Hypobaric Chamber Pilot Studies

Attachment A – SOW 7/15/2026 80JSC026Q0006 - 1 - Statement of Work (SOW) for Hypobaric Chamber Pilot Studies The objective of this pilot hypobaric chamber testing is to support NASA decompression sickness (DCS) testing. Facilities are to perform 3 test days, collecting and recording data each day as they would for a research protocol. The first day of testing may be considered a practice session with the recognition that some facility and/or hardware integration issues may arise. The second day of testing should be scheduled after issues from the previous run have been resolved, and testing should be completed without interruption, unless otherwise indicated. The third day of testing should occur in the same work week as the second test day to demonstrate the facility’s capability to perform multiple runs within one week, a capability that is needed to meet NASA testing throughput and schedule to support Artemis. NASA’s own facilities will support this work in part but are shared with other operationally relevant tasks/programs, limiting NASA facilities’ overall availability and impacting scheduling and completion of critical work. Identification and validation of non-NASA resources to support these DCS research objectives are important steps to facilitating safe and successful prebreathe procedures and extravehicular activity (EVA) in weightlessness and during exploration missions. Under this Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, the contractor shall provide all necessary management, personnel, training, materials, equipment, and facilities to complete all required tasks and deliverables. Subjects Facilities will recruit and screen applicants to provide minimum of 2 subjects for each of the 3 test days to fulfill the requirements described above. Each test day is anticipated to last approximately 13 hours. Each of the 3 single-day runs will have unique subjects. Screening back-up subjects in case of subject availability issues, withdrawal, or disqualification is highly recommended. Facilities should screen subjects per their standard protocols, and the subject pool should include females to demonstrate their capabilities to recruit and test this important population. NASA will provide inclusion and exclusion criteria for a population demographic similar to the astronaut corps. As part of the screening process, subjects must pass a medical examination similar to a private-pilot flight physical and complete a peak (maximal) oxygen consumption (VO 2pk) test using a cycle ergometer protocol with metabolic gas analysis. NASA will provide the VO 2pk cycle ergometry test protocol. To qualify for participation, subjects must achieve VO 2pk >27.5 ml/kg/min. Following the screening, subjects will participate in a familiarization session during which they will receive verbal and written description of the test protocol, be encouraged to ask questions, and will provide written informed consent before proceeding to participation. Thereafter, subjects will be familiarized with the chamber protocol and safety procedures, the appropriate mask size will be determined, and the subjects will practice mask breathing. Subjects also will be familiarized with the EVA simulation workstations, and metabolic rate will be measured while performing all 8 activity/rest stations (submaximal exercise intensity) to verify the cadence or work rates required for the in-chamber exercise prescription. -- 1 of 7 -- Attachment A – SOW 7/15/2026 80JSC026Q0006 - 2 - Standardized Test Day Facilities will implement a test plan that includes a 6.5-hour prebreathe followed by a simulation of EVA lasting 6 hours, or until signs and symptoms that require test termination (per NASA and facility standards), test termination by subject request, or facility or monitoring capabilities malfunctions. These sessions will include successful mask operations and demonstration of safety procedures. An additional 30 minutes should be allotted for repressurization and post-test monitoring. Medical Monitoring The facility will provide the appropriate medical support to perform pre-chamber physical examination before ingress, during the protocol, for treatment and management of subjects as needed, clearance of subjects after the protocol is completed, and follow-up in the days after the chamber run, as required. Responsibilities of the medical personnel include monitoring and grading of 2-D ultrasound venous gas emboli as well as monitoring of the subject’s self-report and symptoms of DCS or intolerance. Prebreathe Conditions Facilities will demonstrate the capabilities to perform 100% O 2 prebreathe durations up to 6.5 hours. Subjects will begin mask breathing at the start of the prebreathe and remain on mask through decompression and until repressurization is completed. Subjects should be provided fluids ad libitum without a break in prebreathe (using drink port). NASA will provide breathing masks or provide approval for a suitable substitution. Food will be allowed prior to start of mask prebreathe but not during the test protocol (for 13 hours). Subjects also are not allowed to sleep during the test protocol. EVA Simulation Facilities will demonstrate their capacity to perform a simulated 6-hour EVA and maintain standardized monitoring practices. To simulate the suit environment, the chamber will depress to 5.2 psia before initiating the EVA simulation tasks described below. The start time of the EVA is defined by the start of depressurization , and the end time of the EVA is defined by the start of repressurization. Target press/depress rates will be at an average 3000ft/min, not to exceed 5000ft/min EVA simulation will include rotation of each subject through a repetitive series of tasks at predetermined intervals in a pre-determined order using NASA-defined or NASA-provided workstations (Figure 1). The EVA is simulated using eight stations, nominally performed in 2 cycles of 4 stations, with subjects rotating between stations every 5 minut…