Scope:
Recent advances in artificial intelligence software and observational technologies aimed at studying human behaviour have dramatically changed the landscape for social science research and methodology. To keep up with the current trends and ensure the longstanding quality and impact of social science research at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa), the Telfer School of Management and uOttawa Faculty of Arts are collaborating to build a state-of-the-art behavioural research lab (Triple-I Lab), equipped with the modern technology required to study minute human social interactions, behaviours, communications, and emotions in individual, dyadic, and group settings. The Triple-I Lab will consist of a physical lab space composed of several research rooms that will require observational research technology, including a large classroom-like room (DMS2175), a mid-sized boardroom (DMS2170), and four small breakout rooms (DMS2170E-H). The lab will also consist of a control room, facilitator office, waiting room, interview room ( DMS2170J), kitchenette, and storage space. Through this RFP, we are seeking to purchase a “turn-key” solution that will consist of an integrated software and hardware system for observing, recording, and analyzing human behaviour. In addition to equipping the research rooms, we require equivalent portable lab capabilities so that researchers can collect similar data in field settings.The Triple-I Lab will be designated a Core Facility at uOttawa. As a result of this designation, a fundamental priority for the lab is that it is designed to fit the research needs of a wide range of social scientists studying human behaviour and social interactions from within and beyond the uOttawa community. It is imperative that the lab technology be user friendly.
Requirements:
The integrated lab systems are expected to include the following components; or proposed
alternative setups capable of producing the desired results. Below, we describe the equipment
needed for the stationary lab, covering research rooms DMS2175, DMS2170, DMS2170E-H,
DMS2170J, and DMS2170B/C. We also provide details regarding the necessary components
for the portable lab and a physiological data collection system. Finally, we describe the
encompassing software tools that are required to be integrated into the stationary lab and
portable lab technologies:
3.1. Large ‘Classroom’ Research Room (DMS2175) (75.1 sq. meters)
3.1.1. Minimum 6 Internet Protocol (IP) pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras. Cameras to
be installed in a way that provides comprehensive coverage of room, including
multiple angles.
3.1.2. Proponent to supply 15 tablets
3.1.3. Omni-directional ceiling microphones capable of recording all spoken
communication within room size (see Appendix G – Drawing Package).
3.1.4. Wireless lavalier microphone (x2).
3.1.5. Push to talk system with ceiling speaker and wireless earpiece and
microphone.
3.1.6. Integrated screen capture feature for a pre-existing projector screen that will
be set up in room.
3.1.7. Integrated screen capture feature for two interactive touch monitors that will
be set up in the room.
3.1.8. Digital cameras with integrated audio (x20) with (x6) full-sized extendable
tripods and (x14) extendable mini tripods, with case for storage.
3.1.9. Wall jacks (x6) for additional cameras.
3.2. Mid-Sized Boardroom Research Lab Room (DMS2170) (42.8 sq. meters)
3.2.1. Minimum 4 Internet Protocol (IP) pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras. Cameras to
be installed in a way that provides comprehensive coverage of room, including
multiple angles.
3.2.2. Omni-directional ceiling microphones fully integrated into lab system and capable of recording all spoken communication within room (see Appendix G - Drawing Package).
3.2.3. Wireless tabletop microphone (x1).
3.2.4. Push to talk system with ceiling speaker and wireless earpiece.
3.2.5. Integrated screen capture feature for two interactive touch monitors that will be set up in the room.
3.2.6. Wall jacks (x4) for additional cameras.
3.3. (4) Small Breakout Rooms (DMS2170E-H) (approximately 9.2 sq. meters – each room)
3.3.1. Minimum 8 (2 per room) Internet Protocol (IP) pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras. The cameras to be installed in a way that provides comprehensive coverage of room, including multiple angles.
3.3.2. Omni-directional ceiling microphone(s) fully integrated into lab system and capable of recording all spoken communication within room (room size see Appendix G - Drawing Package).
3.3.3. Push to talk system with ceiling speaker and wireless earpiece.
3.3.4. Screen capture feature for PC screens that will be available in each room.
3.3.5. Wall jacks (x8; 2 per room) for additional cameras.
3.3.6. 4 screen-based eye trackers.
3.4. Interview Room (DMS2170J)
3.4.1. Wall jacks (x4) for cameras included in portable lab (see section 3.6 Integrated Portable Lab below).
3.5. Control Room (DMS2170B/C) with Control Rack.
3.5.1. Integrated equipment rack including all required audio mixers, and receivers.
3.5.2. Rack-mounted server with 8 TB hard drive (x4).
3.5.3. Minimum 16 GB internal RAM for recording PCs (x4).
3.5.4. Rack-mounted UPS (x4, one per PC).
3.6. Integrated Portable Lab for Field Data Collection.
3.6.1. Digital cameras (x4) with integrated audio and remote-control features, with compatible wall jacks and mounts to be installed in DMS2170J (x4).
