NIHDA201800285_Purchase_Description_(Attachment_1).pdf

NIHDA201800285 Attachment 1

MRI SCANNER FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Background Information/Purpose and Objectives The Neurophysiology Imaging Facility (NIF) is a core resource of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intramural research program. Initiated in 2004 as a joint operation between the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and National Eye Institute (NEI), its function is to serve as a resource by which all NIH institutes can perform Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the macaque monkey. This imaging has supported a broad range of monkey studies in more than ten laboratories in the three institutes, with the research directed toward understanding brain anatomy, function and physiology as it pertains to human health. At present the NIF facility is centered around a 4.7T vertical scanner specialized for primates, which has been in operation for approximately fourteen years.

To continue the cutting-edge research performed by the NIH, it is necessary that the NIF have the most modern equipment available, providing researchers with access to the latest equipment, tools, and techniques for their experiments. This requirement entails the acquisition of a new and modern MRI System for this purpose. The acquisition shall include a 3T scanner to allow the NIF to be able to provide the latest tools and techniques to NIH researchers. The system is to be used exclusively for nonhuman primates.

Project Requirements

1. Acquisition and Delivery of an Advanced 3T MRI System

The NIF requires installation of a new MRI System suitable for state-of-the-art functional MRI research of non-human primates.

a. General Systems Performance Requirements

The new MRI system must be capable of collection of state-of-the-art images of the brain for functional MRI using Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), including simultaneous multislice (SMS) EPI capacity, high resolution diffusion MRI (dMRI) including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), perfusion imaging including 2D and 3D arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging, and routine high-resolution neurological and structural brain imaging.

Pulse sequence software for the MRI system shall be included so that pulse sequences can be modified by NIH investigators. Experimental MRI pulse sequences must be sharable with other researchers in the field. Real-time streaming access must be provided for the acquired magnetic resonance raw data for in-house developed image reconstruction.

b. Magnet Field Strength, Bed, and Bore Size The new MRI system shall have a magnetic field strength of 3T. The dockable patient table must be electronically adjustable in its height to facilitate the loading and unloading of nonhuman primate subjects.

The minimum bore diameter of the system with a transmit/receive radiofrequency body coil and gradient hardware subsystems in place shall be 60cm. The magnet inhomogeneity at 40cm diameter of spherical volume (DSV) should be less than 0.2 ppm maximum. Zero boil-off helium consumption is required.

c. Gradients The MRI system shall have a gradient subsystem capable of providing a gradient strength of at least +/-80 mT/m along each physical (X, Y, Z) gradient axis both independently and simultaneously. The magnetic field gradient for each physical (X, Y, Z) gradient axis must be capable of being slewed independently and simultaneously at 200 T/m/s or faster through all gradient amplitudes. The gradient system must be able to operate at full duty cycle.

d. Radiofrequency Receiver System & Coils The MRI system shall provide a minimum of 64 receiver channels capable of simultaneous (parallel) operation. Receiver bandwidth should be 1MHz per channel or higher. Receiver dynamic range (1-Hz resolution bandwidth) should be 169dB or larger at local coil connector.

The system must include head coils for system testing. Human coils that are suitable for non-human primate images should be included, such as multichannel knee coil, flexible array coils, and loop coils.

e. Radiofrequency Transmit System The MRI system shall provide the capacity for parallel transmit of dynamic radiofrequency pulses, as well as the capacity for integrated transmit/receive radiofrequency technology.

f. Gating and Physiological Monitoring The MRI system shall provide a capability for physiological gating and monitoring including vector ECG, respiratory, and pulse-oximetry.

Additionally, the system shall be capable of gating using an external triggering signal.

g. Image Reconstruction Systems The image reconstruction system of the MRI System must be capable of reconstructing images in real-time when acquiring parallel imaging data. The reconstruction hardware must feature a minimum of 128 GB RAM and GPU-driven reconstruction. The reconstruction system must be programmable by NIH investigators.

h. Software

The MRI system shall come with state-of-the-art software packages for sequence and reconstruction to enable functional MRI, diffusion MRI, and routine neurological imaging including Echo Planar Imaging and high resolution structural imaging. The MRI system must be fully programmable such that end users and investigators can modify and customize the MRI pulse sequences and perform customized image reconstruction.

2. Installation of MRI system The successful offeror shall install the new MRI system at the NIF 3T site.

All labor, materials, associated shipping, etc., required for installation shall be provided by the successful offeror.

NIF space was renovated a few years ago to host a Siemens 3T Tim Trio scanner. That site is nearing completion and is now available to host a new 3T scanner. The new MRI system needs to fit into this space, with minimal alteration required to accommodate its physical siting or power requirements.

The design of the current site, including the scanner, equipment, and console rooms is attached.

In the case that significant modification of the current site would be required in order to install the offered scanner, the offeror shall estimate such a cost that is above $50,000 and make the bid a turn-key offer.

3. MRI Systems Training The successful offeror shall provide at least 60 hours of on-site training to NIF staff in all hardware and software that will be required for routine operation of the new MRI system.

4. Warranty of MRI System The new MRI system shall come with a warranty for twelve months after acceptance. During the warranty period, the contractor shall provide maintenance support and equipment and software upgrades in accordance with industry standards.

a. Warranty Period Maintenance and Upgrade Support

The contractor must provide on-site maintenance service and upgrade support for the offered MRI Systems. The on-site maintenance service shall ensure the MRI Systems remain operable and fully functional.

The systems must be operational according to manufacturer specifications with high predictability and reliability to support their operation in the NIH NIF. These systems will be in heavy use, and any system unavailability (“downtime”) will impact a wide range of clinical research studies at the NIH and the mission of the NIH FMRIF.

b. The contractor is encouraged to provide service contract agreement options that are exercisable in the year(s) after the warranty period.

5. Additional Requirements Due to Research Needs The new MRI Systems are to be used for basic and preclinical research.

Therefore, the Government requires access to additional information regarding the technical operations of these systems.

Specifically, the Government requires that the successful offeror provide tools for pulse sequence and reconstruction programming. Further, source code for any sequences installed on the systems shall be provided upon request as part of this requirement. This information will be used by NIH investigators to modify existing MRI pulse sequences and develop new MRI pulse sequence and reconstruction components for research purposes.

The NIMH shall assure confidentiality of this information to the contractor or enter into a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for research development of features dependent on this functionality.

Period of Performance The period of performance for this requirement shall be twelve (12) months from date of contract award.

This period of performance shall include installation of the magnet and associated MRI system, and training.

Warranty and associated maintenance and upgrade support shall be provided for the warranty duration.

Place of Performance All efforts for this requirement shall take place at the following location:

Neurophysiology Imaging Facility 49 Convent Drive, Room B2-106 Bethesda, MD 20892.

This is the location of the current site renovation, where the new MRI magnet and equipment shall be located.

Contract Type A firm fixed price contract is anticipated.

Contract Terms NET 30 contract terms and use of milestone completion schedules is anticipated.

Milestones shall include Installation, Training, and Warranty. Each milestone shall be priced as a separate line item.