36C24E18Q0051-000.docx

FedBizOpps Sources Sought Notice

CLASSIFICATION CODE

SUBJECT

CONTRACTING OFFICE'S

ZIP-CODE

SOLICITATION NUMBER

RESPONSE DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)

ARCHIVE

DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

NAICS CODE

CONTRACTING OFFICE

ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT

(POC Information Automatically Filled from User Profile Unless Entered)

DESCRIPTION

See Attachment

AGENCY'S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT'S EMAIL

ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field FedBizOpps Sources Sought Notice Rev. March 2010 Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology Workstation (Inverted Microscope & Accessories) 15212-5319 36C24E18Q0051 02-19-2018 N 334516 US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Service Area Office (SAO) East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh PA 15212-5319 The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Office of Research and Development (R&D), Service Area Office – East in Pittsburgh, PA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Micro Video Instruments (MVI), Incorporated, of Avon, Massachusetts. The requirement is for the contractor to provide and ship the equipment (listed below) to the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Health Care System in West Haven, Connecticut.

The requirement is for one (1) Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology Workstation (inclusive of inverted microscope and all accessories). Each of the items within this system is compatible and interchangeable with the existing patch-clamp setup. It is extremely important that Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology Workstation be compatible with the equipment already in place because the total cost is significantly reduced to the VA when this occurs.

The Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology Workstation must include the following:

1) NIKON inverted microscope: Each of the patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations has a NIKON inverted microscope with which to visualize the cells and perform patch-clamp recordings from live neurons. The existing six patch-clamp workstations possess the appropriate model (Ti2-U research inverted microscope) and options (20x and 40x extra-long working distance objectives with NAMC contrast enhancement for visualizing the neurons, a set of filter cubes to visualize the most common fluorescent stains, a fluorescence illumination light source, and additional light path options to accommodate image capture with a digital camera) that are equal among all the patch-clamp workstations.

2) Image acquisition software: Each of the patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations has a tightly integrated image acquisition system. The software (NIS-Elements) is developed and supported by NIKON to fully take advantage of all the features of NIKON microscopes. The standardization on this software means that all the researchers need only learn the one software interface and can help each other with tips and constructive feedback on the advanced uses of the software.

3) Digital camera: MVI works with the Connecticut Health Care System to match digital cameras that are current in features and known to be compatible with the NIS-Elements software. Digital camera technology rapidly evolves but by ensuring compatibility with NIS-Elements, the various digital cameras currently deployed in the patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations are functionally interoperable.

4) Precision micromanipulator: The patch-clamp electrophysiology workstation must have a precision micromanipulator specifically designed to hold the highly sensitive electrophysiology recording probe. The probe includes a holder for the glass micropipette which will be positioned to just touch the cell membrane surface of a selected neuron. The precision micromanipulator needs to be strong enough to be able to hold the weight of the probe steady so that unintended movement (drift) is less than 1 micrometer per hour. The manipulator also needs to be able to move smoothly under operator control in order to find and then position the glass micropipette towards the selected cell. All the current patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations utilize motorized precision micromanipulators with a remote-control unit that can be placed away from the microscope to minimize adding vibrations or other unintended movement of the glass micropipette during the positioning phase. These kinds of precision micromanipulators have been specifically designed for the patch-clamp application.

5) Vibration isolation table: To minimize drift and vibrations, the precision micromanipulator is sturdily mounted directly to the microscope and then the microscope and manipulator are placed onto a vibration isolation table. The vibration isolation table is capable of reducing the small movements caused by fans from the HVAC system, the opening and closing of doors, and the movement of trucks on nearby roads. The vibration isolation table accomplishes this by utilizing a specially designed tabletop that has very low flexibility and then this tabletop is placed onto a base that utilizes pneumatic feet to “float” the tabletop that further isolates any vibrations from propagating to the microscope and manipulator.

6) Patch-clamp amplifier: The recording of the electrical behavior of neurons is obtained using an extremely sensitive electronic amplifier designed to measure the kinds of signals that neurons exhibit. Each of the patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations utilize the EPC-10 patch-clamp amplifier.

7) Patch-clamp software: The capture of the electrical behavior of neurons is controlled by software designed to perform user-defined stimulation protocols. The software also needs to be able to interface with the patch-clamp amplifier in order to take advantage of all of the amplifier capabilities. For this reason, each of the patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations is supplies with the PatchMaster patch-clamp software. As stated before, by standardizing each of the patch-clamp electrophysiology workstations with the amplifier and software, the workstations are interoperable which leads to higher productivity and the ability to swap components if one fails.

The sole source is pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a single source (1), for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer no later than Monday, February 19, 2018, (4:00 PM, EST). Interest/capability statements may be sent by email to Mr. Robin Simmons at robin.simmons@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.