New Behavior IntelliCage 2 – Cage 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-20-259 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 2020-08. The North American Industry Classification
(NAICS) Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1000e. However, this solicitation is
not 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) intend to procure on a sole source
basis with TSE Systems a New Behavior IntelliCage 2 – Cage System comprising of several
items/products. See attached for Specifications.
The lab at the NIH applies transgenic mouse models to determine the neural circuitry
underlying reward-driven behaviors, including alcohol intake. This apparatus will allow the lab
to behaviorally characterize several aspects of behavior, including alcohol intake and motivation
for alcohol intake in, while animals live in a social setting. Monitoring these behaviors in grouphoused
animals has been impossible up to this point. This system allows for detailed behavioral
testing while maintaining the naturalistic aspect of group housing mice.
The IntelliCage is a unique automated solution for high throughput screening of behavioral and
cognitive (learning and memory) performance of group of mice socially housed in a home cage
setting. This unique animal housing solution allows for automated monitoring the cognitive
behavior of animals in social groups with careful consideration of animal welfare, minimal
stress to the animals, and a reduction of routine work for technicians and scientists. With four
operant conditioning corners inside of each IntelliCage, the group housed animals can be
individually investigated in up to twenty validated paradigms. A user can also create their own
novel behavioral paradigms where several IntelliCages can be linked together to increase
experimental throughput or allow parallel experiments. There are no similar
behavioral/cognitive screening systems on the market today and TSE systems is the sole
provider of the IntelliCage System in North America.
The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to
solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of the 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR
6.302. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency
requirements. 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; 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. NOTE TO CONTRACTOR: The contractor shall provide a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. 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 http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Vendors capable of furnishing the government with products specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation/offer to the following email address:
robinsti@mail.nih.gov Attn: Tina Robinson by the due date and time below. 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 seven calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis before August 31, 2020 before 9:00am EST. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number” NICHD-20-259 and “Solicitation number” NICHD-20-259 must be on/in 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-20-259 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.