Neo CONSOLES

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 RFQ-NICHD-19-132 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 2019-03. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 334516 with a size standard of 1000. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Digestive, Diabetes & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has a requirement to procure on a sole source basis with Bruker BioSpin Corporation, 15 Fortune Drive, Billerica, MA 01821-3991 to procure five Neo consoles for Bruker NMR spectrometers (one 900, three 600 and one 500 MHz), a Q-band pulse 300 W amplifier for Q-band pulsed EPR spectrometer, and two cryoplatforms for Bruker NMR spectrometers (one 800 and one 600 MHz)".

This award will be for Base + 1 option period.

Currently, Laboratory of Chemical Physics (LCP) is especially interested in developing novel NMR approaches to detect and visualize short-lived, sparsely populated states that are invisible to conventional biophysical and structural techniques. Such species play a critical role in recognition and molecular assembly. Other interests include the development of hybrid strategies to solve the structures of large (> 100 kDa) complexes using a combination of NMR and solution X-ray scattering techniques. The research extends the use of NMR to studies that were previously impossible. For instance, NMR can be used for larger structures. The many proteins and protein complexes we describe are resulting in new insights into fundamental cell operations. LCP's many advances in the use of NMR also include the development of mathematical algorithms and computational techniques that are making analysis of NMR data faster and more efficient. All our NMR instruments and are being used to push the frontiers of NMR spectroscopy in structural biology, with considerable emphasis being placed on the application of these methods to AIDS related structural problems. These include work on HIV-1 Gag polyprotein, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the fusion and cytoplasmic domains of HIV-1 gp41, HIV-1 integrase, HIV-1 protease, and various host proteins that are relevant to the pathogenesis of AIDS. NMR and EPR equipment upgrades are needed for our existing 500, 600, 800 and 900 MHz Bruker Avance NMR spectrometers and Bruker E-580 Q-band pulsed EPR spectrometer (4 console upgrades, two cryoplatforms and one 300 W TWT EPR amplifier) to continue this critical research.

The Q-band pulsed EPR spectrometer is largely used for distance measurements between spin labels using double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy. The higher the power of the amplifier, the shorter the pulses, the stronger the signal intensity and the larger the distances that can be probed. The pulsed Q-band EPR spectrometer is currently equipped with a 150 W amplifier which is rapidly coming to its end of life. A 300 Watt Q-band Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) microwave amplifier will substantially (~4x) increase the sensitivity of DEER experiments performed on the Bruker E580 Q-band EPR spectrometer. This will expand both the range of sample concentrations and the range of spin label-to-spin label distances that can be measured. For favorable samples, 15 uM is presently the lower sample concentration limit of the spectrometer. For favorable samples, 15 uM is presently the lower sample concentration limit of the spectrometer when using the regular resonator with capillary sample tubes. A 300 W TWT would allow one to work with sample concentrations as low as ~2-3 when using the large volume resonator that cannot be taken advantage of with the current 150 W amplifier. For a given sample, the increased sensitivity translates into a 25% increase in distance that can be measured by DEER. This is a significant improvement for the molecular distances typically measured (20-100 Å). It is also important to point out that the increased sensitivity translates into higher throughput (at least 2-3x, practically) of samples of standard concentrations (50-100 uM) and moderate (20-60 Å) spin label-to-spin label distances.

The two cryoplatform replacements for two Bruker spectrometers (600 and 800 MHz) are required as the current units are over 10 years old and are no longer serviceable. The cryoplatform is an integral component of the cryoprobes that involve cooling to liquid helium temperatures, thereby reducing thermal noise and affording increases of 3-5-fold in signal-to-noise.

All our NMR and EPR spectrometers are being used to push the frontiers of NMR spectroscopy in structural biology, with considerable emphasis being placed on the application of these methods to AIDS related structural problems. These include work on HIV-1 Gag polyprotein, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the fusion and cytoplasmic domains of HIV-1 gp41, HIV-1 integrase, HIV-1 protease, and various host proteins that are relevant to the pathogenesis of AIDS.

