RUNNING THE OPTIONS
Te other transaction agreement mechanism enables discussions with potential performers throughout the process to develop better requirements for projects to meet the needs of both mili- tary and commercial health care markets. Tis type of interaction is usually not allowed through typical contracting and grants processes.
MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITIES MRMC is committed to ensuring that businesses are provided with maximum opportunities to compete for procurements. Tere are several systems and portals that enable academia and indus- try to submit ideas and research.
Te command recognizes that unsolicited proposals with unique and innovative products or ideas that have been developed outside of the government can help it accomplish its mission. MRMC uses the New Products and Ideas (NPI) system as a mechanism to evaluate new products and ideas, currently configured or in development, that support the mission.
Te NPI is a web-based system that provides a means for our subject matter experts to assess these products and ideas, evalu- ate their applicability and provide feedback to the submitter. It gives academia and industry an opportunity to showcase their products or ideas without needing to travel to Fort Detrick and without giving anyone an unfair competitive advantage. After the submitter enters data, an expert receives the information and provides feedback within 60 days.
Additionally, NPI gives the public direct access to the scien- tific expertise of DOD. It is open to the public so anyone can submit ideas or information. NPI has been a successful avenue for submission, giving submitters the opportunity to obtain feed- back without an extensive process.
No funding is associated with NPI, but it allows for construc- tive feedback that can help with developing and refining the ideas that are submitted. Recent submissions to NPI resulted in further collaborative ventures for products in such areas as combat casualty care, military operational medicine, burn treat- ment, infectious diseases and surgery.
OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS Te mission of MRMC’s Office of Small Business Programs is to maximize opportunities for various categories of small businesses to compete for procurements as either a prime or subcontractor and to forge strategic business alliances. Te office is committed
70 Army AL&T Magazine January-March 2019
FOCUS: WARFIGHTER NEEDS
The 2018 Military Health System Research Symposium focuses on the unique medical needs of the warfighter. The symposium consisted of more than 75 breakout sessions, 90 exhibits and 1,400 poster presentations. (Photo by Leticia Hopkins, MRMC Public Affairs)
to supporting small businesses in their pursuit to provide prod- ucts, services and solutions that sustain our nation’s warfighters. Te organization’s goal is to ensure that small businesses remain an integral part of MRMC’s business solutions. For informa- tion about the MRMC Small Business Office, go to http://small
busopps.amedd.army.mil/.
CONCLUSION Military forces will continue to seek advanced medical prod- ucts and devices to support their missions. Te process needs streamlining—with requirement approval currently taking two to three years and technology moving so quickly, the technol- ogy may become obsolete before it is even implemented. Te goal is to get products requested by the warfighters in their hands as quickly as possible.
Although the acquisition process may provide challenges, it also includes a necessary system of checks and balances to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, affordable and sustainable solutions to service members.
For more information and for details on working with MRMC, go to
http://mrmc.amedd.army.mil.
ELIZABETH LAMIE is a writer and content development special- ist for the Public Affairs Office at Fort Detrick, providing contract support to MRMC for eLittle Communications Group. She has more than 15 years of experience researching and writing for publi- cations and companies, and holds a B.A. in English from George Mason University.
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