Sources Sought Notice.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: 75N95023Q00214

2. Title: Startle Response and Tremor Monitoring System.

3. Classification Code: 6640

4. NAICS Code: 334516

5. Description:

This is a SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal of abstracts or quotations. The purpose of this notice is obtain to obtain information regarding:

(1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses (e.g., 8(a), Veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and women-owned small businesses); and

(3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your response to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:

The mission of the Intramural Research Program (IRP) of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is to conduct state-of-the-art research on basic mechanisms that underlie drug abuse and addiction, and to develop new methods for the treatment of drug abuse and addiction. Research is supported at the molecular, genetic, cellular, animal, and clinical levels and is conceptually integrated, highly innovative, and focused on major problems in the field. The long-term goal of the research is to better understand the biological and behavioral factors contributing to initiation, maintenance, and elimination of drug abuse and addiction (and associated diseases), and to translate this knowledge into improved strategies for preventing, treating, and reducing the negative consequences for the individual and for society caused by drug abuse and addiction. Drug addiction is often accompanied of other psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and schizophrenia. This suggests that these disorders share biological mechanisms. However, we know very little about these mechanisms. Enhanced startle reflex is a sign of anxiety/arousal that is conserved across species, thus acquiring a startle reflex system for use in rats and mice will produce translational relevant data. With the same devices, we can measure prepulse inhibition, which is compromised in schizophrenia and could also be changed in drug addiction, and tremor that is observed during alcohol withdrawal.

The Principal Investigator at the Stress & Addiction Neuroscience unit has experience with the interaction of startle reflex, prepulse inhibition and drug dependence in rodents. The objective of this purchase is to be able to measure anxiety- and schizophrenia-like symptoms in drug dependent and nondependent rodents. Drug dependence is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by craving, compulsive drug seeking, excessive drug taking, and the emergence of negative emotional states during withdrawal. NIDA IRP has been developing rodent models that produce signs of drug dependence that strongly resemble the human condition. Rats that receive addictive drugs exhibit anxiety and schizophrenia signs. Using these models, we will investigate the neurobiology of drug dependence in rodents.

Requirement:

NIDA IRP requires a Brand Name or Equal SR-LAB Startle Response and Tremor Monitoring System.

Salient Characteristics:

Essential features of the system must include:

a. Capable of supporting 16 test stations from a single computer with no additional control boxes required.

b. An accelerometer sensor capable of sensing the sudden changes in a startle reflex and providing accurate responses regardless of the weight of the animal.

c. The tubular shaped animal enclosure with closely coupled sensor to keep the animal centered over the sensor for consistent results.

d. Software capable of setting up any startle paradigm.

e. A variable Inter-Trial Intervals defined by the user to eliminate the possibility of the subject discerning a pattern to the trials.

f. A vibrating Standardization Unit for calibration of responses.

g. Tabulated data in a raw format allowing viewing of the actual wave form generated.

h. The use of multiple data points provides a more accurate calibration.

Compatibility with a Microsoft® Access database which provides multiple export formats to statistics packages.

i. A CE electromagnetic immunity and safety certification.

j. An interfaces to the computer via USB.

k. Specific animal enclosures for tremor testing.

l. These enclosures have been designed using specific materials to provide the proper response for tremor testing.

m. Software for tremor testing. For tremor testing the user can specify frequencies to be monitored which are later presented for analysis via FFT. FFT data quickly shows the most powerful frequency recorded.

n. The ability to run up to 34 minutes and the data can be reviewed in 2-minute increments.

o. The capability to expand up to multiple test stations, up to eight Tremor Monitor System test stations can be supported from a single computer.

p. Test stations can be used for either type of testing simply by changing the animal enclosure, changing a switch on each test station and starting the correct software. This saves much space in the lab.

q. All test stations are connected to a single control box. This control box is then connected to the computer via a USB cable.

r. The software for both systems provides a very similar look and feel eliminating significant training time. If a user understands one system they can easily run the other system.

Warranty and Product Support:

At a minimum the Warranty should include:

1. 1-year manufacturer warranty on all parts and labor included

2. Replacements for shipping damage

3. Replacements for manufacturing defect upon examination

4. Temporary replacement units during warranty period

5. Coverage of shipping cost of temporary replacement unit to the customer

At a minimum Support should include:

1. Introductory onsite training and support,

2. Technical support by phone and email,

3. Temporary replacement units during repair period

4. Additionally, extended warranty options are available.

Capability Statement / Information Sought:

Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the brand name or equal products specified in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details of the respondents’ (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training in order to provide the installation and training for the product; and (b) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information.

The respondent must also provide their Unique Entity ID (UEI) number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

Submission Instructions:

The information submitted must be in a format that addresses each of the elements of the requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to a ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer Identified below. The response must be received on or before April 20, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

EST. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”

Primary Point of Contact:

Andrew Varley, Contract Specialist Andrew.Varley@nih.gov Phone: (301) 443-6677 Fax: (301) 443-7595

Secondary Point of Contact:

Joshua T. Lazarus, Contracting Officer Joshua.Lazarus@nih.gov.

Phone: (301) 443-6677 Fax: (301) 443-7595 mailto:Andrew.Varley@nih.gov mailto:Joshua.Lazarus@nih.gov