Details: Item #1
AV4600+BH0040 AVANCE NEO 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer Console
AH0243 SHIM CURRENT BOARD (SCB20)
AH1206 10A GRADIENT AMPLIFIER (GAB/2)
AH1204 GAB/2 2X10A Grad. Ampl. Upgrade
BH0264 1H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA 1H)
BH0269 BB19F GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR XBB19F 2HP)
BH0245 13C GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 13C)
BH0247 15N GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 15N)
BH3072 2H LOCK TRANSCEIVER (L-TRX)
BH0243 2H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 2H)
BH0266 2H-Stop Filter
SHS000-04 TopSpin4 acquisition and processing licence
AP2521 24 inch TFT MONITOR
PCLIN Acquisition PC with LINUX OS
AH0039 PROBE VT ADAPTER THERMOCOUPLE TYPE T
AH1015 VARIABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (BSVT)
BH3401 3CH RF AMPLIFIER (BLABBH2H500/100/150)
BH3420 1CH BROAD BAND RF AMPLIFIER (BLABB500)
BH2075 RF CHANNEL (TRX1200)
SHNS100A-04 Soft Lic NUS Prof. Proc. Pckge ACA
AH0016 AH0016 BCU I
Details: Item #2
E580-AmpQ300 E580-AmpQ300 Q-BAND PULSED 300W TWT

Details: Item #3
AV4600+BH0040 AVANCE NEO 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer Console
Bruker Shim and Sample Transfer System
Basic system characteristics
Acquisition (AQS) characteristics
Bruker Smart Magnet control System (BSMS) supports
High performance and high power preamplifier system (HPPR)
Magnet System

AH0243 SHIM CURRENT BOARD (SCB20)
AH1206 10A GRADIENT AMPLIFIER (GAB/2)
AH1204 GAB/2 2X10A Grad. Ampl. Upgrade
BH0264 1H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA 1H)
BH0269 BB19F GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR XBB19F 2HP)
BH0245 13C GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 13C)
BH0247 15N GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 15N)
BH3072 2H LOCK TRANSCEIVER (L-TRX)
BH0243 2H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 2H)
BH0266 2H-Stop Filter
SHS000-04 TopSpin4 acquisition and processing licence
AP2521 24 inch TFT MONITOR
PCLIN Acquisition PC with LINUX OS
AH0039 PROBE VT ADAPTER THERMOCOUPLE TYPE T
AH1015 VARIABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (BSVT)
BH3401 3CH RF AMPLIFIER (BLABBH2H500/100/150)
BH3420 1CH BROAD BAND RF AMPLIFIER (BLABB500)
BH2075 RF CHANNEL (TRX1200)
SHNS100A-04 Soft Lic NUS Prof. Proc. Pckge ACA
AH0016 AH0016 BCU I

Details: Item #4
AV4600+BH0040 AVANCE NEO 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer Console
BH0266 2H-Stop Filter
AH0243 SHIM CURRENT BOARD (SCB20)
AH1206 10A GRADIENT AMPLIFIER (GAB/2)
AH1204 GAB/2 2X10A Grad. Ampl. Upgrade
BH0264 1H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA 1H)
BH0267 BB31P GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA XBB31P 2HP)
BH0245 13C GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 13C)
BH0247 15N GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 15N)
BH3072 2H LOCK TRANSCEIVER (L-TRX)
BH0243 2H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 2H)
SHS000-04 TopSpin4 acquisition and processing licence
AP2521 24 inch TFT MONITOR
PCLIN Acquisition PC with LINUX OS
AH0039 PROBE VT ADAPTER THERMOCOUPLE TYPE T
AH1015 VARIABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (BSVT)
BH3420 1CH BROAD BAND RF AMPLIFIER (BLABB500)
BH3400 2CH RF AMPLIFIER (BLABBH500/100)
BH2075 RF CHANNEL (TRX1200)
SHNS100A-04 Soft Lic NUS Prof. Proc. Pckge ACA
AH0016 AH0016 BCU I

