PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT

NON-COMPETITIVE

Solicitation: 75N95024Q00510

Title: Inscopix nVue 2.0 System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging

INTRODUCTION

PURSUANT TO FAR Subpart 5.2—Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions, THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF A PROPOSED CONTRACT TO ACTION.   

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME). 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to intends to solicit by a request for quotation from iNSCOPIX for award on or around September 1, 2024.  The purpose of this purchase order will be to provide the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) with Inscopix nVue 2.0 System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE

The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334118 – Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses of the Federal acquisition Requlation (FAR) currently in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC).

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6—Competition Requirements. FAR Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single Source provides that: For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, Contracting officers may solicit from one source IF the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name OR industrial mobilization).

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

Purpose and Objectives

The National institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Section on Cellular and Cognitive Neurodevelopment (SSCN) is to probe the neural substrate of certain diseases and conditions through the development lens. A region of the brain that will be part of a significant focus is the pulvinar nuclei of the thalamus, which has expanded in size, complexity, and function throughout mammalian evolution. Towards this goal the SCCN is to take a multi-technique approach to explore the development of thalamocortical circuits and their plasticity into adulthood. This approach has the potential to identify the neural underpinnings of disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and cortical blindness, as well as help us understand how the brain differentially operates at different stages of life.  To fulfill its mission and continue advancing biomedical research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) the SCCN seeks to integrate new technology that allows scientists to monitor and control the activity of individual neurons in freely behaving animals. 

The nVue 2.0 System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging is a cutting-edge technology platform for visualizing large-scale neural circuit dynamics in freely behaving animals. This unique technological advance enables visualization of neural circuit dynamics of cells with multiple fluorescent labels, ensuring cellular precision using a head-attached miniature microscope. This addition will allow the SCCN lab unique way to incorporate circuit monitoring and perturbation techniques into a variety of behavioral experiments.

Delivery or Deliverables

Delivery: Adrian (Max) Eiden, NIMH, 49 Convent Dr., Bldg. 49 Rm 3A23, Bethesda, MD  20892

Deliverables: 30 days ARO

CLOSING STATEMENT

THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice.

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. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.www.sam.gov.”

All responses must be received by Friday, August  23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, and reference number 75N95024Q00510. Responses may be submitted electronically to Robin Knightly, Contracting Officer, at [email protected].

Fax responses will not be accepted.

Extensions to the deadline will not be granted.

Please contact Robin Knightly, Contracting Officer, at [email protected] or (301) 827-5302 with any questions.