Installation and customization of the MWorks application suite

Project Description

Instalation and customization (including 6 months of post-instalation support) of the MWorks application suite, developed by MIT.

Purpose and Objectives

The Unit on Neural Computations and Behavior (UNCB) requires development of a software suite for real-time neurobiology experiments.  The laboratory specifically requires behavioral control software to run key experiments in the laboratory.  To interface with existing laboratory equipment, this software must run on Mac OS X, it must interface with Python and Matlab, it must have a C++-programmable device plugin interface, it must support National Instruments and LabJack USB data acquisition devices, and it must interface with NE500 pump hardware over a serial port.  To facilitate our experiments, it must implement a programmable state system in a language that uses text-based source code to allow source code control and organization, it must allow dictionary (hash table) and array data structures, and it must display visual stimuli with microsecond-resolution timestamping, including sinusoidal gratings that drift and random-dot motion images as described in Salzman et al. Nature 1992. The only option for this software is the program MWorks which is developed by a consortium of academic labs, led by the laboratory of James DiCarlo at MIT.

Period of Performance:

Delivery 30 days ARO with six months support after installation.

CLOSING STATEMENT

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals.  However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. 

An interested Offeror must be able to demonstrate its capabability to independently, and not as an agent of the Government, provide customizabledesign and application software suites for real-time neurobiology experiments with support and customization and critical support for high speed video presentation and equipment control which must have the following characteristics:

1. Must interface with existing laboratory equipment being run via the MWorks application suite, and run on Mac OS X software, interface with Python and Matlab and have a C++programmable device plugin interface.
2. It must support National Instruments and Labjack USB data acquisition devices and interface with NE500 pump hardware over a serial port.
3. Must implement a programmable state system in language that uses text based source code to allow code control and organization. 
4. It must allow dictionary (hash table) and array data structures, and it must display visual stimuli with microsecond-resolution timestamping, including sinusoidal gratings that drift and random-dot motion images as described in Salzman et al. Nature 1992
5. It must be compatible and matching to current design and application software suites for real-time neurobiology experiments.

Responses to this notice must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service.  The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision.  Such factors may include: past performance; special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations.

In addition the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 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 http://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 August 24, 2024 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Responses must be submitted electronically to Tracy Cain at tracy.cain@nih.gov.  

“All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.”