The VA Technology Acquisition Center in Eatontown New Jersey posted a Request for Information (RFI) on December 2, 2015 with the response due December 16, 2015 on www.fbo.gov to help the VA obtain information on finalizing the “Mobile Hearing Aid Distance Fitting Application” (HADFA).
The VA Center for Innovation (VACI) developed the mobile HADFA prototype with Phonak Hearing Systems for use with Android and iOS smartphones for nationwide use. The main objective was to increase patient access to audio-logical services and thereby reduce costs and inconveniences associated with medical travel.
VACI and Phonak have conducted an in depth evaluation of the HADFA system by studying how the prototype can enable audiologists to program an individual’s hearing aid while in their own home. They found that an audiologist was able to successfully connect to the hearing aids in 95 percent of the appointments.
VACI is looking for additional HADFA solutions for use with a patient’s smartphones to include additional features such as a wireless connection between the smartphone and hearing aid and fitting device and the ability to video conference over Wi-Fi from the users’ smartphone.
The RFI was released so that interested parties could respond with the information to be used as part of market research by the VA and then used to develop the acquisition strategy. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received from this RFI will be the result of a competitive process.
This is a Request for Information only and the VA is not soliciting proposals or quotes. Go to www.fbo.gov, then go to (Keyword/Solicitation #)—then put in the solicitation number VA11816R0911 for the document “Request for Information Mobile Hearing Aid Distance Fitting Application”. The point of contact is Joseph Pignataro Contract Specialist at joseph.pignataro@va.gov or call 732-795-1115