75N91022Q00149_Special Notice.pdf

Title: Procurement of component parts to one (1) Government-owned Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner

Document Type: Special Notice of Intent to Sole Source Solicitation Number: 75N91022Q00149 Posted Date: 7/28/2022 Response Date: 8/2/2022

Classification Code: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies NAICS Code: 335999 – All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and

Component Manufacturing

Contracting Office Address:

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E136, Rockville, MD

20850, UNITED STATES.

Description:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Radiation Biology Branch (RBB) requires component parts to one (1) Government-owned Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner.

The Office of Acquisitions (OA) plans to procure, on a sole source basis, the component parts from Tesla Engineering Limited (Water Lane Storrington, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 3EA, United Kingdom).

The response close date of this notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b).

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1); and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 335999 – All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing.

1.0 BACKGROUND

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Radiation Biology Branch (RBB) requires component parts to one (1) Government-owned Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner.

Tumor oxygen status is an important determinant of appropriate treatment regimens with radiation and chemotherapy. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) imaging produces non-invasive and quantitative maps of tissue partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in live animals. The pO2 imaging experiments conducted on the Government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner have successfully studied several mouse models of human cancers and evaluated several treatment regimens. The required component parts shall facilitate this pre-clinical research that has potential for clinical translation. The Government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner serves multiple laboratories within the Radiation Biology Branch and is critical to their research.

The Government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner is customized with proprietary Radio

Frequency (RF) technology, developed by the RBB, to conduct EPR imaging using an oxygen sensing tracer. The tracer, upon injection in-vivo, can be imaged by placing the in-vivo specimen within the Low Field MRI magnet and gradient assembly. The current magnet and gradient assembly has reached the end of its useful lifecycle. RBB requires a new, commercially available magnet and gradient assembly to provide greater dynamic range for the RBB Low Field MRI Scanner to enhance the quality of EPR images produced.

2.0 SPECIAL ORDER REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide the following for the Radiation Biology Branch:

• Magnet & Gradient Assembly: Main Magnet with Gradient Coils Qty: 1

• Power Supply & Amplifier: Magnet Power Supply and Gradient Amplifiers Qty: 1

2.1 PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

2.1.1 The following product features/characteristics are required for the magnet and gradient assembly:

• The required magnet and gradient assembly shall include all necessary cables and adaptors.

• The magnet and gradient assembly must be compatible to the Government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner.

• The magnet and gradient assembly shall include installation service.

• Be air and water cooled.

• Be equipped with programable magnet power supply.

• Include, at a minimum, the following magnet meeting or exceeding the following specifications:

Bore size: greater than or equal to 20 cm B0 Field: 250 Gauss

• Be capable of homogeneity better than 50 ppm over 10 cm DSV

2.1.2 The following product features/characteristics are required for the power supply and amplifier:

• The magnet power supply and gradient amplifier must be compatible to the Government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner.

• The magnet power supply and gradient amplifier shall include installation service.

• Include, at a minimum, the following XYZ Gradient Coils meeting or exceeding the following specifications:

Maximum Gradient Strength: greater than or equal to 10 Gauss/cm

• Include, at a minimum, the following Gradient Amplifiers meeting or exceeding the following specifications:

Programmable Bandwidth: greater than 10 kHz (-3dB)

• Be capable of homogenous Spherical Volume equal to 7.5 cm.

2.1.3 Additional Requirements

• Must include a minimum of 12-month manufacturer’s warranty.

• Quotes must include all training costs.

• Quotes must include all shipping/handling and rigging costs, including FOB origin.

2.2 DELIVERY / INSTALLATION

Delivery shall be within 10 months after Purchase Order award. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall not exceed quote amount. Upon delivery, Contractor shall notify the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), to schedule the installation date and time that shall occur within 14 business days after delivery. Installation shall be performed, or under the direct supervision of an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified technician.

Equipment shall be delivered and installed at the following address:

National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892

NCI Technical Point of Contact: [to be provided upon award]

2.3 DELIVERY GUIDANCE

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the vendor must pay close attention to the following delivery instructions. Please be aware that due to the fluidity of the existing pandemic, instructions may be updated as needed after award.

The Contractors shall communicate and follow instructions from the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to coordinate delivery, installation and training.

The Contractor shall store or retain all supplies furnished under this order until notified by the NCI Contracting Officer or Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) of a delivery date. The Contractor shall deliver supplies no later than 30-days after notification.

The Contractor shall not sell supplies furnished under this order to another company or party if the NCI is unable to accept delivery due to conditions related to COVID-19.

Training and installation as required by the Statement of Need may be delayed due to conditions related to COVID-19. If services provided under this order are delayed, the Contractor shall provide all services at different times and dates at no additional cost.

The Contractor shall direct all courier and delivery services – including those not operated by the Contractor (e.g. FedEx, USPS, UPS) – to follow the instructions in this section.

All companies delivering to the NIH main campus must comply with Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) access procedures. Upon arrival, the CVIF will provide a list of buildings and loading docks to delivery personnel.

Deliveries will be logged in at the loading dock, and the loading dock contractor or Government personnel will attempt to contact the TPOC listed on the package. In the event that the TPOC is unable to accept the package, the delivery shall not be left at the loading dock station. The delivery must be returned to the Contractor, and the Contractor must coordinate with the TPOC to deliver on another date at no additional cost.

Deliveries can only be made between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday – Friday, excluding federal holidays.

2.4 TRAINING

Contractor shall provide on-site training by an OEM-trained and certified engineer/representative for up to 10 users. The user training shall include review and demonstration of all features and functionality of equipment. Instrument care and maintenance must also be covered. The training shall be provided within 30 days of installation at a time specified by the Technical Point of Contact.

2.5 WARRANTY

In addition to the Implied warranty contained in FAR Clause 52.212-4, quoters are encouraged to provide express warranties. At a minimum, the Contractor shall provide a 12-month warranty from date of final installation on all equipment and associated items provided under, or as a part of this purchase order. The warranty shall include repair and or replacement of parts, including travel, labor, and materials, at no additional cost to the Government. The warranty shall not exclude or limit the Governments rights for an Implied warranty as established in the terms and conditions of clause 52.212-4.

3.0 TYPE OF ORDER

This will be issued as a firm fixed-price purchase order.

4.0 PAYMENT

Advanced payment of 15% shall be made upon received of initial invoice. Final payment of 85% shall be made upon successful delivery, installation, training, and acceptance of the equipment by the Government. Payment authorization requires submission and approval of invoices to the NCI Technical Point of Contact and NIH OFM.

To NCI’s knowledge, Tesla Engineering Limited is the only vendor capable of providing the component parts required for the government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner. Due to the proprietary configuration of the Low Field MRI Scanner, the component parts offered by Tesla Engineering Limited is the only option to ensure full compatibility with the existing instrument.

Replacement of the magnet and gradient assembly is necessary for the continued operation of the specialized Government-owned Low Field MRI Scanner.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses must be received no later than 12:00PM EST, August 2, 2022. All responses and questions must be in writing and emailed to Lena Lee, Contract Specialist, via electronic mail at lena.lee@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid, current Entity Record, including current Representations and Certifications, in the System for Award Management (SAM) through SAM.gov. Reference: 75N91022Q00149 on all correspondence.

mailto:lena.lee@nih.gov