B_Sources Sought.docx

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SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: 75N95020Q00247

2. Title: MaxTwo High-Density Microelectrode Array (HD-MEA) System Purchase

3. Classification Code: 6640 -- LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

4. NAICS Code: 334516

5. Description: ANALYTICAL LABORATORY INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURING

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: To establish and move stem cell technologies forward through a more centralized effort, NIH has launched the Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL) within the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Part of the NIH Common Fund, the goal of the SCTL is to bring iPSC technology closer to clinical application, drug discovery and regenerative medicine. Through the SCTL, NCATS will provide researchers across various disciplines and organizations with the ability to establish collaborations to advance the translation of regenerative medicine applications. An electrophysiology Platform is required for recording and stimulating electrogenic cells in-vivo. The MaxTwo system enables long term monitoring of single cell activity, as well as the dynamics of the entire network

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this procurement is the acquisition of a MaxTwo High-Density Microelectrode Array (HD-MEA) System for use by the Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL).

Project requirements:

· MaxTwo System

· MaxTwo 24-Well Option

· MaxTwo 24-Well-Plate Starter Package

· Recording PC

· Online training

· MaxLab Live ActivityMap Assay

· MaxLab Live NetworkConnectivity Assay

· MaxLab Live AxonTracking Assay

· MaxLab Live Stimulation Assay

· Digital Gas Mixing System

· MaxTwo System Maintenance Plan - 1 Year

Salient Characteristics:

· Touchscreen interface

· CMOS-based microelectrode array with 26,400 electrodes

· 26,400 platinum electrodes (9.3×5.45 μm2)

· Switch-matrix technology for flexible array reconfiguration

· 3.85×2.10 mm2 sensor area

· 1024 recording channels

· 20 kHz sampling rate, 10 bit resolution

· Programmable total gain up to 78 dB

· Low noise

· Records action potentials and local field potentials

· 32 stimulation units, flexible pattern generation

· Up to ± 1.6 V / ± 1.5 mA

· 2 nA amplitude resolution

· 2 μs time resolution

· Acquisition and analysis software for MaxTwo

· Simple and intuitive user interface

· Online bandpass filtering, spike detection, and visualization of all 1024 channels

· Save raw data as well as spike events in standard compliant HDF5 file format

· Data post-processing

· Matlab® and Python™ toolboxes for data loading and visualization

Anticipated period of performance: One-time delivery to ship within 30 days after receipt of order.

Requested Response:

The intent of this sources sought notice is to define the procurement strategy (e.g. set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation that is intended to be posted soon. Interested contractors are requested to respond by (1) identifying how their proposed product meets or exceeds the project requirements listed above; and (2) providing product literature, white papers, or capability statements that demonstrate their bona fide ability to supply such an item within the time frame described above.

In addition, please state your business size status and whether you are the manufacturer or authorized distributor of the item you propose.

Please note that NCATS is particularly interested in small business sources. If you are a small business, please state the type of small business (small business; HUBZone; service-disabled, veteran-owned; 8(a); veteran-owned; woman-owned; or small disadvantaged businesses) and your size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

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.

The information submitted must be must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements 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 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 Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Kevin Alvarez, Contracting Officer, at e-mail address kevin.alvarez@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before August 20, 2020, 9:00am, Eastern Time.

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 presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published at beta.SAM.gov. 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).