D_25-001453_Sources Sought.pdf

SAM.gov

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Title: Fieldline 64 Sensor

NAICS CODE: 334510 – Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing.

Classification Code: R499 – Support – Professional: Other

Size Standard: 1,250 Employees

Description.

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; (3) their size classification relative to the North

American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition; and (4) availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality.

For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e., address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable

NAICS code (i.e., address Non-Manufacturer Rule).

Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

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.

The ultimate aim of the current project is to build and validate a non-invasive magnetocardiography

(MCoG) array that can collect data at high temporal and spatial resolution, dramatically increasing our ability to observe human neurophysiology non-invasively, potentially transforming our study of the brain.

In the initial phase we will simulate and build a prototype array using currently available dual-axis OPMs, demonstrate the feasibility of MCoG, and begin work on the design of an optimized OPM.

To achieve this end, the awarded contractor will help with the following objectives:

Objective 1: Provide hardware, to include 64 Fieldline V3 sensors, electronics chassis and peripherals, sensor electronics, and an analog input card.

Objective 2: Provide research and design services including laser selection and prototyping of a compound gradiometer.

Purpose and Objectives.

Currently, non-invasive monitoring of human brain function is limited to high spatial resolution/low temporal resolution techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or low spatial resolution/high temporal resolution techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography

(EEG). There are currently no non-invasive techniques that can measure human brain function with both high spatial and temporal resolution. Thus, the only option for high temporal and spatial resolution mapping of neuronal activity is invasive electrocorticography (ECoG), which is only performed in situations such as presurgical planning for epilepsy due to inherent risks. As a result, most of the knowledge neuroscientists have obtained from ECoG studies have been in abnormal brains. The development of a non-invasive high temporal and spatial resolution array could transform the treatment of epilepsy and human neuroscience.

Recently, significant development has occurred in the MEG field in the use of optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) arrays. These relatively portable arrays are placed directly on the scalp and do not require cooling with expensive and increasingly scarce liquid helium. Most groups have focused on the development of whole-head wearable arrays that allow naturalistic movement of participants or facilitate whole brain mapping in young children. The array we propose will utilize a significantly denser array of sensors, capable of mapping brain function with dramatically improved spatial resolution – performing magnetocorticography (MCoG) as an alternative to ECoG. While we have constructed an initial prototype, it has proved inadequate to fully demonstrate the feasibility of MCoG, and additional testing with a more suitable prototype is warranted. Our generation-1 prototype device was created using standard OPM sensors; we propose a generation-2 prototype with dual-axis sensors that will demonstrate feasibility of the

MCoG technique. Following this demonstration, we propose designing an MCoG optimized OPM sensor, designed specifically for high-resolution, precision mapping. We propose a novel compound sensor, incorporating both multiple cells and a reference cell for gradiometry.

In order to complete the generation-2 prototype, we require the next generation of OPM sensors (Fieldline

V3 sensors). In addition, in pursuit of our larger aim of developing a novel MCoG optimized sensor, we require research and design services to evaluate preliminary feasibility of a compound gradiometer.

Salient characteristics include the following.

To perform the work, the contractor must meet the following criteria:

• Have the instrumentation and tools necessary for the research and development of our OPM magnetoencephalography systems including:

• optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs),

• custom electronics

• wearable helmets

• other related technologies.

• Have design, prototyping, and manufacturing capabilities including:

• Vacuum systems for vapor cell and thermal packaging R&D

• Custom MEMS cell fabrication equipment

• Clean rooms and hoods

• Lasers and optics lab with related tools and equipment

• Electronics lab with tools and equipment for prototyping and testing

• A full suite of electronic components and assembly tools

• Optical Microscopes

• Various multi-layer magnetic shields

• Calibration coils and drivers

• Fluxgate magnetometers

• Spectrometers

• Oscilloscopes

• Arbitrary waveform generators

• Lock-in amplifiers

• Low-noise power supplies

• Optical power meter

• Data acquisition systems

• 3D printers for prototyping and manufacturing

• UV and thermal curing stations

• Various electronic and sensor testing equipment

Anticipated period of performance.

12 months

Government Responsibilities.

There will be no Government Furnished Equipment as part of this Purchase Order. The PI at NIMH will oversee the progress, as demonstrated in monthly meetings and annual reports.

Data Rights.

Software used by the contractor in the fulfillment of Objective 2 will be controlled by the contractor.

Delivery or Deliverables.

• 64 zero-field optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs)

• 19" chassis 3U for sensor cards and peripherals, V3

• Sensor electronics, each controlling 4 OPMs, V3

• Analog input card for 4 bi-polar analog inputs, BNC

• Research and design services including laser selection and prototyping of a compound gradiometer

Capability statement /information sought.

Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer.

The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately.

Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and

Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business

Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

Please note that NIMH 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.

In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted 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 is limited to ten (10) pages. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

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 Contract Specialist.

Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Joe Kennedy at e-mail address joseph.kennedy@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before January 22, 2025, 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 in www.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).

mailto:joseph.kennedy@nih.gov http://www.sam.gov/