EchoInsight Upgrade plus Support and Maintenance

Added: Sep 09, 2016 3:27 pm INTRODUCTION

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Ultrasound Medical Devices, Inc. (dba Epsilon Imaging), 3917 Research Park Drive Suite B7, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108-2354, to provide an EchoInsight Pro 3-seat software upgrade plus the associated support and maintenance agreement for NHLBI's Echocardiography Laboratory.

BACKGROUND

The Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Branch's Echocardiography Laboratory performs comprehensive cardiac imaging for NHLBI and all institutes at the Clinical Research Center. They collaborate in prospective and retrospective cardiovascular phenotyping studies and implement new technologies as necessary for detailed assessment of ventricular systolic and diastolic function, valvular abnormalities, and structural heart disease. Research applications of lab's work include 3D imaging for structural cardiac defects, strain imaging for ventricular function, contrast imaging for left ventricular size, function, and evaluation of intracardiac abnormalities, contrast perfusion imaging of myocardium and skeletal muscle for the evaluation of microvascular flow, and protocol-specific imaging of patients with mitral regurgitation to evaluate newer methods for quantitation of regurgitation severity.

A previous version of this software has been in use by the Echo Lab since 2013. In relation to research protocol studies, the upgrade will improve the lab's ability to provide crucial information, and for select clinical exams it will enable the lab to detect and track early cardiac disease that are usually not detected on routine basic ultrasound.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure an EchoInsight Pro 3-seat software upgrade plus an associated support and maintenance agreement for NHLBI's Echocardiography Laboratory. This program will allow for advanced imaging analysis of echocardiogram images from all of the lab's currently owned echo machines. It will also allow for research analysis of strain and other related measures which are used to detect subtle changes in regional and global myocardial function. The acquisition of this functionality is essential to the research mission of the Echo Lab because it will be required in multiple upcoming clinical protocols for which the lab will be providing echocardiography support.

JUSTIFICATION

Through the market research performed, we have determined that Ultrasound Medical (dba Epsilon Imaging) is the only vendor currently offering a software package that meets all of the capability requirements of the Echocardiography Lab. Moreover, a previous version of this software is currently being operated by the Echo Lab. Procuring an upgrade for this software package will ensure that the continuity of the data is not compromised.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source (for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold) and only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541519, Other Computer Related Services, and the Small Business Size Standard is $27.5 million. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable (FAR Part 6.001). The resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-89 (August 15th, 2016).

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

All responses must be received by September 15, 2016 at 9:00AM EST and must reference synopsis number NHLBI-CSB-HL-2016-311-KMA. Responses shall be submitted to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, COAC Services Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6127, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Kevin Alvarez. Responses may be submitted electronically to kevin.alvarez@nih.gov. Faxes will not be accepted. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. "All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency."