Rodent Brain Imaging System Ralph H. Johnson VA 109 Bee Street Charleston SC 29401

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

The Department of Veterans Affairs, at the Ralph H. Johnson VA, 109 Bee Street, Charleston SC 29401 intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with iNSCOPIX , Inc. 2462 Embaracadero Way, Palo Atlo CA 94303 pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 for the following:

nVoke Integrated Imaging and Optogenetics System (Brand name or equal)

Product code 1000-002266 with 2 year care package.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Friday, August 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Linda Buccigrossi at linda.buccigrossi@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted.

A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Scope

An integrated Imaging and Optogenetics device that is miniaturized and is capable of providing simultaneous and sequential cellular-resolution imaging and optical manipulation within the same field of view in freely behaving subjects.

The device must be fully integrated into one small and lightweight footprint.

Hardware must be able to decode the signal and software should graphically present it.



Applicable Directives

It cannot connect independently with the internet.

Performance Requirements

The hardware fulfills the following specifications:

Modality

Fully integrated, simultaneous imaging & optogenetics

Integrated LED in microscope

Yes

Focus Adjustment

Easily adjustable integrated turret for fine tuning & focus

Objective Lens NA

0.5

Field of View

GRIN lens dependent

Working Distance

100-300 um

Frame Rate

Up to 50 fps (computer-dependent)

Sensor Format

1440 x 1080 pixels

Weight

2.9g

(Fully integrated illumination optics, LEDs, filters, in scope body)

Data Cable

2.5m

GPIO s

Digital-analogue conversion Box (DAQ-Box): 4TTL, digital, 1 analog SYNC output, 1 TRIG input

(Fully integrated imaging and optogenetic stimulation system)

Fluorophore excitation

435-460 nm

Fluorophore emission

490-540 nm

Optogenetic Excitation

590-650 nm

Opsin/Indicator

GCaMP/Chrimson;

GCaMP/NpHR3.0 or Jaws

Available data on opsin-reporter crosstalk and optimum power settings

Yes



Data Acquisition and Analysis Features:

Data acquisition software must be included as part of the package.

I. The image processing and data analysis software platform must preprocess the raw imaging data and extract Ca2+ dynamics of individual cells.

II.The software allows researchers to correct for brain motion, calculate dF/F, and denoise images, among other manipulations.



III. The data analysis package performs PCA/ICA analysis that allows for the detection of cellular events followed by the extraction of independent Ca2+ signals and sorts them into a relevant context enabling the researcher to extrapolate the observed changes in neuronal activity as a consequence of observed animal behavior.

The company must provide excellent training support and workshops to assist scientists in planning and designing research protocols.

Deliverables

The complete system includes a miniaturized microscope, the DAQ box (digital-analogue converter), data acquisition software, data analysis software, lenses, baseplates and baseplate covers, 1 seat to the accelerate training workshop, as well as technical & scientific support for every stage of the researcher s experiment, 2y service. The device vendor must provide the researcher access (at no additional cost) to field scientific consultants who come to the laboratory to provide on-site training and continued support for users.