Software Upgrades to Siemens MRI scanners from Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. (Notice of Intent to sole source)

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal.  The National Institute of Health, Clinical Center (NIH-CC) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc.

The National Institute of Health’s Clinical Center (Program) requires a specific type of software upgrades to its Siemens MRI equipment from Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc..

The National Institute of Health’s Clinical Center (Program) uses MRI machines made by Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc. Currently, MRI imaging studies require long exams that are difficult for many Clinical Center patients who are often very ill and in pain at the time of the MRI procedure. Rapid high-quality imaging is essential for patient comfort, accurate image interpretation and diagnostic assessment. Acquiring high quality images in a short time frame can be very challenging. However, upgrading the MRI machines with new Siemens software can improve the capabilities of the MRI machines. CS SPACE, CS SEMAC, CS TOF and SMSP allow for accelerated image acquisition and shortened scan times, while providing high-resolution images. Benefits include 1 mm isotropic 3D brain images in 3 minutes, 3D sub-millimeter resolution for musculoskeletal MRI, advanced metal artifact reduction techniques in a shorter time and high resolution TOF imaging in 2 minutes. Using CS-SPACE with MRCP in the abdomen, it is possible to acquire high resolution 3D datasets of the pancreatic and biliary duct system in a single short breath-hold or with free breathing in 1-2 minutes. Clinical Center patients would benefit greatly from shortened MR scan times, and patients would greatly benefit from the ready availability of this software application on all available Siemens 1.5 T magnets.

Program’s MRI Section has three existing Siemens 1.5T Sola/SolaFit MRI scanners. The purpose of this acquisition is to bring all three scanners to the same level of application capability. Currently, the applications to be procured are not installed on all three scanners.

Siemens Medical Solutions, Inc is the only vendor that can provide these proprietary software upgrade scanning sequences for the three (3) Siemens Sola/SolaFit 1.5T MRI scanners currently installed in RADIS. MRI sequences and applications must be cleared to market by the FDA and there are no other vendors that meet the requirements needed for this contract

These applications are needed to be installed on existing Siemens MRI scanners in the department. No vendor other than the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), which is Siemens, can supply their proprietary equipment software.

No other brand can provide the following for use with our existing Siemens MRI scanners:

• Compressed Sensing TOF for accelerated Time of Flight Angiography
• Compressed Sensing SPACE pulse sequence for accelerated 3D imaging • Improved spatial and/or temporal resolution with reduced scan time
  • Optimized protocols for musculoskeletal imaging
  • Supports T1, T2 and PD imaging
• Native Syngo application package with sequences and procols including:
  • Non-contrast enhanced 3D MRA
  • High spatial resolution
  • Enables abdominal and peripheral vessel imaging as an alternative to MRA with contrast medium
• Compressed SENSE Essential – acceleration technique to speed up sequences for faster scanning
• QISS packages with sequences, protocols, and Dot Addln for non-contraact enhanced peripheral MRA.
• QISS to enable higher reproducibility than existing methods – is an alternative to MR angiography techniques with contrast medium
• QISS enables MRA especially for patients with severe renal insufficiency

The required software are as follows:

1. 1x Native syngo #Tim (Part #14409198)
2. 1x QISS #T+D (Part #14441813)
3. 1x Native syngo #Tim (Part #14409198)
4. 1x QISS #T+D (Part #14441813)
5. 1x Simultaneous Multi-Slice Package #BM (Part #14461558)
6. 1x CS TOF #BM (Part #14461589)
7. 1x CS SPACE #BM (Part #14461590)
8. 1x CS SEMAC #BM (Part #14461591)

Place of Performance or Delivery:

The estimated delivery period is within four (4) weeks of award.

Place of Performance: NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  All responsible sources that could provide the required may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-CC-24-008563) by 4:00 pm eastern standard time on 07/09/2024 to: lu-chang.lu@nih.gov

All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.