Justification-and-Approval-for-Sole-Source Nikon A1R -signed.pdf

Attachment C

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

• Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. HHS/NIH.

b. Sponsoring organization.

National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders

NIDCD/DIR/Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function

c. Project Officer Information.

• Project Officer Name. Katie Kindt

Investigator, Acting Chief, Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function

• Mailing address.

Katie Kindt

NIH / NIDCD

35A Convent drive 1D933 Bethesda, MD 20892

• E-mail address. katie.kindt@nih.gov

• Telephone number. 301-443-2626

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

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives.

This is an order to purchase parts upgrade an existing confocal microscope (Nikon C2 to Nikon A1R).

This confocal microscope will we used for research in the Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function and the intramural NIDCD research program. Authorizing legislation: 41 United States Code (U.S.C.)

253(c) and (FAR) 6.302

b. Project background.

This project includes parts that will be used to upgrade an existing Nikon C2 confocal microscope for live imaging of sensory hair cell function and damage.

Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A) mailto:katie.kindt@nih.gov

The specific projects in the Section on Sensory Cell Development and Function include:

1) Examine hair cells and supporting cell signals (calcium, voltage, ATP) while simultaneously performing laser damage.

2) Image volumetric calcium signals while evoked activity in hair cells.

3) Examine whole brain activity profiles in fixed samples.

4) Fast volumetric imaging of synapse development

5) Dynamics of neomycin induced hair cell death

Other projects at the NIH/NIDCD:

6) Live imaging of cochlear samples for time lapse imaging of organ development. Other labs could use or system. Alternatively, this upgrade will free up time on other existing scopes for other labs to do their (cochlear imaging) work.

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

a. Project title. Upgrade of a Nikon C2 to Nikon A1R microscope

b. Project description.

This is an order to purchase parts upgrade an existing confocal microscope (Nikon C2 to Nikon A1R). The C2 Nikon confocal is a point scanning system. Point scanning confocal system have evolved dramatically, enabling faster volumetric imaging with lower laser power.

Currently we have been using another upright A1R Nikon confocal (Kelley lab) to perform many of our live imaging experiments. These live imaging experiments were ones that we previously attempted but were unable to perform successfully on our existing C2 confocal system.

This upgrade (C2 to A1R) would be useful for many of the experiments we are currently doing on the existing A1 system: fast volumetric imaging of synapse development, neomycin induced hair cell death, and imaging calcium signals during laser damage of hair cells and during evoked hair cell stimulation.

In addition, the A1R Nikon confocal system has 2 laser scanning devices.

These two devices can be used in combination for simultaneous imaging (morphology or functional signals) during: photoconversion, opto-stimulation and damage. These are experiments are not possible on our existing C2 confocal system.

Most importantly for our work is the value added by combing fast volumetric imaging with this dual imaging system. We plan to use these 2 features for functional calcium imaging during opto-stimulation and damage. These experiments require equipment and triggering devices we currently use on our C2 confocal system. The upgrade, along with our existing equipment would enable these new experiments that are currently not possible to perform on any exiting microscope in the NIDCD.

c.

• Requirement type.

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.

X New requirement Follow-on

• Proposed contract/order type.

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):

Completion Form Term form

• Acquisition identification number. N/A

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

The estimated dollar value of this purchase is $ 325,375.34. 60-90 ARO.

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

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-(X).

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).

• 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).

NIKON INSTRUMENTS INC.

1300 Walt Whitman Road - Melville, NY 11747 - Phone: (631) 547-8542 - Email: niiordersecr.us@nikon.com

a. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s).

This microscope is a valuable resource that is critical for the research in our group. The Nikon representatives are the experts on Nikon microscopes, and they designed my existing C2 Nikon confocal microscope. Currently they are the best company suited to ensuring this upgrade is seamless and effective. In summary, no other company is able to effectively perform this microscope upgrade.

• 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.

The lab has sought additional quotes for an equivalent microscope system. This alternative would require purchasing a completely new system which is priced much higher simply upgrading our existing system.

• Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

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

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

If another vendor or microscope is selected, the loss of specialized functions and features needed to coordinate live imaging of activity zebrafish would cause significant delays that hinder our lab’s work on its scientific research data collection. Most experiments are time-sensitive and ongoing and any disruption in service could hamper or compromise experimental and publication of findings.

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

No other sources have expressed interest in the acquisition.

mailto:niiordersecr.us@nikon.com

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.

Bids from the other vendors for a new imaging system were much higher than this upgrade. Nikon is the only company that can upgrade our existing imaging system to fit our unique 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 Dr. Katie Kindt 5-1-2020

Project Officer’s

Immediate Supervisor

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.

Contracting Officer

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

Chief of the

Office

Head of the

Activity

15. Competition Advocate signature. NA

Competition Advocate

16. HHS Senior Procurement Executive signature. NA

HHS Senior Procurement

Executive