21-002794 - Purchase Description Liquid Helium NIF.doc

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose: The Neurophysiology Imaging Facility (NIF) core maintains a 60 cm bore 4.7T vertical MRI scanner that has an absolute requirement for a steady supply of liquid helium to cool the superconducting magnet. We anticipate at least eigh (8) delivery orders for 250L of liquid helium to fill the magnet from May 2021 to May 2022.

2. Background Information and Objective: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is one of the most impressive tools of mondern medicine, allowing for the viusualization of normal and pathological tissues in the body. In no field has imaging impacted biomedical research more than in the stufy of the brain, for which MR allows one to visualize not only neural structures but also neural function. Functional MR imaging, commonly known as fMRI, is typically used for research to interrogate diverse aspects of brain function in humans such as the neural underpinnings of perception, action, reward, and decision making. At the root of all such advanced research is basic science research in which animal models serve a vital role in developing and understanding MR techniques before they can be safely applied to humans.

The Neurophysiology Imaging Facility (NIF) is a centralized core facility that brings together a broad range of techniques to provide the most integrated and efficient study of brain physiology in nonhuman primates. The NIF core facility is a shared intramural resource contributed by three instintutes at the NIH – NIMH, NINDS, and NEI – centering on a cutting edge 60 cm bore 4.7T vertical MR scanner. The superconducting magnet has an absolute requirement for cooling by constant replenishment of liquid helium. Improper maintenance of this instrument would result in catastrophic damage and an abrupt cessation of all associated research activities.

3. Generic Name of Product: Industrial standard grade liquid helium.

4. Purchase Description: Liquid Helium, 250L, shipped in a single dewar container of 250L, each dewar outfitted with a pressure gauge and an electric powered pressure builder to maintain 4 psi pressure.

5. Salient characteristics

· 250 L of industrial standard liquid helium in a single 250 L standard dewar

· Dewars must have a pressure gauge and an electric pressure builder capable of maintaining 4 psi pressure

· Vendor must be able to fulfill requests with a minimum lead time of one week but not to exceed two weeks.

· Vendor must be able to fill a minimum of eight (8) delivery orders over the course of this contract (May 2021 to May 2022).

· The above criteria represent the Government’s minimum acceptable standards.

6. Quantity: Eight (8) delivery orders

7. Requested Delivery Date:

· 5/13/2021

· 7/1/2021

· 8/19/2021

· 10/7/2021

· 11/25/2021

· 1/13/2022

· 2/3/2022

· 4/21/2022 Ordering of individual shipments will be coordinated directly between Dr. Ye and the vendor.

8. Period of Performance: 5/13/2021 to 5/12/2022

9. Option(s): Option Year 1 - 5/13/2022-5/12/2023 & Option Year 2 – 5/13/2023-5/12/2024 Version 11-30-2016-1

FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs