SOW-NC500 Neuroscience Console.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK FOR

Multi-Fiber Photometry System Second-generation Multi-Fiber Photometry System

SOUTH TEXAS VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

1. Scope: South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) is seeking to purchase NC500 Neuroscience Console Multi-Fiber Photometry System for Research. The data acquisition hardware supports multiple modalities in parallel with increased number of ports, higher resolution and faster sampling rate. The Fiber photometry analysis module provides the user with an easy mean to extract the relevant data from the data acquired by the Fiber photometry console. The software loads data in.CSV format, implements signal processing functions and save the traces in.CSV format. This aims to offer useful processing algorithms developed for the photometry data.

2. Summary of Work Requirements: STVHCS Principal Investigator, Dr. David Morilak will use the NC500 Neuroscience Console Multi-Fiber Photometry System for animal research.

3. Packaging, Packing and Labeling: Preservation, packaging and packing shall be to a degree of protection to preclude damage to containers and/or contents under normal shipping conditions, handling, etc. and shall conform to normal commercial practices and applicable carrier rules and regulations involving shipment from the Contractor to the receiving activity for storage. All packaging and packing shall be in accordance with good commercial practice.

Labeling shall be in accordance with commercial labeling.

4. Product availability: Should this product become unavailable the Contractor shall provide the Government with sufficient notification thereof (no less than 3 days), offering possible substitutions and/or alternative sources, to afford the Government adequate opportunity to approve or reject offered substitutions and/or decide to purchase an alternate equipment model.

5. Procurement from another source: The Contracting Officer shall make every effort to ensure that offered substitutions are given fair and reasonable consideration and that procurement from an alternate source is made only if necessary. If procurement from an alternate source is required due to the Contractor's fault, the Contractor is responsible for any price difference and any other additional charges.

6. Delivery Location:

South Texas Veterans Health Care System Research Service (151)

7400 Merton Minter Blvd San Antonio, Texas 78229

7. Invoices and Payment: Payment to be made immediately by VA contracting officer.

Contractor shall be required to invoice through the Tungsten System at http://www.tungsten-network.com/us/en/veterans-affairs/.

Additional information regarding Tungsten shall be provided upon award.

The contract shall have current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) for this solicitation; URL: www.sam.gov http://www.tungsten-network.com/us/en/veterans-affairs/ http://www.tungsten-network.com/us/en/veterans-affairs/ http://www.sam.gov/

Salient Characteristics: (reference: www.mbfbioscience.com)

1. Multi-Fiber, High-Throughput Recording

- Enables simultaneous recording from up to 8 regions of interest (ROIs), such as multiple brain regions in one animal, one region across multiple animals, or mixed configurations.

- Uses multi-branch patch cords (e.g., 200 µm fiber cores) to support high-throughput experiments, ideal for studying neural circuits and social interactions.

- Maintains single-cell sensitivity while scaling to population-level fluorescence signals, enhancing versatility across experimental designs.

2. Three Excitation Wavelengths for Dual-Color Imaging

- Features three integrated LED excitation wavelengths:

- 415 nm: Isosbestic control for motion artifact correction (calcium-independent signals).

- 470 nm: Targets green calcium indicators (e.g., GCaMP) and neurotransmitter sensors (e.g., dLight).

- 560 nm: Excites red-shifted indicators (e.g., jRCaMP, jrGECO1a) for dual-color applications.

- Ultra-sensitive sCMOS camera sensor captures green and red fluorescence simultaneously, supporting dual-color imaging with acquisition rates up to 200 Hz for fast dynamics (e.g., iGluSnFR neurotransmitter sensors).

3. Integrated Optogenetic Stimulation

- Optional integration of up to two fiber-coupled lasers (e.g., 450 nm blue, 635 nm red) for precise optogenetic stimulation via the same fiber used for recording.

- Allows simultaneous activation/inhibition of neuronal populations and fluorescence monitoring, enabling closed-loop experiments with rapid kinetics.

- Laser stability ensures consistent stimulation (power stability within 1 nW), critical for reproducible optogenetic outcomes.

4. Compact, Plug-and-Play Design

- Portable, benchtop system with no assembly required—ships as a complete solution with pre-aligned optics and integrated computer interface.

- Small data files (KB range for hour-long recordings) streamline storage and analysis compared to other imaging modalities (e.g., multiphoton systems).

- Features a user-friendly touchscreen and real-time processing software for immediate experiment setup and visualization.

5. Advanced Synchronization and Connectivity

- Includes 2 digital inputs/outputs (5V TTL pulses) for precise timestamp alignment with behavioral hardware, cameras, or custom devices (e.g., Arduino).

http://www.mbfbioscience.com/

- Interfaces with open-source Bonsai software, allowing customizable acquisition and analysis workflows tailored to specific experimental needs.

- Supports seamless integration with external systems, enhancing compatibility with existing lab setups.

6. Versatility Across Indicators and Applications

- Compatible with a wide range of genetically encoded indicators, including calcium (GCaMP variants), neurotransmitter (dLight, iGluSnFR), and novel biosensors yet to be optimized.

- Optimized for deep-brain imaging in freely moving animals, with lightweight fiber optic cannulae (e.g., 1.25 mm or 2.5 mm ferrules) reducing animal burden.

- Applications span neural circuit mapping, behavioral neuroscience, and sociosexual behavior studies, with flexibility for emerging research paradigms.

7. Enhanced User Accessibility and Support

- Real-time fluorescence visualization and flexible control via an updated computer interface improve usability for both novice and expert researchers.

- Consumables like high-quality fiber optic cannulae and multi-branch patch cords ensure peak experimental performance and easy replacement.

- Backed by Neurophotometrics’ collaboration with over 100 labs worldwide, ensuring field-tested reliability and ongoing technical support.

Summary

The FP3002 Multi-Fiber Photometry System combines high-throughput recording, dual-color imaging, and optogenetic capabilities in a compact, user-friendly package. Its three excitation wavelengths, fast acquisition rates, and seamless hardware integration make it a versatile tool for studying calcium dynamics, neurotransmitter release, and neural-behavioral correlations in vivo. Designed for efficiency and scalability, the FP3002 sets a new standard for multi-fiber photometry, catering to cutting-edge neuroscience research needs.

This document captures the FP3002’s strengths as a non-refurbished, commercially available system from Neurophotometrics.

8. Information Systems Officer, Information Protection:

The contractor will/will not have access to VA Desktop computers nor will they have access to online resources belonging to the government while conducting services. If removal of equipment from the VA is required, any memory storage devices, such as hard drives, solid state drives and non-volatile memory units will remain in VA control and will not be removed from VA custody.

Privacy Officer:

The contractor will/will not have access to protected Patient Health Information (PHI) nor will they have the capability of accessing patient information during the services provided to the VA and if removal of equipment from the VA is required, any memory storage devices, such as hard drives, solid state drives and non-volatile memory units will remain in VA control and will not be removed from VA custody. All research data available for Contractor analyses is de-identified.

Records Officer: There will be no federal records created, maintained, used or dispositioned with this contract; regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.].

So short version for no records – long version for records will be created, maintained,etc.

9. Research Office Points of Contact:

a. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Rafaelita Muro, Budget Technician Research Service (210) 617-5300 ext.: 15550 rafaelita.muro@va.gov

b. ALT COR Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Dennis Bryan, Research Service

(210) 617-5300 ext.: 15538 dennis.bryan@va.gov mailto:rafaelita.muro@va.gov mailto:dennis.bryan@va.gov