Description:
This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:
The Functional MRI Facility (FMRIF) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) operates a unique actively shielded Government-owned 7 Tesla Siemens Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system (FL# 400-342363 FMRIF-7T), located in Building 10 (room B1D710), within the in-vivo NMR Center on behalf of the intramural research programs of NIMH and NINDS. This acquisition is in support of this magnet and its operation as research system for NIMH and NINDS. NIMH requires a maintenance agreement for the 7T MRI scanner, which was originally manufactured by Siemens Medical Solutions.

This system is currently covered by an extended service contract , including magnet maintenance and repair for the 7T-830/AS, which expires on August 9th, 2016. FMRIF-7T is the only operational human 7 Tesla MRI system at NIH, making it a unique resource within the NIH intramural research program

Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of this acquisition is to provide a maintenance agreement for the Siemens Medical Solutions 7T MRI Scanner and 7T-830/AS magnet (FL# 400-342363) owned by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Project requirements:
Full service maintenance coverage for the following components:
Siemens Medical Solutions 7T MRI Scanner
7T 830/AS magnet (FL# 400-342363)
Maintenance services must be performed by an authorized service provider for this equipment.

Anticipated period of performance:
August 10, 2016 through August 9, 2017 with one Option Year from August 10, 2017 through August 9, 2018

Capability statement /information sought:
Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specificed in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details of the respondents' (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and other management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information.

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

Finally, respondents are also encouraged to provide a general overview of the respondent's opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement, and any other information regarding innovative ideas or concepts that may be applicable.

Submission Instructions:
One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to:
Pamela Daugherty
Contract Specialist
NIH/NIDA/SSSA 
[email protected]

Disclaimer and Important Notes:
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

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)."