Integrated Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics System

Integrated Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics System for in Vivo in free ranging Studies with hardware/software for control and data acquisition/processing.

Notice ID: NIMH20004314

Type: Small BusinessSources Sought

Office: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, Office of Acquisitions, NIDA

Published Date: July 9, 2020

Response Date: July 20, 2020

Reference Number: NIMH20004314

NAICS Code: 334516—Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Title: Integrated Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics System

Description: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service‐ disabled, veteran‐owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran‐owned small businesses; woman‐owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set‐aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made because of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

The NIH has a need for anIntegrated Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics System for in Vivo in free ranging Studies with hardware/software for control and data acquisition/processing.  Specifically, the NIH seeks to integrate new technology that allows scientists to monitor and control the activity of individual neurons in freely behaving rodents.

The system should allow users to monitor and manipulate the behavior of free ranging rodents.  The neuronal cellular monitoring/calcium must be accomplished via brain implantable micro miniature cameras while the manipulation is accomplished via coupled optogenetic either as excitation or inhibition.  The system must come with data acquisition software that controls the calcium data imaging and logging of optogenetic events. 

Capability statement /information sought. The respondents must submit clear and convincing evidence that their product is equivalent or superior to the brand‐name product specified in this notice. The response shall include: the 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 to determine the method of acquisition. The information must address each of the minimum specifications and the equivalent elements of the brand‐name parts stated herein. The response must also indicate the country of manufacturer.

For equipment/supply requirements, small business responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture), as well as (2) the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Nonmanufacturer Rule).

The response must also include their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone, and e‐mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to Valerie Whipple

at Valerie.whipple@nih.gov on or before July 20, 20 12:00 PM and must reference NIMH20004314. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to provide the product or perform the services specified herein.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Beta sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non‐ proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”