Request for Information SOS Requirement

Request for Information (RFI)

1. RFI Number: HT9426-27-LBA-02-RFI

2. RFI Title: Severe Ocular Surface (SOS) Support and Training Services 3. Agency: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) 4. Office: U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) / Defense Health Agency (DHA)
5. Contracting Office: Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity (DHACA), 808 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702
6. Location: Site 1: Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) – Joint Base San Antonio, Texas and Site 2: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Edgewood, Kentucky

7. Background:

Ocular surface injuries can occur during combat operations and may result in visual disability that adversely affects warfighter readiness and long-term quality of life. Severe ocular surface injuries, including chemical, thermal, blast-related, and other complex anterior segment injuries, are difficult to manage and often require prolonged, highly specialized medical and surgical care.
This program will develop and sustain military capability to recognize, treat, and manage patients with severe ocular surface injuries throughout the continuum of care. The program will provide structured clinical education, surgical training, virtual consultation, and standardized educational resources for military eye care providers. The effort will strengthen the Military Health System’s ability to care for patients with severe ocular surface injuries, including patients requiring ocular surface stem cell transplantation and long-term postoperative management. This capability will be developed through in-person clinical and surgical training for military corneal surgeons; weekly virtual case consultations with subject-matter experts in ocular surface disease; interdisciplinary training for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and nursing personnel; and development of an educational module for military eye care providers that addresses recognition, initial management, referral, and long-term care of severe ocular surface injuries.
8. Objective and Purpose: The main objectives are summarized as follows: Objective 1: Train four military corneal surgeons in ocular surface stem cell transplantation techniques and associated preoperative and postoperative management through recurring in-person clinical and surgical training.

Objective 2: Train four military corneal surgeons in the evaluation, treatment planning, and preoperative and postoperative management of severe ocular surface injuries through weekly virtual case consultations with ocular surface experts.