Notice of Intent to Sole Source OptoMotry System Apparatus

This notice announces the intent by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) to procure a brand name OptoMotry System Apparatus without competition as prescribed in FAR 6.302-1. Specifically, the Government will procure this system manufactured by CerebralMechanics Inc.

The OptoMotry 1.8.0 Full Rat Testing Package includes OptoMotry software, testing apparatus, integrated 20 quote mark monitor with computer, video camera, video cards and extension cables. This equipment is used to quantify contralateral eye tracking, head and body rotational responses to a cue or context, which is used in measured rodent virtual optokinetic acuity during behavioral assessments. These are key variables used in ongoing research to model spatial frequency driving acuity under monocular and binocular conditions and screen potential novel therapeutic candidates in an mTBI rodent model.

CerebralMechanics Inc, is currently the only company that manufactures and distributes a system (OptoMotry) for automated monitoring and quantification of spatial frequency driving acuity under monocular and binocular conditions in rats. This system has become the most powerful tool for measuring rodent vision. The mission requirement is an unbiased and systematic tool for analyzing complex visual function of the eyes in rodents. The camera videoing and interface software allow for customized and unbiased determination of cue acuity threshold in a dark chamber environment, with direct numeric output for rapid data analysis and results. This produces a result that is minimally affected by environmental (lighting) and experimenter confounds. This type of system prevents the potential for altering baseline rat behavior (light behavior vs. dark behavior) and unintended scoring bias of results, and therefore meets the needs of the research objectives.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 334516 and the size standard is 500 and FSC 6640.

Proposed solicitation number: W81XWH-15-T-0144.

This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.102(a) (6) and 5.203(a). USAMRAA intends to publish a solicitation no sooner than 15 days after publishing this synopsis. This Special Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects at least fifteen (15) days after the publication of this notice, the solicitation will be issued as brand name only. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to James Cheng at james.cheng1.civ@mail.mil.

Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above email address listed above no later than 9:00 AM ET, 19 March 2015.