INSTRUMENTED TREADMILL WITH SPLIT BELT AND VARIABLE INCLINE TO MEASURE FORCES A

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1. 1. - Background Information

Since 1848 the University of Ottawa has been Canada’s university and the largest bilingual university in Canada.  At the University of Ottawa, we understand our past and our desired future. The University of Ottawa is a major player in the cultural and economic development of the National Capital Region.

The University of Ottawa is one of Canada's leading research-intensive University. The University of Ottawa fosters excellence and success in research, whether the research is basic or applied, of intrinsic value or of commercial importance. The University of Ottawa considers itself to be Canada's university of the 21st Century by launching new initiatives in emerging areas, promoting collaboration within and across faculties, and providing the milieu in which creativity can flourish.

Further information regarding the University of Ottawa can be found on the Web site http://www.uottawa.ca/ 

We hereby invite your company (proponent) to partner with the University of Ottawa in this great project funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund by submitting an offer to this Request for Proposals and by including an in-kind contribution.

Please find attached the Request for Proposals documentation with specifications and the CFI guidelines pricing format to be completed and returned with your proposal.
 

1. 2. - Statement of Requirements
      1. The University of Ottawa is pleased to invite qualified proponents to submit a proposal for a split-belt instrumented treadmill. A split belt with separate sensors for each belt will allow us to measure the forces and torques beneath each foot simultaneously and independently. The incline feature will allow us to study uphill and downhill walking and running by inclining/declining the belts. Instrumented handrails that measure the 3D forces applied to the hands will allow us to study the elderly population and individuals with poor balance. An overhead safety structure and harness will ensure participant safety.

 
                General Description:
 

1. 1. 2. The split-belt instrumented treadmill will allow us to measure the forces and torques applied between the feet and the ground during walking and running. We will measure the forces and torques beneath each foot during walking and running over a broad range of conditions, including at different constant speeds, at different incline/decline angles, and starting/stopping. We will study gait over a broad range of populations, including healthy adults, individuals with poor balance, individuals who use various types of orthoses and prostheses, and individuals carrying backpacks and other equipment. Synchronizing data collection with optical motion capture equipment will be necessary.

 

1. 1. 3. The instrument should allow for the measurement of the forces and torques applied between each foot and the ground. The forces and torques should be measured for each foot synchronously as separate signals, with minimal cross-talk, at a rate of at least 1,000 Hz. The dimensions of the total walking/running surface should be sufficient to allow for walking and running of children and adults (e.g., approx. 1 m wide). The force and torque sensors should be capable of measuring forces and torques generated during high-speed running of an adult (e.g., capable of measuring vertical forces of up to at least 5,000 N). The speed of the belts should be adjustable up to at least 5 m/s (18 km/hr, 11.2 miles/hr) and should be programmable to follow a specified speed profile over time. The acceleration of the belts should be at least 15 m/s² for studying trip/slip conditions. The walking/running surface should be capable of inclining at least 14°. Handrails should be removable and provide measurements of applied forces as three components (Fx, Fy, Fz). An overhead safety structure and harness should be provided. The instrument should operate on 3-phase power at 208 V, 60 Hz, with a NEMA 15-50P plug. The measurement software should be capable of synchronizing with Vicon Nexus.

 

1. 1. 4. The environment in which the instrument will be placed is a regular motion lab at the University of Ottawa. Surrounding equipment includes motion capture cameras, exoskeletons and associated power/actuation equipment, and imaging devices such as biplanar x-ray fluoroscopy.

 

1. 1. 5. A separate document with clear answers to all statements in Appendix A and B is desirable.

                        

1. 1. 6. Specifications listed in Appendix A – Technical Specifications Compliance Form of this RFP are the mandatory minimum requirements for an INSTRUMENTED TREADMILL WITH SPLIT BELT AND VARIABLE INCLINE TO MEASURE FORCES AND TORQUES APPLIED TO THE FEET DURING WALKING AND RUNNING

 

1. 1. 7. Should any equipment included in a proposal be superseded by a newer model during the period between the award of contract and the delivery date, the successful Proponent will be required to inform the University of Ottawa of the new specifications, the newer model pricing will remain the same as what was offered in the RFP. At its sole discretion, the University of Ottawa may opt to make changes from the list of equipment by altering, adding, or deducting some equipment.

 

264102. 2: General Information and SUBMISSION Instructions
        1. - Submission Instructions
           1. Proposals must be submitted exclusively through Merx EBS (Electronic Bid Submission). Each Proponent will submit only one (1) electronic copy of its proposal using Merx Electronic Bid Submission (EBS). The latest version submitted will supersede all others.