3.6.2. Full-sized extendable tripods (x2), and mini extendable tripods (x2).
3.6.3. Wireless tabletop microphone.
3.6.4. Laptop.
3.6.5. All required cables and hardware.
3.6.6. Hardshell carrying case for cameras, laptop, microphone, and tripods.
3.7. Integrated Physiological Data Collection System.
3.7.1. Equipment and associated software for monitoring physiological measures of RSP, ECG, and EDA while accommodating the simultaneous data collection from a minimum of four participants. The equipment and associated software must be integrated into the proposed solution. Ambulatory blood pressure monitors to be provided by uOttawa.
3.8. Integrated Lab Software Components.
3.8.1. Automatic facial expression analysis and recognition software.
3.8.2. Event logging software.
3.8.3. Multi-video and audio recording software.
3.9. Technical, Operational and Organizational Environment
3.9.1. Proponent to complete all of the applicable wiring, including cabling and connections, during the installation of their proposed solution.
3.9.2. LCD screens will be provided by uOttawa.
3.9.3. Proponent is to provide the Audio/Visual servers and corresponding racks.
3.9.4. If the solution will be integrated with Azure Active Directory, the proponent will be required to work with the University of Ottawa’s IT team to help set up any necessary configurations, especially but not limited to single sign-on (Azure Active Directory) and access controls.
3.9.5. The proponent’s solution must work within the provided lab infrastructure (Appendix G - Drawing Package). If changes to the infrastructure of the lab are required, it will be the sole responsibility of the selected proponent; at no additional cost for uOttawa.
3.9.6. All network switches will be procured and installed by uOttawa’s IT department for security reasons. The switches provided are Cisco switches type 9300. All the ports are POE+ and with 1gig capability. The uplink is a port channel of 2 x 10 gig links.
3.9.7. There will be 17 simultaneous licensed users at any given time during peak capacity. The proposed solution must be capable of handling said volume.
3.9.8. The proponent is to provide 15 tablets for use by participants during face-toface work simulations (Android 10 inch, 32GB).
3.9.9. Dell Desktops will be provided by uOttawa. The proponent is to ensure that their proposed solution will perform as intended.
Mandatory Requirements:
1 - Technology and Equipment for Rooms DMS2170, DMS2170E-H, DMS2175, DMS2170J, DMS2170B/C
1.01 The wall mounted IP PTZ cameras must come with corresponding wall mounts and wall jacks; must have a minimum of 18 (minimum 6 to be installed in DMS2175; minimum 4 to be installed in 2170; minimum 2 per room in DMS2170 E-H).
1.02 Must have omni-directional ceiling microphones to be installed in rooms DMS2170, DMS2170E-H, and DMS2175; the microphones must be fully integrated into the lab system; must demonstrate functional capabilities to record all spoken communication within each room according to room size (see Appendix G “Drawing Package” for room dimensions).
1.03 Must have a minimum of 2 wireless lavalier microphones; the lavalier microphones must be fully integrated into the lab system (DMS2175).
1.04 The screen-based eye trackers must have a minimum frame rate of 60 Hz; must be able to capture eye gaze, and blink rates, and dwell times at a minimum; must have a minimum of 4 (one per computer in rooms DMS2170E-H); must be fully integrated with the lab system, including event analysis and facial recognition software described within this RFP.
1.05 The push-to-talk system to be installed in Rooms DMS2170, DMS2170EH, and DMS2175 must be equipped with all necessary ceiling speakers, wireless microphone and earpiece; must be set up so that the experimenter can be in Room DMS2170B/C; must be fully integrated with the lab system.
1.06 Must include 15 tablets (Android 10 inch, 32GB)
1.07 Must include 20 digital cameras. The 20 digital cameras with integrated audio must come with 6 extendable full-sized tripods and 14 extendable mini tripods; must come with a case for storage.
1.08 Integrated screen capture for 1 projector screen in DMS2175; must be fully integrated with the lab system.
1.09 Integrated screen capture for the 2 wall mounted touch screens in DMS2170, 1 wall mounted touch screen in DMS 2175, and 4 desktop PCs in DMS2170E-H; must be fully integrated with the lab system.
1.10 One tabletop wireless microphone (for DMS2170 and portable lab).
1.11 The physiological data collection system must include reliable equipment for monitoring physiological measures of RSP, ECG, and EDA; must be able to accommodate the simultaneous data collection of a minimum of four participants; must come with all required consumables and operational software; must be fully integrated into the lab system.