Option to Purchase in 2020

The AVANCE Neo 900
A V4900+BH0040 AVANCE NEO 900 MHz NMR Spectrometer Console
A H0243 SHIM CURRENT BOARD (SCB20)
A H1206 10A GRADIENT AMPLIFIER (GAB/2)
A H1204 GAB/2 2X10A Grad. Ampl. Upgrade
B H0264 1H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA 1H)
B H0267 BB31P GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA XBB31P 2HP)
B H0245 13C GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 13C)
B H0247 15N GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 15N)
B H0243 2H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 2H)
B H0266 2H-Stop Filter
B H3072 2H LOCK TRANSCEIVER (L-TRX)
S HS000-04 TopSpin4 acquisition and processing license
A P2521 24-inch TFT MONITOR
P CLIN Acquisition PC with LINUX OS
A H0039 PROBE VT ADAPTER THERMOCOUPLE TYPE T
B H2075 RF CHANNEL (TRX1200)
A H1015 VARIABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (BSVT)
B H3401 3CH RF AMPLIFIER (BLABBH2H500/100/250)
B H3420 1CH BROAD BAND RF AMPLIFIER (BLABB500)
S HNS100A-04 Soft Lic NUS Prof. Proc. Pckge ACA
A H0016 AH0016 BCU I

CryoPlatform for AVANCE 800
BH1410 Cryo-Platform/5

The AVANCE Neo 500
AV4500+BH0040 AVANCE NEO 500 MHz NMR Spectrometer Console
AH0243 SHIM CURRENT BOARD (SCB20)
AH1206 10A GRADIENT AMPLIFIER (GAB/2)
AH1204 GAB/2 2X10A Grad. Ampl. Upgrade
BH0264 1H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPLNA 1H)
BH0269 BB19F GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR XBB19F 2HP)
BH0245 13C GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 13C)
BH0247 15N GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 15N)
BH0243 2H GaAs PREAMPLIFIER (HPPR 2H)
BH3072 2H LOCK TRANSCEIVER (L-TRX)
BH0266 2H-Stop Filter
SHS000-04 TopSpin4 acquisition and processing licence
AP2521 24 inch TFT MONITOR
PCLIN Acqusition PC with LINUX OS
AH0039 PROBE VT ADAPTER THERMOCOUPLE TYPE T
AH1015 VARIABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL (BSVT)
BH3401 3CH RF AMPLIFIER (BLABBH2H500/100/150)
BH3420 1CH BROAD BAND RF AMPLIFIER (BLABB500)
BH2075 RF CHANNEL (TRX1200)
SHNS100A-04 Soft Lic NUS Prof. Proc. Pckge ACA
AH0016 AH0016 BCU I

CryoPlatform for AVANCE 600
BH1410 Cryo-Platform/5

Trade-ins and exchanges with Bruker
(a) Bruker Avance Neo 600 MHz console for Bruker 600 MHz spectrometer (NIH 01730019, Bldg. 6/ B1-27, S/N BH 046604) will be traded in for the existing NMR console (NIH 01256884, Bldg. 5/B2-39, S/N BH085801). Note the existing console on the 600 MHz spectrometer in Bldg. 6 (NIH 01730019) will be transferred to the 600 MHz spectrometer in Bldg. 5 (NIH 01256884).

(b) Bruker Avance Neo 600 MHz console for Bruker 600 MHz spectrometer (NIH 01390004, Bldg. 50/B2-04, S/N BH 071194) will be traded in for the existing console on that spectrometer.

(c) Bruker Avance Neo 600 MHz console for Bruker 600 MHz spectrometer (Bldg. 8/B2-A02, S/N BH 030703) will be traded in for the existing console on that spectrometer.

(d) Bruker Avance Neo 900 MHz console for Bruker 900 MHz spectrometer (NIH 01835763, Bldg. 6/B1-27, S/N BH025403) will be traded in for the existing console on that spectrometer.

(e) Bruker Avance Neo 500 MHz console for Bruker 500 MHz spectrometer (NIH 01730550, Bldg. 50/B1-27; S/N BH077707) will be traded in for the existing console on that spectrometer.

TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

A. GENERAL
The major evaluation factors for this solicitation include two parts which shall hold equal merit in determining best overall value to the Government. The two parts are as follows:

1) Technical Evaluation - which encompasses experience and past performance of demonstrating the ability to meet the specifications factors listed (see Section B below);

2) Cost/Price Evaluation proposal will be evaluated for realism and reasonableness.

