Broad Wavelength Range Pulse Laser System

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation: No. NIMH-19-005099 includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2019-1 simplified procedures for commercial items. This acquisition will be conducted under the procedures for acquiring commercial items authorized in FAR Part 12 and under the authority to use simplified procedures for commercial requirements as provided in FAR 13.501.

This requirement is assigned North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516 with a size standard of 1000 Employees is being considered.
Only one award will be made because of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract.
BACKGROUND
The NIMH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting and supporting research on the brain and mental disorders. This research brings hope and effective treatments to the millions of people who suffer from mental disorders, which also benefit their families and friends. Thus, communicating research through distribution of NIMH printed materials provides information to the public and to the professionals who provide for their care.
NIMH Section on Critical Brain Dynamics, (Senior investigator: Dietmar Plenz, PhD) and The Unit on Neural Computation and Behavior (Section Chief: Mark Histed, PhD) require a amplified-pulse laser system for 2-photon imaging. The Plenz and Histed research groups are collaboratively using new methods to stimulate many neurons, two-photon optogenetics. The labs require a laser system that will allow for simultaneous imaging and recording from dozens of neurons in vivo. With this joint purchase, the two laboratory groups can collectively advance the research directives set forth by the Brain Initiative as well as increase our knowledge and understanding of normal brain function and pathology in disease, which ultimately benefits the NIH and NIMH missions.
In vivo cellular imaging methods, including two-photon imaging, currently make it possible to record many neurons, but until recently no method was available to stimulate many neurons with cellular resolution. The Plenz and Histed research groups are collaboratively using a new method to stimulate many neurons, two-photon optogenetics. This approach requires a Carbide + Orpheus-R-DPL DPSS tunable laser system or "equal" laser system in order to simultaneously image and record dozens of neurons in vivo.:
1. Carbide + Orpheus-R-DPL DPSS tunable laser system

The salient characteristics that apply to this acquisition are as follows:
The system must have the following characteristics:

1. ORPHEUS F is a hybrid optical parametric amplifier of white-light continuum pumped by femtosecond Ytterbium based laser amplifiers.
2. OPA combines the short pulse durations that are produced by a non-collinear OPA and wide wavelength tuning range (620 - 900 nm) offered by collinear version.
3. Signal beam can be easily compressed with a simple prism-based setup down to 80 % @ 1200 - 2000 nm
• Dual Pulse Length (DPL) option
f. 650 - 1010 nm (signal), 1050 - 2500 nm (idler) < 290 fs pulse duration
8. Includes warranty for three years

Quantity: 1 Pulse Laser

Delivery Date: November 01, 2019

PAYMENT

Payment shall be made upon the delivery and acceptance of all required items in accord with the Prompt Payment Act.
DELIVERY / INSTALLATION

The Contractor shall deliver and install the required item(s) within 30 days of purchase order award to the following location:

National Institutes of Health
BG 49 RM 3A11, MSC 4460
49 Convent Dr.
Bethesda, MD 20892-4460

CONTRACT CLAUSES/PROVISIONS
The following Federal Acquisition Regulation and Health & Human Services Acquisition
Regulation Provisions/Clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and/or http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/.

Clause No. Title

FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018
FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)
FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)
FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2019).

The following FAR clauses cited in paragraph (b) of the clause at FAR 52.212-5 are also applicable to this acquisition:

FAR Clause 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First Tier Subcontract
Awards
FAR Clause 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with
Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment
FAR Clause 52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding
Responsibility
FAR Clause 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation
FAR Clause 52.222-3 Convict Labor
FAR Clause 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies
FAR Clause 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities
FAR Clause 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity
FAR Clause 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities
FAR Clause 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union
Dues or Fees
FAR Clause 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while
Driving
FAR Clause 52.225-3 Buy American Act -Free Trade Agreements - Israeli Trade
Act
FAR Clause 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases
Far Clause 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award
Management

FAR 52.211-6 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL (AUG 1999)
(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government's needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.
(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;
(2) Clearly identify the item by-
(i) Brand name, if any; and
(ii) Make or model number;
(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and
(4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification.
(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products based on information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.
(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Proposals must be submitted on an SF-1449 with a completed 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items-with DUNS Number Addendum, signed by an authorized representative of the offeror OR provide a copy of valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.
All responses must be received by 5:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time, on August 6, 2019, and reference number NIMH-19-005099. Responses must be submitted electronically via electronic mail at robin.knightly@nih.gov and valerie.whipple@nih.gov .

Fax responses will not be accepted.

EVALUATION

The award decision will be based on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) determination. In order to be acceptable, the product must meet all the salient characteristics listed. Award will be made on all or none basis. If you are providing an "equal" product, you must submit additional documentation that highlights and describes how your offering is equal in accordance with FAR Clause 52.211-6.

PRICE PROPOSAL
The Offeror shall prepare a price proposal that contains all information necessary to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the prices quoted. Specifically, your quote must include the following: Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN); Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number; and Business Size (e.g., small or large).

Contracting Office Address:
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 4211, MSC 9559
Rockville, Maryland 20852-9559
United States

Primary Point of Contact.:
Robin Knightly
robin.knightly@nih.gov
Phone: 301-827-5302

Secondary Point of Contact:
Valerie Whipple,
Contracting Officer
valerie.whipple@nih.gov
Phone: 301-827-5218

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