Maestro Pro, 768-Channel Electrode-Based Assay System

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the
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 number is NICHD-20-194 and is issued as a Request for Quotation
(RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect
through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-07. The North American Industry Classification
(NAICS) Code is 334515 and the business size standard is 750e. However, this solicitation is a
set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition
Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development (NICHD) have a requirement for a vendor who can provide the
following new Axion Biosystems manufacturer products, installation and services:
1. Product# MAESTRO768PRO – Quantity (1) EA
Maestro Pro, 768-channel electrode-based assay system for MEA and impedance
applications. Includes BioCore v4 chip technology, touchscreen real-time interface,
stimulation, recording and data acquisition system, automated temperature and CO2
control, desktop computer, and monitor. Accommodates Axion BioSystems' 6, 24, 48,
and 96-well MEA plates as well as 96-well CytoView-Z plates (SLAS compliant). 1-year
warranty is included
2. Product# NEURO-PRO – Quantity (1) EA
Neural Applications Module for Maestro Pro, AxIS Navigator Software for neural data
acquisition and analysis. Includes neural spikes, field potentials, network activity,
electrical stimulation, and optical stimulation (using Lumos, sold separately).
3. Product# M384-tMEA-24OPT-5 - Quantity (1) EA
Lumos MEA 24 plate, 16 microelectrodes per well, white polystyrene walls with a
transparent SU-8 bottom, includes the Lumos Lid, box of 5 plates
4. Product# INT-OS – Quantity (1) Charge
Installation and Training, 2 days, includes on-site installation and training covering
hardware, software and applications. For Maestro systems.
The MaestroPro is required to investigate the mechanisms that a simple neural circuit uses to
normalize Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-related behaviors during a fever. This is a central
question in the field of Neuroscience that remains unsolved, and so, requires further
investigation. Insights into this area will help us pursue some of the key objectives of the Labsuch
as understanding how other environmental factors like chronic prenatal alcohol exposure
increases susceptibility to ASD. The experiments that will be done on the Maestro Pro system
will quantify the effects of temperature on neural circuit activity before, during and after a fever.
The MaestroPro system is user-friendly and has a 768-channel electrode-based assay for MEA
applications. It also includes BioCore v4 chip technology, touchscreen real-time interface,
stimulation, recording and data acquisition system, automated temperature and CO2 control.
Unlike traditional multi-electroarray (MEA) readers, this stimulation system enables both multiwell
light delivery and individual control of light delivery in each well with microsecond scale precision allowing the user to optogenetically stimulate and modulate neural activity. With its temperature-control feature, this technology will be capable of being used to measure neural circuit activity as temperature is altered.
The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items -Evaluation Procedures: The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, based on lowest price/technically acceptable. Only those offerors determined to be in compliance with the requirements as stated in this solicitation will be considered for award. Non-conformance with this requirement may result in the offeror's quote being determined unacceptable. FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items – Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. The offeror must include their Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with the products/items specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation/offer to the following email address: robinsti@mail.nih.gov by the due date and time below. Attn: Tina Robinson. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Offeror must include the delivery date/timeframe with offer. Quotations will be due fifteen calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis or by August 7, 2020 before 1:00 pm EST. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number” NICHD-20-194 and must include solicitation# NICHD-20-194 in the subject line of email. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov and must include solicitation# NICHD-20-194 in the subject line of email.
Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered as all awards and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) @ www.Sam.gov. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award.