B. TECHNICAL EVALUATION
Offerors proposals shall be evaluated on the 25-criterion listed below and shall receive an overall rating of, Exceptional Acceptability; Acceptable or Unacceptable. Only proposals that are determined to be Acceptable shall be eligible and considered for award. The definition that will be used in evaluating and rating the criterion is as follows:

• Exceptional Acceptability: Equipment exceeds the specified performance or capabilities in a beneficial way has no major weaknesses or deficiencies.

• Acceptable: Equipment meets specification standards and any weaknesses or deficiencies are considered minor and are readily correctable or acceptable in meeting the overall requirement.

• Unacceptable: Equipment fails to meet the specification(s) and the weaknesses and/or deficiencies are considered uncorrectable without major revisions and would potentially subject the Government to overall risks in performance - either in time and/or money.

TECHNICAL FACTORS: Criteria to be evaluated

1. The NMR spectrometer software and operation shall be fully compatible with Avance III NMR spectrometers and capable of running approximately 900 separate pulse programs developed for Avance-III spectrometers without modifications to computer code

2. The hardware configuration shall be the same as those used on the existing Bruker Avance III NMR spectrometers currently operational in NIDDK, including four radiofrequency channels and the capability to control X, Y, and Z axis pulsed field gradients with amplitudes of 50 G/cm (X and Y) and 70 G/cm (Z axis).

3. The systems shall be fully compatible with all existing Bruker NMR cryoprobes preamplifiers and regulation of sample temperature
4. The spectrometers shall provide a minimum of four frequency channels together with the capability of producing different asynchronous or synchronous composite pulse decoupling and different shaped pulses on all four of these channels simultaneously and independently. The composite pulse decoupling schemes shall be freely programmable by the user and include the option for pulse shaping of the individual elements of the composite pulses. All four channels shall have identical specifications at low rf power levels, except that only two channels require operation over the frequency range for 19H and 1H, and a minimum of three channels shall operate over the frequency range for all other nuclei.
5. The consoles shall be equipped with hardware and software for mapping the magnetic field profile within the sample in three orthogonal dimensions on Bruker room-temperature TXI and cryogenic TCI resonance probes, and include software for making the required homogeneity adjustments under computer control. The spectrometer also shall include the capability to automatically adjust the homogeneity of the magnetic field during the course of multi-hour experiments that include pulsed field gradients, without interruption of the actual experiments or having any other noticeable effect on the acquisition process.

6. The console electronics shall be capable of 0.01 degrees phase resolution, 0.005 Hz frequency resolution and a 90 dB attenuation range on all five channels. The RF phase shall vary by no more than 3o over an attenuation range of 50 dB from full power. Rectangular pulses generated with the pulse shaping unit shall have phases and power levels indistinguishable from regular pulses specified to be at the same numerical attenuation setting.
7. The consoles shall be able to pulse and observe 2H nuclei without physically recalibrating the console.

8. The consoles shall be capable of evaluating the tuning of 1H, 15N, 13C, 2H, and X channels of the TCI and cryogenic TXI probes without recalibrating the system.

9. The long-term pulse amplitude stability on all channels shall be better than +/-1% and phase stability shall be better than +/-1o as measured over a 24 h period in a room where the temperature changes by less than 1.5 oC. This stability is measured from the relative difference between 1D spectra, recorded with a 30o flip angle pulse, continuously over a 24 h period.

10. The console electronics shall permit application of user defined shaped pulses to operate independently on each of the five available channels. The shaped pulses shall allow a minimum of 16000 user-definable elements within a single pulse shape. The dynamic range of each channel for shaped pulses must be at least 80 dB total range, with 0.1 dB resolution.

11. The consoles shall be equipped with a digitizer of at least 16 bits allowing simultaneous sampling of the quadrature receiver channels for spectral widths of up to at least 1 MHz. The system shall also be capable of oversampling and digital filtering of the NMR audio signal. In addition, no DC offset correction in the time domain shall be required on data acquired with a single scan, independent of receiver gain setting.

12. The consoles shall provide access to at least 8 TTL lines that can be addressed by the pulse program for external device control, which are not dedicated to other spectrometer functions.

13. Before high-power amplification, pulse rise and fall times shall be.