Broad Wavelength Range Pulse-Laser System - Amendment 1

Broad Wavelength Range Pulse-Laser System

Competitive Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

NIMH-20-003906

INTRODUCTION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the

format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This

announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written

solicitation will not be issued. This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the

procedures of FAR Part 13--Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

The solicitation number is NIMH-20-003906 and the solicitation is issued as a request for

quotation (RFQ).

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE

The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334516 with a size standard of

1,000 employees.

SET-ASIDE STATUS

This acquisition is not restricted and is available for full and open competition.

ACQUISITION AUTHORITY

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part

12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition

threshold.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through

Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-07 dated August 3, 2020. The resultant contract will include

all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through this date.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

Background

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal Agency for research on

mental illnesses. The mission of the NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of

mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery,

and cure.

The Section on Critical Brain Dynamics, NIMH (Senior investigator: Dietmar Plenz, PhD)
requires a pulsed laser for their 2-photon imaging needs. The Plenz lab studies normal and
pathological brain dynamics in awake behaving transgenic mice using laser technology. In
short, the imaging laser excites fluorescent molecules that are being expressed in nerve cells
of a mouse. This excitation allows for monitoring simultaneously the activity of thousands of
neurons in the behaving animal. Using animal models for mental disease, the Plenz lab derives
statistical features of normal and pathological brain function in order to identify mechanisms of
mental diseases.

Purpose

The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase a complete Chameleon Discovery NX System or

“equal” complete broad wavelength range pulse-laser system. The purchase is required due to

recent advances in laser technology and fluorescent molecule design. A modern laser for 2-

photon imaging needs to cover a broad range of wavelengths to take advantage of modern

fluorescence molecules/probes. Specifically, the lab needs to be able to excite probes in the

short wavelength range of ~800 nm as well as long wavelength range of up to 1300 nm.

Project Requirements

See Attached Purchase Description for detailed product requirements.

Delivery Requirements/Period of Performance

Base Period: 12 Weeks ARO

The Contractor shall deliver and install the required items within 12 Weeks of purchase order

award to the location listed in the Place of Performance below.

Place of Performance

The place of performance shall be the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental

Health (NIMH), NIH Bethesda Main Campus, 35 Convent Drive, Bldg. 35 Room 3A-100,

Bethesda, MD 20892.

Contract Type

The Government intends to issue a firm fixed price purchase order for this requirement.

Invoicing shall be in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act and payment shall be made via

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Response Format

Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s

capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the salient characteristics of the product.

The offeror must identify in their response where parts/equipment are manufactured.

The offeror must indicate in their response as to whether the brand-name or equal product

proposed can or cannot meet the salient characteristics as stated in this combined

solicitation synopsis.

In addition, the quote must provide their company name, Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in

the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management

(SAM) www.sam.gov.”

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 in the product description. 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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/.

The Offerors to include a signed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.204-24 Representation

Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG

2020), with its offer.

The Offerors to include a signed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.204-26 Covered

Telecommunications or Services Representation (AUG 2020), with its offer.

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (OCT 2018)

The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror

Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer.

The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items. See Clauses

attachment.

FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or

Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See clauses attachment.

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.

The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's

capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price

proposal must include labor costs, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials,

and the total amount.

In addition, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN),

and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have

an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov."

CLOSING INFORMATION

All responses must be received by 2:00 PM, Monday, August 17, 2020 and reference number

NIMH-20-003906. Responses may be submitted electronically to robin.knightly@nih.gov, and

valerie.whipple@nih.gov. Any questions must be submitted by 2:00 PM EST on Thursday,

August 13, 2020.

Fax responses will not be accepted.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Purchase Description

Attachment 2 – 52.212-4 and 52.212-5

Attachment 3 – 52.204-24, 52.204-25, 52.204-26 and 52.212-3 Clauses

Attachment 4 – Invoice Instructions