Neuropixels Probes and Accessories or EQUAL

Sources Sought Notice

The VHA’s Network Contracting Office 21, on behalf of the VA San Francisco Health Care System, is conducting this Sources Sought to identify contractors who possess the capabilities to provide the required Brand Name or Equal Neuropixel Probes to determine their availability, capability and adequacy.

As permitted by FAR Part 10, this is a market research tool being utilized for informational and planning purposes. Your responses will assist the Government in the development of its acquisition strategy for a possible Request for Quote (RFQ), to be issued at a later date, and in determining whether any type of small business set-aside is possible for this procurement or whether full and open competitive procedures should be utilized. If full and open competition is ultimately pursued, responses to this synopsis will be used to aid in establishing small business subcontracting goals.

This notice shall not be construed as a RFQ or as any commitment or obligation on the part of the Government to issue a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request, so quotes will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow-up information requests.

Response is strictly voluntary - it is not mandatory to submit a response to this notice to participate in any formal RFQ process that may take place in the future. However, it should be noted that information gathered through this notice may significantly influence our acquisition strategy. All interested parties will be required to respond separately to any solicitations posted as a result of this sources sought notice.

Items Sought OR EQUAL:

Box of five (5) IMEC Neuropixels 2.0 probes, MPN: NP2014

One (1) Neuropixels cable, MPN: CBL_1000

Destination Shipping to San Francisco, CA 94158, MPN: N/A

Salient Characteristics:

Dimensions: approx. 6.2mm x 40mm

Weight: approx. 440mg

Electrodes: Greater than 5,000 electrodes over four (4) shanks

Channels: 384 or greater parallel low-noise recording channels

Compatibility Requirements:

Must be compatible with existing Sensapex acute recording system

Must be compatible with existing IMEC OneBox acquisition system

Submission Instructions: Responses via email are due NLT 11:00 AM Pacific on 3/14/2025 to leah.smith@va.gov and must include the information requested below. Responses greater than 10 double-sided pages (including all attachments) will not be considered. Late responses will not be accepted. This is strictly market research and the Government will not entertain any questions.

Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. We appreciate your interest and thank you in advance for responding to the Sources Sought.

Qualified firms shall submit a statement of interest on company letterhead demonstrating the firm’s qualifications to provide the necessary items. Responses must be complete and sufficiently detailed to address the specific information. The documentation shall address, at a minimum, the following:

• Business Name and Address:
• Business SAM UEI Number:
• POC Name, email address and contact number:
• Domestic or Non-Domestic End nature of product: Specify Country of Origin and whether each item is Domestic or Non-Domestic End in accordance with FAR 52.225-1.
• Business size and Socioeconomic Category (To be considered as an SDVOSB or VOSB for Market Research purposes, respondents must complete the attached VAAR Clause 852.219-78 (VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING – CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SUPPLIES AND PRODUCTS (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION).
• Authorized Distributor Letter: If proposing a product of another manufacturer, a letter on Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) letterhead stating you are authorized to distribute shall be included in your response.
• Ability to meet the Governments requirement: Government willing to review all responses from vendors proposing Probes and accessories equal to the above stated equipment.  Please provide any product information / capability statements.

Please provide all responses NLT 11:00 AM Pacific on 03/14/2025.