Notice_of_Intent_1.pdf

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Solicitation Number: 75N94024Q00087 Solicitation Type: Sole Source (Non-Competitive) Title: NIAAA: Supplies: SMS MRI License NAICS / Size Standard: 334517 / 1,200 Employees

Introduction

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Office of Acquisitions (OA), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Siemens Medical Solutions USA to provide a Simultaneous Multislice (SMS) MRI license for the Prisma Scanner.

Background Information

Simultaneous Multislice (SMS) MRI is an imaging technique that allows for the acquisition of multiple slices of data simultaneously. It utilizes parallel imaging and specific pulse sequences to acquire images from multiple slices in a single excitation. This enables faster scanning times and increased efficiency in acquiring volumetric or time-resolved imaging data. SMS MRI is particularly beneficial for applications where rapid imaging is required, such as functional MRI (fMRI) studies or dynamic imaging of the heart or other moving organs.

SMS will be used to reduce scan time and increase spatiotemporal resolution in all structural MRI scans, fMRI studies on alcohol and opioid use disorders, as well as for real-time fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies in the Siemens Prisma MRI scanner. The SMS license requires the MR to be on the XA platform which will be upgraded in September.

Purpose and Objectives

The institute needs to procure a SMS license for its Prisma MRI Scanner.

Installation/Period of Performance

The period of performance is one year from award. 6-8 weeks for installation to take place after service contract renewal in September.

Contractor Requirements

The contractor shall provide the Simultaneous Multi Slice Package license that includes the following:

Simultaneous Multi-Slice TSE (from SW MR XA11A and higher and with XA10B) - Simultaneous Multi- Slice RESOLVE (from SW MR XA11B and higher and with XA10B) - Simultaneous Multi-Slice TSE DIXON (from SW MR XA20A and higher) Simultaneous Multi-Slice (SMS) EPI and RESOLVE enables accelerated imaging for diffusion-weighted (DWI/DTI) and BOLD functional MR imaging. With SMS EPI, scan times for DWI can be reduced by up to 68% and/or images with higher spatial/diffusion resolution can be acquired. For BOLD imaging, SMS EPI can enable increased temporal sampling of BOLD data acquisitions and/or improved slice coverage/resolution. From SW MR XA11A and higher and with XA10B: TSE is the most frequently utilized clinical pulse sequence. Simultaneous Multi-Slice TSE is available for reducing scan time, and/or to increase slice coverage/resolution in routine MSK examinations. From SW MR XA11B and higher and with XA10B: Simultaneous Multi-Slice (SMS) RESOLVE provides accelerated RESOLVE protocols for breast and brain imaging. From SW MR XA20A and higher: Simultaneous Multi- Slice (SMS) TSE DIXON extends the SMS TSE with the fat saturation technique DIXON.

Sole Source Justification

Siemens is the exclusive provider of the Simultaneous Multislice (SMS) MRI license for the Prisma 3T scanner. SMS will be used to reduce scan time and increase spatiotemporal resolution in all structural MRI scans, fMRI studies on alcohol and opioid use disorders, as well as for real-time fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies in their Siemens Prisma MRI scanner. The SMS license requires the MR to be on the XA platform which will be upgraded in September.

Regulatory Authority

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

FAR Clauses

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this notice to the offeror listed above. The following factors shall be used to evaluate the offer: The contractor shall demonstrate its ability to provide the detector listed that meets the specifications provided above.

FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services, is applicable. The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through

(v) of this provision.

FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

Additional Information

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 334517 and the Small Business Size Standard is 1,200 Employees. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable and the resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-04 effective April 1, 2024.

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

All responses must be received by April 19, 2024 5:00 PM ET and must reference solicitation number 75N94024Q00087. Responses shall be submitted electronically to nicole.freid@nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:nicole.freid@nih.gov