RFI_-_SPECT-CT_Imaging_Device_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

SPECT/CT Imaging Device Acquisition

The Department of the Interior Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD) is issuing this Request for Information to determine businesses capable of providing all items listed within this request.

AQD is executing this market research on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Molecular Imaging Branch.

Respond to this request no later than 10:00 AM ED August 6, 2026, providing the following information:

1. Company name,

2. Point of Contact Information, System for Award Management (SAM)

3. UEI.

4. Written confirmation that your company can provide the requirements within this announcement.

5. Confirm which NAICS you believe would apply to this acquisition.

6. Your company’s size standard in the NAICS you identified.

7. Identification of Authorized Reseller Status (General Electric (GE)).

8. Optional: Market Research pricing on the requirements listed within this announcement.

Respondents should identify their socioeconomic status, including:

1. Small Business

2. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

3. 8(a)

4. HUBZone

5. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

6. Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

7. Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

8. Other

This RFI is being issued solely for market research information and acquisition planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not reimburse for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested parties’ expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in a future RFQ, if one is issued.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 U.S.C. 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement, information regarding technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made.

PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

• Dual energy collimated CZT detectors to improve energy discrimination

• Digital detectors with 3D imaging capabilities

• Deep learning-based image reconstruction to reduce noise and improve contrast to noise.

• 12 detector ring design with CZT detector to ensure accurate dosimetry measurements for a variety of therapeutic radioisotopes.

• High performance CT system is needed.

• Compatibility with MIM software for dosimetry planning is required.

• Deep learning reconstruction methods and CT/SPECT registration software are required.

• We require accurate measurement of theranostic agents for measuring dose during therapeutic procedures. The Starguide uniquely has dual collimators that can be switched depending on the energy of the radioisotope. The Starguide also uses CZT crystals which have the best energy resolution of available crystals. This enables both high and low energy isotopes can be measured with the Starguide. This is critical to accurately measuring absorbed dose.

• We require a SPECT CT unit that rapidly acquires images since the patient has to come back for multiple time points to establish the dose accuracy. Therefore setup and scanning time must be minimized. The Starguide has a full-body, 3D contouring/shape identification that learns the entire patient shape in approximately 22 seconds. This ensures that the system can move faster in-between angular stops as well as in between bed positions. This is a big benefit when it comes to reducing non-scanning/motion time and ensures we will have shorter overall on table time for the patient. For instance, the typical motion time on one bed position is only 40-50 seconds

• We require maximal sensitivity to detect low levels of activity. The Starguide has dual channel registered collimation wherein each 2.45mm square pixel has 4 square holes in the tungsten collimator precisely aligned to it enabling faster signal acquisition.

• We require the highest quality imaging. The Starguide employs Q.Clear which is a noise suppression algorithm for more accurate images with better image quality. It also includes Clarify DL which is a deep learning algorithm used to enhance the bone SPECT image volume based on a prior model which assumes that tracer activity distribution corresponds to skeletal anatomical structures. The Starguide also uses focused imaging and Smart Sweep which alters the detector sweep to spend more time focusing on the user defined volume with no increase in scan time. Smart Sweep also automatically determines what portion of the detector’s sweep actually has counts and shortens up the sweep to only include only that area. This means the detector spends more time acquiring real counts and less time scanning air which should improve efficiency

• As many of our patients have metal implants, we require a metal artifact reducing software. The Starguide has SmartMAR Metal artifact reduction software to reduce artifacts related to metal implants.

• We require enhancements that reduce exposure for the technologist. The Starguide Integrates a “touch ruler” that allows the technologist to select the start and stop location and then step away from the patient once acquisition begins. This enhances workflow and lowers the dose exposure to the technologist.

• We require integration with MIM Sure Plan software which is the existing software used by our team. MIM is owned by GE so that the interface is seamless. SmartConsole 2.0 also offers real time and retrospective image processing abilities. The console enables automation of SPECT/CT reconstruction, simplifying complex hybrid imaging and quantitative protocols, and generating high-quality hybrid images

• Because digital SPECT/CT is a rapidly evolving technology we require Technology Non- Obsolescence (TNO) protection. This will ensure that we will receive the latest system at the time of delivery.

1.0 TITLE

SPECT/CT Imaging Device

BACKGROUND

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Molecular Imaging Branch, the mission of the Molecular Imaging Branch (MIB) is to develop and evaluate new imaging methods that advance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. SPECT/CT is an essential component of the MIB research portfolio. The MIB performs theranostic studies in which therapeutic radioisotopes are injected into the patient. A SPECT/CT scanner is needed to perform dosimetry in patients receiving these treatments so that the dose can be appropriately adjusted to the patient’s needs. A SPECT/CT scanner is used daily to image patients with cancer.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this acquisition is to provide continued access to SPECT/CT is a noninvasive imaging modality that plays a major role in cancer imaging. SPECT scanners uniquely detect gamma emissions from radioactive elements that enable assessment of the absorbed dose of the radioactive treatment not only in the tumor but importantly, in organs at risk (OAR). The ability to deliver adequate amounts of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal organs in the process is the definition of the therapeutic window for theranostics, a growing field in oncology.

3.0 TYPE OF ORDER

This is a firm‑fixed‑price (FFP) task order.

4.0 SUPPLY

Funds are available only for the line item to which they are obligated.

5.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall consist of one (1) twelve-month period:

September 23, 2026 – September 22, 2027

6.0 PLACE OF DELIVERY

Molecular Imaging Branch, National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health 10 Center Dr.

Bldg. 10, Room B3B69E Rockville, Maryland 20850

7.0 ONSITE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

In the event of an onsite response, the Contractor shall sign in and be escorted by authorized staff. No access to Government data shall be provided; Contractor access is limited to underlying hardware

8.0 DELIVERY

Delivery shall occur within 60 business days of task order award. The Contractor shall provide the NCI Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) with tracking information to anticipate delivery. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included.

Deliver to: NCI/CCR, 10 Center Dr., Bldg. 10, Room B3B69E, Rockville, MD 20850.

9.0 SECTION 508 ACCESSIBILITY

Products, platforms, and services delivered as part of this work that are ICT, or contain ICT, must conform to the Revised 508 Standards (36 C.F.R. § 1194.1 & Apps. A, C & D).

Conformance shall be confirmed using HHS OS Factsheets & Reference Guides and verified through the HHS WCAG 2.0 Refresh Checklists; Contractors are encouraged to use instructional materials and checklists at GSA Section508.gov.

DISCLAIMER: This Sources Sought Notice is for Market Research and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR Part 10 and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall not serve as proposals, bids, or offers, which could be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Department of the Interior will not accept unsolicited proposals related to the subject of this Request for Information Notice. The responder must clearly identify any information it considers sensitive or proprietary. All information received in response to this

Notice that is marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly.

Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Responses to this Request for Information Notice will not be returned.

Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated and incurred by responding to this Request for Information Notice: The Government does not require any cost for participating in this Market Research and Request for Information. The Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice.

An important outcome of this research will be the determination to consider if this can be acquisitioned as a Small Business Set aside, and the competitive set aside category in accordance with (IAW) FAR 19.201. The Government is interested in all socioeconomic contracting programs (i.e. Native American/Indian-Owned Businesses, 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned, HUBZone, and Women-Owned Small Business concerns). The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice with capabilities and identify your small business status with respect to the identified NAICS code.