 

1. 1. 2. Each Proponent is solely responsible for the delivery of submissions in the manner and time prescribed. The University is not responsible for computer malfunctions, uploading delays or technical difficulties using Merx EBS. Proponents should note that responses are not available to the University for viewing from Merx until after the submission deadline.

To submit a proposal electronically on MERX, Proponents must identify an Authorized Signer and have a MERX account password:

• Authorized Signer – this is the person within the organization who can legally bind the organization to the terms, conditions, articles and obligations of the proposal and any resulting contracts. This does not have to be the person who orders the initial tender documents, nor do they have to be subscribed to MERX. Your organization can only have one Authorized Signer.

Proponents will also be required to enter their MERX account password in order to upload electronic proposal documents. Please note that proposals will be time stamped with the time and date at the completion of the uploading process, not the beginning of the uploading process.

For any assistance or tutorial using the Merx Electronic Bid Submission process, please visit the Merx website: www.merx.com or by contacting them directly at 1-800-964-MERX (6379).

For the purpose of this procurement process, the University Contact shall be:

Ana Lopes
Procurement Officer, Research,
alopes@uottawa.ca
               
No other representative of the University shall be contacted regarding this Request for Proposal.  The University accepts no responsibility for, and the Proponent agrees not to rely upon, any verbal or written statements or representation from any other person employed by the University. Failure to follow this clause shall result in the disqualification of the Proponent.
 

1. 1. 3. Proposals will only be accepted up to the date and time listed in section 2.2.

 

1. 1. 4. Questions and clarifications regarding this RFP must be submitted through Merx using the Question-and-Answer Module, up to the time and date listed in section 2.2. No unsolicited calls, communication or visits will be allowed during the RFP process. Any Proponent who does not conform will be disqualified.

 

1. 1. 5. Proponents submitting proposals for this RFP must adhere to the terms and conditions of this RFP. Any suggested deviations or changes must be submitted during the Question period of the RFP process (see section 2.2) and will be addressed by the University via addenda. Any deviations or changes not submitted during the question period will not be considered during this RFP process.

 

1. 1. 6. Proposal documents must be filled out in accordance with the requirements of this RFP document and addenda (if any).

 

1. 1. 7. Proposals shall be signed by an authorized signatory of the Proponent. If the Proponent is an incorporated company, the corporate seal of the Proponent shall be affixed or a certified true copy of a resolution of the corporation naming the person(s) concerned as authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the corporation shall be attached to the proposal.

 

1. 1. 8. Proponents who are sole proprietorships or partners shall sign their proposal in such a way as to irrevocably bind the Proponent in an authorized manner.

 

1. 1. 9. While the University of Ottawa will not consider more than one proposal from a Proponent under the same or different names, the University of Ottawa may consider, in addition to the original proposal, alternative proposals submitted within the same proposal package providing such are clearly marked as alternatives.

 

1. 2. - Timetable

Proponents shall submit their proposals according to the following timetable and instructions.

Planned EventEnd Date
Posting of RFP on MERX       February 27, 2023
Deadline for Submission of QuestionsMarch 6, 2023, at 3:00:00 PM LOCAL TIME
Submission Deadline for ProposalsMarch 24, 2023, at 3:00:00 PM LOCAL TIME
The University reserves the to change the above-mentioned dates at its sole discretion.

1. 3. - Proposals Submitted Only In Prescribed Manner

 

1. 1. 1. The Proponent’s proposal must be submitted in the following manner:

 

1. 1. 2. The Proponents must submit their proposal using Merx EBS no later than the time and date stated in section 2.2 – Timetable. No other forms of delivery will be accepted by the University.

    
The proposals must be complete and submitted in the prescribed format with the following information:

1. 1. 3. The Proponent must provide two (2) separate attachments (files) containing the Proponent’s proposal labelled in the following manner:

 

1. Attachment #1 Technical/Qualitative Proposal: 41169-3A-RFP-Insert Company Name
2. Attachment #2 Financial Proposal: 41169-3A-RFP-Insert Company Name

 

1. 1. 4. Attachment #1 – Technical/Qualitative Proposal must include the following mandatory documents:

 

1. Appendix A (Technical Specifications Compliance)
2. Appendix B (Rated Criteria)
3. Appendix C (Equipment, Utility, and Environmental Requirements) and all the referenced associated documents
4. Appendix D (Supplemental Information)
5. Appendix E (Reference Consent Form)
6. Appendix F (Submission Declaration Form)
7. Appendix I (Proponent’s Checklist Form)
8. All supporting technical documentation for the proposal
9. Detailed quotation without pricing
10. Bottom of every page of RFP initialled

 

1. 1. 5. Attachment #2 – Financial Proposal must include the following mandatory documents:

 

1. Appendix G (Pricing Structure Form)
2. Appendix H (Price Schedule Form)
3. Detailed quotation with pricing

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.