Description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM), on behalf of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases (NIDDK) intends to procure on a sole source basis to Plexon Inc.; 6500 Greenville Ave., Suite 730, Dallas, TX 75206 for custom-made optogenetic equipment. This equipment will be used in conjunction with the Noldus Phenotype cages, to assess behavioral programs in freely-moving mice. The custom-made optogenetic equipment from Plexon is designed specifically to interface with the Noldus Phenotype cages.

To the best of the Governments' knowledge, the Plexon is the only manufacturer which can provide the data acquisition system.

This acquisition is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and is exempt from the requirement of FAR Part 6. There are no set-aside restrictions for this requirement. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System code 334516 with a size standard of 500 Employees. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believed they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NIDDK to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NLM/NIDDK Acquisitions Branch on or before 4:30 PM EST on
August 12, 2013. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax); an original and one copy must be sent to the NLM/NIDDK Acquisitions Branch to the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed to 301-480-4226 or emailed to Sonya Owens-Cobblah, Contract Specialist. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) http://www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NIHLM2013802 on all correspondences.

Confidentiality - No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)."
The contract vehicle is a Firm Fixed price contract.