Statement of Work Microscope.docx

Contract VA241-15-D-0148 Contract VA241-15-D-0148

?.## STATEMENT OF WORK

Supernova-100 Miniature Two-Photon Microscopy System 689-25-4-7155-0176

1.0 Background & Introduction: The Clinical Neurosciences Division (CND) of the National Center for PTSD and the VA Brain Bank are studying the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid conditions with the goal of identifying novel targets for more effective therapeutic treatments. Specific purpose funding has been made available during fiscal year 2025 to procure a miniature 2-photon microscope to facilitate these research efforts. A miniature two-photon microscope is a vital tool in both laboratory research and clinical environments due to its unique ability to provide high-resolution, deep-tissue imaging in live and freely moving subjects. Unlike traditional microscopy systems, two-photon microscopy enables real-time visualization of cellular and subcellular processes within intact biological tissues, with minimal photodamage and excellent spatial resolution. It allows for stable simultaneous recording of more than a thousand cells across multiple planes of densely active cortical brain regions in a wide spectrum of behavioral tasks. By observing how neurons fire during fear conditioning, memory recall, and extinction behavioral tasks, researchers can map the precise neural circuits involved in PTSD-like responses in key brain regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, which are implicated in fear processing, memory, and emotional regulation.

PTSD is highly variable between individuals. With two-photon imaging, it’s possible to identify predictive neural patterns—such as persistent hyperactivity in fear-related networks—that correlate with more severe or resistant PTSD phenotypes. These patterns can serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis, risk assessment, or personalized treatment strategies. In laboratory settings, this technology is essential for advancing preclinical neuroscience by allowing researchers to:

1.1. Monitor neuronal activity in vivo during behavior,

1.2. Track cell progression or therapeutic response within deep tissue layers, and

1.3. Observe immune cell dynamics in their native environment.

Miniaturization further enables studies in naturalistic settings, such as in awake, behaving animals, dramatically improving the translational value of preclinical research. Two-photon imaging of animal behavior is a powerful method for developing new therapies for PTSD because it allows researchers to directly observe how trauma and therapeutic interventions affect the brain at the cellular and circuit level in real time. Its compact size, portability, and non-destructive imaging capability make it uniquely suited for bridging the gap between bench and bedside, accelerating both discovery and patient care.

2.0 Objectives: The objective is to establish a new contract with the following components:

2.1. Laser Unit:

- Power Regulation Module

- Chromatic Dispersion Control Module

2.2. Headpiece Unit:

- FHIRM-U

- Optical Fiber

- Electrical Tunable Laser

2.3. Collection Control Unit:

- Main Control Platform

- Fluorescence Channel (Dual-channel)

- Fluorescence Filter Set (Green + Red)

- Real-time Distortion Correction Module

- Signal Synchronization Module (6-channel)

2.4. Application Auxiliary Unit:

- Animal Fixation Kit (Treadmill, etc.)

- Imaging Darkroom

- FOV Positioning Assistance System

2.5. Behavioral Unit:

- Behavioral Support Bracket (Includes Industrial Cameras x2, Infrared Light Source) -Hardware installation, site acceptance test, and training -Warranty covering hardware and software maintenance

3.0 Competition and Contract Type Selection: The request is for other than full and open competition with a single source. The contract does not have any outside time and material needs, labor, or anything not listed on the quote provided.

4.0 Minimum Salient Requirements: The following are the minimum salient characteristics that must be met:

4.1. High-resolution miniature 2-photon microscope, with a large field-of-view enabling real-time imaging of brain neurons-all in one design.

4.2. Contains a small wearable headpiece (2.6 grams are smaller) for distortion free conduction of laser pulses.

4.3. Contains a miniature objective with a high precision assembled lens group that allows high resolution, large field of view, long working distance, chronic aberration correction and imaging optimization for deep scattering tissue.

4.4. 3-dimensional imaging.

4.5 Capable of multiple operating modes: non-stop continuous imaging, long-term imaging, dual-emission channel imaging, volumetric imaging and muti-FOV imaging.

4.6.Capable of imaging single dendritic spine at 0.65 um resolution.

4.7. Capability to switch from wide field and 2-photon imaging.

4.8. Contains Auxiliary Unit:

- Animal Fixation Kit (Treadmill, etc.)

- Imaging Darkroom

- Filed of View Positioning Assistance System

4.9. Contains Behavioral Unit:

- Behavioral Support Bracket.

- Industrial Cameras x2, Infrared Light Source

4.9.3. Built-in laser bean adjustment device for real-time laser pointing and closed loop locking to minimize optical path drift.

4.9.4. Training videos which offer modules on topics related to the system platform.

4.9.5. Installation and remote training during the warranty period with follow-on consultation by company field scientific consultant.

5.0 Deliverables:

Supernova-100 Miniature Two-Photon Microscope (Primary equipment + Lenses). Includes:

Laser Unit:

- Power Regulation Module

- Chromatic Dispersion Control Module Headpiece Unit:

- FHIRM-U

- Optical Fiber

- Electrical Tunable Laser Collection Control Unit:

- Main Control Platform

- Fluorescence Channel (Dual-channel)

- Fluorescence Filter Set (Green + Red)

- Real-time Distortion Correction Module

- Signal Synchronization Module (6-channel) Application Auxiliary Unit:

- Animal Fixation Kit (Treadmill, etc.)

- Imaging Darkroom

- FOV Positioning Assistance System Behavioral Unit:

- Behavioral Support Bracket (Includes Industrial Cameras x2, Infrared Light Source)

Customization Requirements

- Custom, distinct wavelength, dual-laser functionality: 920nm and 1030nm -Customized optical path

6.0 Delivery: Deliverables should be received within 12-weeks post contract award. Shipments should be sent to Matthew Girgenti (Matthew.Girgenti@VA.Gov), VA National PTSD Brain Bank, Connecticut Mental Health Center S304, 34 Park St. New Haven, CT, 06519.Tracking information on the shipments should be sent to the attention of Matthew Girgenti (Matthew.Girgenti@VA.Gov) and Brenda Martini (Brenda.Martini@VA.Gov).

Any changes to this statement of work shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence to the COR and approval from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder. After delivery, invoices shall be submitted via the Tungsten portal for COR review, certification and payment by the Financial Service Center in Austin, Texas.

7.0 Government-furnished property, material, or equipment: None

8.0 Security: No special security requirements are associated with this purchase. The equipment will be used for laboratory analysis of preclinical and deidentified tissue samples and will be located and used at an offsite research laboratory under a license with the VA CT Healthcare System. The vendor will not be on VA property for installation or service. A&A requirements do not apply. A Security Accreditation Package is not required.

9.0 Special Material Requirements: There are no other special requirements or considerations for this contract.

10.0 Other Unique Requirements: There are no other unique requirements or considerations for this contract.

11.0 Period of Performance: The period of performance is 12-weeks from the contract award date.

12.0 Records Management

12.1. Applicability: This clause applies to all Contractors whose employees create, work with, or otherwise handle Federal records, as defined in Section B, regardless of the medium in which the record exists.

12.2. Definitions: “Federal record” as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them. The term federal record:

· Includes VHA records.

· Does not include personal materials.

· Applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to the VHA contract.

· May include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables.

12.3. Requirements: The following standard items relate to records generated in executing the contract and should be incorporated, including, citations to pertinent laws, codes, and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228.

12.3.1. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

12.3.2. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records.

12.3.3. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

12.3.4. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

12.3.5 The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract.

12.3.6. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data.

12.3.7. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

12.3.8. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules.

12.3.9. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.

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