SPECIAL NOTICE
R -- Markerless Motion Capture Algorithms
- Notice Date
- 6/21/2010
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 511210
— Software Publishers
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch (Pittsburgh), Post Office Box 18070, Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15236-0070
- ZIP Code
- 15236-0070
- Solicitation Number
- 2010-DM-84920
- Archive Date
- 7/21/2010
- Point of Contact
- Diane J Meeder, Phone: (412)386-4412
- E-Mail Address
-
DMeeder@cdc.gov
(DMeeder@cdc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to negotiate a contract with C-Motion, Inc., 420030 Century Blvd, Ste 104A, Germantown, MD, 20874-1112. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Health Effects Lab Division (HELD) has a requirement for Markerless Motion Capture algorithms directly within Visual3D biomechanical modeling software in support of a Portable Biomechanical Assessment Suite (PBAS) for use in occupational field setting, capable of quantifying risk factors for low-back musculoskeletal disorders. The overall objective of this project is to develop Markerless Motion Capture algorithms in support of a Portable Biomechanical Assessment Suite (PBAS) for use in field settings, capable of quantifying risk factors for low-back musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. Musculoskeletal disorders involving the low-back are recognized as an important occupational health issue across all industry sectors (Marras, Cutlip, Burt, & Waters, 2009). Laboratory-based human motion studies, including kinematics (motions) and kinetics (forces), have quantified exposures for biomechanical risk factors contributing to MSDs, but no practical, full-body, motion capture systems exist for field studies. Among others, candidate portable sensors include inertial measurement units (IMUs) and markerless motion capture (MMC), but each has important limitations. Two-dimensional (2D) IMUs combine accelerometers and rate gyroscopes to provide body kinematics with respect to two horizontal axes. Three-dimensional (3D) IMUs add magnetometers to provide kinematics with respect to a vertical axis, but these are adversely affected by metallic objects and magnetic fields (Roetenberg, Luinge, Baten, & Veltink, 2005). MMC is based upon observational video, and while several techniques are being explored, visual hulls with joint constraints appear to be the most promising (Mundermann, Corazza, & Andriacchi, 2006). Limitations include the need for feature rich clothing, uncluttered background images, and a priori knowledge of anticipated body kinematics. Recently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Engineering and Control Technology Branch (NIOSH) successfully developed a prototype PBAS, based upon 2D IMUs, capable of assessing sagittal plane joint kinematics and kinetics while assuming bilateral symmetry. The need exists to further develop this prototype, enabling it to assess 3D kinematics and kinetics for all major joints of the body, with no assumptions regarding symmetry. Continued use of IMUs alone would necessitate the addition of magnetometers to obtain rotations of body segments about the vertical (gravity) axis. Because magnetometers are adversely affected by ferromagnetic objects, and these are common in the workplace, we propose to augment 2D IMU data using MMC technologies. Task 1 (expected duration 12 months): The purpose of this work segment is to produce a computer simulation environment directly within Visual3D biomechanical modeling software (C-Motion, Inc., Rockville MD, USA), that will allow virtual testing of various MMC algorithms. To seed this development, experimental data are needed, and these will be provided by NIOSH. Biomechanics staff at NIOSH will conduct human subject studies of select industrial tasks to provide the contractor with laboratory-based observational video, full-body kinematics and kinetics (via a Vicon motion capture system), and simultaneous 2D IMU data. The contractor will select appropriate video cameras, implement published algorithms for 3D volume linearization and visual hulls, and use the NIOSH data set to create a computer-based simulation environment of known motion. Stand-alone deliverables include a report on the success of this work segment, software algorithms directly within Visual3D to implement the computer-based simulation environment at NIOSH, and a tutorial of sufficient detail for NIOSH to independently use the computer-based simulation environment for its own development of MMC, should funding for Optional Work Segments be unavailable. Option 1: Task 2 (expected duration 12 months): The purpose of this work segment is to refine the computer-based simulation environment in parallel with testing of a human surrogate (i.e., a mannequin). The contractor will refine the computer-based simulation environment of known motion, in which MMC algorithms will be implemented and integrated with 2D IMU data (sagittal joint motions), to produce desired full-body kinematics for surrogate human forms (i.e., mannequins). Stand-alone deliverables include the mannequins used to accomplish the goals of this work segment, and a report of sufficient detail for NIOSH to independently use the mannequins for its own development of MMC, should funding for Optional Work Segments be unavailable. Option 2: Tasks 3 and 4 (expected duration 12 months): The purpose of this work segment is to assess the performance of MMC using human subjects. In Task 3, The contractor will provide MMC support for laboratory and field tests of a prototype PBAS that combines 2D IMU data and MMC. This prototype will be validated at NIOSH through additional laboratory-based human subject tests, comparing industrial task kinematics and kinetics obtained from the prototype PBAS and the Vicon system. The prototype will be refined based upon results of the validation tests, and laboratory-based comparisons will be repeated. In Task 4, a prototype will be deployed in at least two field settings for feasibility tests. Stand-alone deliverables include a report detailing the success of MMC in this context, and a User's Guide detailing how to blend 2D IMU data with MMC, to obtain desired biomechanical output directly from Visual3D (especially 3D body kinematics). This project is supported by justification for other than full and open competition to C-Motion, Inc. under authority of 41 U.S.C.253(c)(1). Responsible sources that believe they possess the expertise and capabilities identified above are hereby afforded the opportunity to submit to the Contracting Officer within 15 days from the posting date of this notice, their written capabilities statement and pricing information in the format they choose, not to exceed 10 pages. Please forward capabilities and all other information to Diane Meeder, Contract Specialist, CDC, Procurement and Grants Branch-V, PO Box 18070, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236-0070; email Dmeeder@cdc.gov. All vendors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) prior to an award of a federal contract. The website is: www.ccr.gov. This is not a Request for Proposals; however, the Government will review any/all product, capabilities, and pricing information submitted and determine if other qualified sources do exist that could provide this requirement. Information received in response will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. If no affirmative responses are received within 15 days, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, negotiations will be conducted with C-Motion, Inc., 420030 Century Blvd, Ste 104A, Germantown, MD, 20874-1112. as the only source.
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