1.12 The four wall mounts and wall jacks installed in DMS2170J must be compatible with digital cameras associated with the portable lab (Mandatory 2.01).
1.13 The control room (DMS2170B/C) must be equipped with the following: (1) an integrated equipment rack including all required audio mixers, receivers, and switches; (2) Rack-mounted recording PCs (x4), minimum 16 GB internal RAM; (3) Rack-mounted UPSs (x4, one per PC); (4) All required cables and connections.
2 - Equipment for Portable Lab
2.01 The portable lab must include a minimum of 4 digital cameras that have integrated audio and remote-control features.
2.02 The portable lab must include a laptop with minimum specifications required to operate all corresponding hardware and software components of the portable lab; must integrate with the components of the physical/stationary lab described in Section 1 of this table.
2.03 The portable lab must include a minimum of two full-sized extendable tripods and two mini extendable tripods.
2.04 The portable lab must include all required cables and hardware necessary to operate as a unit; with the exception of a PoE switch, which will be provided and installed by uOttawa IT.
2.05 The portable lab must include a hard-shell carrying case for all equipment (digital cameras, laptop, tripods, and cables).
3 - Integrated Lab Software Components
3.01 Automatic facial expression analysis and recognition software that must rely on Facial Action Coding System (FACS). Software must: (a)Be capable of analyzing emotional valence in live and recorded videos with synchronized audio. (b) Accommodate multiple video codecs and photo file formats. (c) Automatically capture and integrate audio and video data inputs onto an accurate coding timeline. (d)At a minimum, recognize, code, and provide output regarding the basic emotions in adult humans. (e)Provide output regarding valence of facial expressions and arousal intensity. (f) Be able to permit live analyses. (g)Be able to code and analyze discrete facial movements. (h) Fully integrate with screen-based eye tracking devices described in Section 1.04 of this table. (i) Demonstrate an ability to identify changes in emotional expression following experimental stimuli. (j) Include a minimum of 5 years of software updates and upgrades.
3.02 Event logging software that facilitates the collection and analysis of observational data in live and recorded videos. Must: (a) Offer features that allow researchers to set up experimental protocol, create pre-determined coding scheme, collect data, analyze data, and offer presentation features. (b)Accommodate a range of common video and audio file formats. (c) Offer reliability analyses among multiple coders (i.e., determine the level of agreement between multiple coders) and within a single coder across coded observations (d) Provide coding for frequency, duration, and sequential analyses (i.e., determine the extent to which an event is preceded or followed by another event). (e)Be fully integrated with other components of the lab system, including but not limited to: eye tracking device data, facial expression data collected via facial recognition software, physiological data system, and portable lab data collection. Must demonstrate accurate synchronization between all components in the system. (f) Allow for a minimum of 5 simultaneous users/coders. (g) Provide capacity for live coding of observational data. (h) Provide capacity to offer remote coding (i.e., coders can code away from physical lab space). (i) Have the capacity to visualize the data in graphs and save graphs in the following file formats jpeg, .png, .bmp, .tiff. (j) Have the ability to export data and analysis results in at least one of the following formats: .xlsx; .txt; .csv
3.03 Multi-video and audio recording software that facilitates the simultaneous video and audio recordings across the multiple research rooms described above and the portable lab field research. Must: (a) Integrate with push-to-talk features required in research rooms to accommodate researcher communication with participants. (b)Offer features to be able to mark events during live recording. (c) Offer features for immediate playback of recordings. (d)Demonstrate ability to conduct multiple studies back-to-back. (e) Allow users to preselect location for where datafiles will be stored. (f) Offer features to control cameras independently, including start and stop, changing direction of angle, and changing levels of zoom, from the control room. (g)Demonstrate the ability to preprogram cameras so that they can be controlled simultaneously as a block. (h)Demonstrate the ability to preprogram camera recordings according to a schedule (i.e., ability to pre-set start and stop recording). (i) Demonstrate synchronization between audio and video. (j) Offer ability to set up different user profiles, including an experimenter profile where the user can run studies but cannot modify study parameters. (k) Be fully integrated (or allow for full integration) with all other lab components and ensure accurate synchronisation with all sources of data collection (i.e., eye trackers, facial recognition software, physiological system, cameras, microphones, portable lab). (l) Offer features that will keep track of which user creates recording, views recordings, and edits/modifies recordings.
4 - Integrated Physiological Data Collection System
4.01 The proponent must provide equipment and associated software for monitoring physiological measures of RSP, ECG, and EDA while accommodating the simultaneous data collection from a minimum of four participants. The equipment and associated software must be integrated into the proposed solution.
