Wireless Single Unit Recording System for Nonhuman Primates

NON-COMPETITIVE
COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

Title: Wireless Single Unit Recording System for Nonhuman Primates

(i)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.

(ii)The solicitation number is NIHDA201800385 and the solicitation is issued as an request for proposal (RFP).

This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) COMBINED SYNOPSIS SOLICITATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME).

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Station Support Contracts on behalf of the National Institute of Mental Health intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (Including brand-name) to Triangle Biosystems International, 2224 Page Rd Suite 108, Durham, NC 27703-8908 for Wireless Single Unit Recording System for Nonhuman Primates.
This acquisition is conducted as non-competitive for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the FAR Subpart 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and 13.501 Special documentation requirements and the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 and the statutory authority of 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-97, dated January 1,2018.

(iv) The associated NAICS code 334510 and the small business size standard 1,250 employees.

(v) Statement of Need

The Laboratory of Neuropsychology investigates higher brain functions such as perception, memory, and social reward. We will be working on a series of studies that investigate the neural underpinnings of socially motivate behavior. This work in nonhuman primates requires recording single units from deep brain structures in nonhuman primates interacting under social circumstances. The requirement is to obtain a wireless single-unit recording system that works with electrodes designed in the Laboratory of Neuropsychology to reach deep brain targets (Leopold brush electrode arrays). A major problem with wireless solutions for nonhuman primates is the size of the implant, susceptibility of the system to repeated connections, and mechanical damage. We require a system that allows elimination of high density connectors. This can be done by direct wire-bonding our brush arrays to a preamplifier/multiplexor that can be permanently implanted with the electrodes.

Background Information

This is the first acquisition of a wireless recording system for the Section on the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. This purchase is to advance the capabilities of the section from seated, head-fixed recordings to freely moving animals, which will enable far greater flexibility in the study of social behavior. Without a wireless recording system, the Laboratory of Neuropsychology would be unable to expand its ability to research the neurophysiology of relationships between conspecifics.

See attached Purchase Description for further detail.

Technical Evaluation Criteria attached.

(vi) Period of Performance: One year from date of award.

(viii) The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices. FAR 52-213-4-Simplified Acquisitions (Other than Commercial Item)

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

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 price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount.

In addition the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov."

All responses must be received by 5:00pm EST on Tuesday, August 28th and reference number NIHDA201800385. Responses may be submitted electronically to Stephanie Dewitt, stephanie.dewitt@nih.gov.

Fax responses will not be accepted.

(x) The name and telephone number of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation Stephanie Dewitt, stephanie.dewitt@nih.gov.

.