NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE NORAXON ULTIUM PORTABLE BIOMECHANICS LAB, ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT TOOL

Noraxon Ultium Portable Biomechanics Lab, Ergonomic Assessment Tool. The Ergonomics Branch currently is using a best guess estimate to determine the level of musculoskeletal stress workers experience when working. The true level of musculoskeletal risk is not being quantified. The Ergonomics Branch is unable to provide quantifiable data to the customer pertaining to benefits from a workstation redesign or changes to tools/equipment the Soldier/worker use. Using a best guess approach rather than making recommendations based on measurable data is a disservice to our customers and does not meet the intent of DCPH-A, OHS goal of reducing workplace injuries. The requested equipment will increase the accuracy, capability and capacity of the Ergonomics Branch to support the safety and occupational health of our Military and Civilian employees. The requested system allows the ergonomics program to capture objective, lab quality data, on-site in a few minutes using sensors and software to analyze collected data and assess risk exposure using established ergonomics assessment tools such as NIOSH lift equation (used in musculoskeletal hazard assessment portion of health hazard assessments), Liberty Mutual Manual Material Handling, Lumbar Disc Compression Analysis, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, Rapid Entire Body Assessment, and Static/Dynamic Posture Analysis. This is in support of a approved Deployment Health Funding project.