Two Photon Microscope for National Institute of Mental Health

INTRODUCTION
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number is HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-CSS-15-350 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE
The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334516 with a Size Standard of 500 Employees.

SET-ASIDE STATUS
This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses and is available for full and open competition.

ACQUISITION AUTHORITY
This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and IS expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-85, dated May 7, 2015. The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through this date.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT
Purpose
The purpose of this procurement is acquisition of one (1) two-photon microscope to perform in-vivo analysis of neural circuits. The requirement is for National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Intramural Research Program (IRP) Unit on Synapse Development and Plasticity.

Project Requirements

The Contractor shall be able to provide a two-photon microscope with the following features and capabilities:

1. The two-photon microscope must come with all software and hardware necessary to fully utilize the two-photon microscope's capabilities.

2. The two-photon microscope must offer a function of simultaneously photo-stimulating multiple neurons (by illuminating opsins such as channelrhodopsin) in a 3-dimentional space in mouse and rat brains.

3. The two-photon microscope must offer a function of photo-uncaging caged neurotransmitters.

4. The two-photon microscope must offer a function of simultaneous uncaging and image acquisition.

5. The two-photon microscope must offer a function of simultaneous photostimulation and image acquisition.

6. The two-photon microscope must have epi-fluorescence illumination for locating fluorescent cells.

7. The two-photon microscope must have motor control to translate the microscope at the x-y plane.

8. The two-photon microscope must have a 8Hz resonant galvanometer scanner.

9. The two-photon microscope must have optics for two Gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) end-on photomultipliers (PMT) for detection of fluorescence in vivo.

10. The two-photon microscope must come with optics and filter sets for imaging cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and Discosoma red fluorescent protein (dsRed).

11. The two-photon microscope must have the optics for 3 infrared lasers: 1 imaging laser, 1 photostimulation laser and 1 uncaging laser.

12. The two-photon microscope must come with a one-year warranty.

13. Following installation, the contractor must supply on-site application training to familiarize 12 users with the proper functioning and control of the microscope. Training must be provided within two weeks of equipment installation and calibration.

14. Interested contractors shall perform a site survey during this request for quotation solicitation period, at their expense, for field measurements that could ultimately influence the final installed instrument. Please see site visit information below.

Site Visit
Interested contractors may schedule a site visit relating to this requirement. Site visits may be scheduled on the date(s) May 13, 2015, May 14, 2015, May 18, 2015, or May 20, 2015 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM EST. Alternatively, site visits may be scheduled on May 15, 2015 between the hours of 1:30 and 3:30 PM EST. Site visits shall be one hour per contractor. If necessary, additional times may be available on these dates. Site visits shall be scheduled via written request to the contract specialist, Lauren Phelps, via email at lauren.phelps@nih.gov. Requests must be received by 10:00 AM EST the day before the requested site visit. Site visits shall not be scheduled for requests not submitted in accordance with this requirement.

Please note that contractors should consider time for parking, walking, and the visitor badging process when planning a visit to the NIH Campus for a site visit. Parking shall not be provided. Visitor garage space is available on campus for a fee.

Question and Answer Period
Interested contractors may submit questions relating to this requirement. Questions shall be submitted to the contract specialist, Lauren Phelps, via email at lauren.phelps@nih.gov by or before 11:00 AM EST on May 13, 2015. Late questions shall not be accepted. Questions will be anonymized and answered and the answers will be provided as soon as possible after the question deadline via solicitation amendment. Should no questions be received, no amendment shall be posted.

Delivery Requirements/Period of Performance
The microscope shall be delivered within fourteen (14) weeks after contractor receipt or award. Access to freight elevators shall be provided. The contractor must provide personnel and equipment capable of ensuring equipment delivery and installation at the customer install site, including the specific room at the place of performance. Training shall be provided within two weeks after equipment delivery.

Place of Performance
The place of performance and delivery location shall be 35 Convent Drive, Building 35, Bethesda, MD 20892.

Contract Type
The Government intends to issue a firm fixed price contract for this requirement.

APPLICABLE CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS
All Offerors MUST be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items applies to this acquisition.
A completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, is required with any offer submitted. This requirement may be met by completion of the provision in the System for Award Management.

FAR clauses 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items and 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial items apply to this acquisition.

The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items applies to this acquisition and the specific evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of that provision are as follows:

The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation on the basis of best value, technical factors and price considered. Technical factors together shall be considered more important than price. The technical evaluation factors are as follows, in order of importance:

Factor 1: Technical Approach
The Offeror shall detail in its technical proposal how it shall meet each of the project requirements. This shall include the specifications of the offered equipment. The Government shall evaluate proposals for their ability to meet each project requirement.

Factor 2: Delivery, Installation, Calibration, and Training
The Offer shall detail in its technical proposal how it shall meet the delivery, installation, calibration, and training requirements. The Government shall evaluate proposals for quality and efficiency of proposed delivery, installation, calibration, and training.

RESPONSE FORMAT
Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The offeror must submit a technical response and a separate price quotation.

The technical response should be prepared in reference to the evaluation criteria identified in this solicitation and shall not exceed 15 single-sided pages.

The price quotation must include pricing for the required microscope and training. Any delivery and installation fees must also be included.

Contractors must provide their Company Name, Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Business Size, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information in their responses. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov."

Note
Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision.

CLOSING STATEMENT
All responses must be received by the closing date of this announcement and must reference solicitation number HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA- CSS-15-350. Responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Lauren Phelps, Contract Specialist, at lauren.phelps@nih.gov.