STREAMLINED SOLICITATIONFOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION COMPETITIVE

Title: Digitizer, a multiclamp microelectrode amplifier and in vitro electrophysiology analysis software

1. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

1. The solicitation number is NIH-NIMH-20004408-RFQ and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5—Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

1. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-01, dated December 2018.

1. The associated NAICS code 334516: Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. Total Small Business set aside

Purpose and Objectives: The Unit on Functional Neural Circuits (UFNC) focuses specific circuits and neuronal types that enable internally generated brain activity to interact with sensation, with emphasis on different types of cortical GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurons. Our project aims to delineate the functional connectivity among related brain areas, to identify the behavioral relevance of these circuits, to understand the computations these circuits perform, and to uncover their developmental specificity and plasticity. One of the aims is identifying different cortical subnetworks during different behavioral conditions. Our study will greatly benefit from using in vivo electrophysiology. This will facilitate our research to achieve more comprehensive understanding of specific neural circuits and the relevant behavior.

Background: One of the aims in the Unit on Functional Neural Circuits is to identify functionally distinct cortical subnetworks during different behavioral conditions. In order to do conduct the experiments, we heavily rely on in vivo electrophysiology which allow us to record neuron activity with hightemporal resolution.

1. Project requirements: The Contractor shall provide brand-name or equivalent to the following specifications:
    

• Multclamp 700B System Catalog # Multiclamp 700B (QTY 1)
  •  Two independent primary headstage, each of which contains circuitry for voltage clamp (resistor-feedback) and fast current clamp (voltage follower) for patch-clamp and cell-attached recording.
  • Rapid automatic mode-switching between current and voltage clamp.
  • Resistor ranges from 50MOhms to 50 GOhms and current-passing between 2nA to 200nA
  • 1 year warranty covering parts and labor
     
• Digidata 1550B Low-Noise Data Acquisition System Catalog # Digidata 1550B4 (QTY 1)
  • Low noise data acquisition system
  • Compatible with multiclamp microelectrode amplifier and patch clamp software for window
  • Elimination 50-60Hz line-frequency noise and associated high frequency harmonics
  • Digital triggering options for flexible interface with other hardware devices
  • More than 8 analog input channels for interface with other hardware devices
  • 1 year warranty covering parts and labor
     
• PCLAMP11 advanced software (QTY 1)
  • 1 year warranty covering parts and labor

1. Anticipated Date of Delivery: 30 days after receipt of order.
    
2. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
    
3. The provision of FAR clause 52.211-6, Brand name or equal (AUG 1999) applies to this acquisition.

1. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(a) The following is an addendum to 52.212-2. Responses received to this RFQ will be evaluated on the basis of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Offeror's submitting a response must provide a completed Price Quote to be evaluated and considered for award. Price quotes must indicate fixed unit pricing and total cost, including shipping cost and estimated time of delivery after receipt of order, and warranty and training considerations.

Responses will be evaluated based on contractor's ability to meet the government's essential requirements stated in this notice and on ability to deliver required supplies. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the Offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the essential government requirements stated in this solicitation. Under the lowest-price technically acceptable (LPTA) process, Offerors' will be determined to be "technically acceptable" or "technically unacceptable" based on the evaluation of responses to determine if, as submitted, the proposal is technically acceptable.