JA-Plexon-cumming-signed.pdf

Justification and Approval for Sole Source

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. HHS. National Institutes of

Health.

b. Sponsoring organization. National Eye Institute, Division of Intramural

Research, Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research

c. Project Officer information.

• Project Officer name. Jessica Coleman

• Mailing address. Bldg 49, room 2A50

• E-mail address. Jessica.coleman@nih.gov

• Telephone number. 301-496-9375

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives. Acquisition of the Plexon OmniPlex system and V-probes

b. Project background. The Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research is proposing to procure the Plexon OmniPlex System and V-Probe with 24 channels from Plexon because this is the only system and electrodes known to the Laboratory that meets the capabilities described below.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

a. Project title. 32-channel OmniPlex data acquisition system and 32/24-channel V-Probe Microelectrodes

b. Project description. The Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research performs research in the fundamental brain mechanisms that allow sensory-motor coordination, specifically the visual/oculomotor system. In the Neuronal Networks Section, the goal is to understand the neuronal mechanisms that control saccadic eye movement (a simple behavior by which the line of sight is shifted quickly from one object to another). To examine this process, action potentials generated by neurons in the cerebral cortex of awake behaving Rhesus monkeys are recorded while the animal is exposed to images designed to causes saccadic eye movement. A critical portion of the experimental setup is how the action potentials in the brain are detected and recorded. Typically, action potentials are observed by the insertion of an electrode into the brain of the animal which electrical current caused by the action potential can be detected. These small electrical currents are detected by a system connected to the electrode by a wire. The most commonly used system for this is the Plexon MAP system

OmniPlex system is different from the MAP system in one key way:

instead of splitting the spike waveform & local field potential at the input of the preamp (like in the MAP), the OmniPlex system will digitize the entire wide-band signal at 40kHz with a 16-bit A/D converter. Once this signal is digitized, the user can filter the signal for local field potentials, spike waveforms for online sorting, etc. Not only will this provide the researcher with more abundant data, the data collected will be much cleaner and with less noise.

This system also able to record across 32-channels. We will use it for recording of electric activity of nerve cells in behaving monkeys using eye movement tasks. Plexon is the only choice to perform sufficient multiunit recording and analysis of this. The unique and novel feature of this product is that its allows the researchers to gather information through layers of tissue in which a multi channel probe has been temporarily inserted. This model allows for the simultaneous recording across 32 channels, which allows for a dramatic increase in the data that can be obtained from each experiment.

The Plexon V-Probe with 32 or 24 channels is an entirely new product which is available nowhere else at the current time. The unique and novel features of this equipment is that its multiple recording channels are along the length of the probe in a linear fashion, necessary to allow the researchers to gather information through layers of brain tissue in which the probe has been temporarily inserted simultaneously. This feature is currently unique to the Plexon V-probe series. While multichannel probes do exist, the channels are placed out in a grid and have to be implanted directly into the surface cortex of the brain (and subsequently are left there), for example the Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology “CerePort Chronic Connector” or Thomas Recordings “Heptode”. The Plexon V-probe is designed like a standard one channel micro-electrode, which can be moved from region to region, and has the structural strength to pierce the Dura and record in new brain regions, a feature completely lacking in traditional multichannel electrodes. Between the linear array, and this repositioning ability the Plexon V-probe is a powerful tool for the Neurobiologist.

• Requirement type. Check the appropriate box:

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services

Support services (non-R&D) X Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build Other (specify): ____________________

• Type of action. Check the appropriate box:

X New requirement Follow-on Other (specify): ______________________

• Proposed contract/order type. Check all that apply:

X Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee): __________ Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee): ___________ Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________ Completion Form Term form

• Acquisition identification number. Q24379

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

137,545

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

X This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 United

States Code (U.S.C.) 253(c)(1) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302- 1. FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) states that: "When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, ... and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for."

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Services

Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (41 U.S.C. 428a).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s). Plexon Inc., 6500 Greenville Ave. Suite 730, Dallas, TX 75206

b. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s). The OmniPlex and V-Probes are propriety systems, and is only manufactured and sold by Plexon..

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a FedBizOpps notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies. An internet search was conducted by several lab members to search for systems that would perform a similar function, but none was found. The proposed contract action will be publicized to a nationwide audience in the Commerce Business Daily. This will serve as a market survey. An award will be made only if, during negotiations, it is shown that the anticipated cost to the government is fair and reasonable.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The price offered for the OmniPlex and V-probes is the same as in previous orders (see: PO #:

263201600559A and PO #: 263201700395A)

8. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

This proposed action will be posted on FedBizOpps.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

n/a

10. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. n/a

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the required supplies or services. We will continue to monitor the market for competing manufactures that may provide systems that would fulfil the scientific needs.

12. Program office certification.

This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements and other rationale for other than full and open competition, are accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Project Officer Jessica Coleman Administrative Lab Manager

Project Officer’s

Immediate Supervisor

Bruce Cumming, Lab Chief, LSR/NEI

Head of the Sponsoring

Program Office

13. Contracting Officer Certification.

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Contracting Officer

14. Chief of the Contracting Office and Head of the Contracting Activity signature(s).

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Chief of the Contracting

Office

Head of the Contracting

Activity

15. Competition Advocate signature.

5/29/20

5/29/20

Competition Advocate

16. HHS Senior Procurement Executive signature.

HHS Senior Procurement

Executive

Justification and Approval for Sole Source