners: MTEC is excited to bring forth Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) as a potential co-funder to this solicitation. OREF has committed $100,000 to support a portion of the proposed work that will be conducted by either an academic or not-for-profit partner organization. If the Offeror (prime contractor) is a for-profit organization, it is encouraged that the Offeror include an academic or not-for-profit partner as a subcontractor that is capable and well poised to execute the OREF-funded portion of the work.

Points of Contact

For inquiries, please direct your correspondence to Biomedical Research Associate Chuck Hutti, Ph.D. at Chuck.Hutti@ati.org.