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SOLICITATION No. 75N95022Q00421 TITLE: Inscopix nVoke 2.0 Integrated Imaging and Optogenetics System This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the forma... SOLICITATION No. 75N95022Q00421 TITLE: Inscopix nVoke 2.0 Integrated Imaging and Optogenetics System This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 75N95022Q00421 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2022-07, dated August 10, 2022. This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the FAR Part 13— Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. A fixed-price type of purchase order is contemplated for this requirement. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument manufacturing with associated small business size standard of 1,000 employees. STATEMENT OF NEED AND PURPOSE: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is in need of an Inscopix nVoke 2.0 integrated imaging and optogenetics system (upgrade) to detect the real- time neuronal activity during the animal behaviors, NINDS needs to record/track the deep brain circuit dynamic imaging in freely behaving animals to correlate neural activity with behavior and stimulate the termination projecting from the upstream neurons using optogenetic operation in this system. Calcium imaging takes advantage of calcium indicators, fluorescent molecules that respond to the binding of Ca2+ ions by changing their fluorescence properties. This technique has allowed calcium signaling studies in a wide variety of cell types. In neurons of specific brain regions, electrical activity is always accompanied by an influx of Ca2+ ions. Thus, calcium imaging can be used to monitor the electrical activity in hundreds of neurons in cell culture or in living animals, which has made it possible to dissect the function of neuronal circuits. The optogenetic manipulation allows the researcher to precisely target the unique monosynaptic connection from the upstream region to the target region and controls the neural activity in the target neurons. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: NINDS’ previous project has mainly centered on examining the potential role of a novel single-pass transmembrane protein, Shisa7, in regulating GABAAR functional and pharmacological properties. Our previous work has illustrated that Shisa7 is critically involved in regulating receptor trafficking and kinetic properties. In addition, genetic deletion of Shisa7 selectively impairs GABAergic transmission and diminishes the effects of the GABAAR positive allosteric modulator, diazepam, in mice (Han et al., 2019). These findings indicate that Shisa7 regulates GABAAR trafficking, function, and pharmacology, revealing a previously undiscovered molecular interaction that modulates benzodiazepine action in the brain (Han et al., 2020). NINDS is now focusing on understanding how Shisa7 expressed in specific brain regions and/or cell types regulates GABAAR psychopharmacology in vivo. Our preliminary data have shown that the action of propofol, etomidate, and diazepam on GABAARs and animal behaviors are enormously diminished in global Shisa7 KO mice. Indeed, Shisa7 KO strongly reduced drug-induced potentiation of GABAAR-mediated whole- cell currents in cultured hippocampal neurons and reduced their efficacies in the drug-induced loss of righting reflex in mice. To identify the potential role of regional/cell-type-specific Shisa7 expression in regulating GABAAR psychopharmacology, we will use the activity-dependent genetic labeling to explore and characterize neurons activated by GABAAR-targeting drugs in the brain. Briefly, the immediate early gene cFos will be selected as a marker for recently activated neurons to help identify neurons in the specific brain region that are positive for both Shisa7 and cFos expressions after exposure to the drug. To record the dynamic expression of the cFos-positive neurons, we will need the calcium imaging system to record the real-time neuronal activity and the potential optogenetic manipulation of the explored brain circuits. Meanwhile, integrated imaging and optogenetics systems can provide real-time related evidence to show the precise interaction of neuronal activity and specific animal behaviors. Thus, the lab needs an imaging system to criticize animal experiments and can increase the credibility of the project for the publishing purpose. PROJECT REQUIREMENT: Inscopix nVoke 2.0, or brand name equal, integrated imaging and optogenetics system. The NINDS requires one calcium imaging system for rodents. A platform for visualization of large-scale neural circuit dynamics in numerous anatomical brain regions. Each system shall include a miniature microscope, data acquisition box, acquisition software, and processing software. The system shall incorporate light-weight microscopes (~2 g), implantable gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses, flexible cabling, and sophisticated mathematical algorithms (e.g., constrained non-negative matrix factorization). The system shall provide neuroscientists the capability to stream live, high-definition videos of large-scale neural activity in awake, naturally behaving mice. Refer to Attachment 5 Purchase Description for the brand name or equal salient characteristics and the delivery instructions. APPLICABLE PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The provision at FAR clause 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG 2020) is applicable to this solicitation. Offerors MUST include a completed copy of this provision with their offer, OR provide a copy of the valid certifications from the System of Award Management (SAM) applications at www.sam.gov, which may be indicated on the Offeror’s cover sheet. See attachment. The provision at FAR Clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (JUN 2020) is applicable to this solicitation. The provision at FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items (OCT 2014) applies to this acquisition. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Selection of an offeror for contract award will be based on an evaluation of proposals against five factors. The factors are: Technical, Contract Management and Customer Support, and Delivery, Installation and Set-up, Past Performance, and Price. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, price and past performance are also important to the overall contract award decision. All evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The Government intends to make an award to that offeror whose proposal provides the best overall value to the Government. The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Contractors in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the SOLICITATION. The merits of each proposal will be evaluated carefully. Each proposal must document the feasibility of successful implementation of the requirements of the SOLICITATION. Offerors must submit information sufficient to evaluate their proposals based on the detailed factors listed below. The evaluation factors are used when reviewing the proposals. Technical Capability and Functionality NIDA shall evaluate the offeror’s technical approach for overall capability and functionality in relation to the General Requirement, Salient Characteristics, Quantity and Deliverables as described in the Purchase Description. 2. Contract Management and Customer Support NIDA shall evaluate the offeror’s ability to provide a high level of customer service, particularly in the area of initial responsiveness and resolution of device and service problems. 3. Speed of Delivery, Installation and Set-up NIDA shall evaluate the offeror’s technical approach for completeness, feasibility, soundness and practicality of the proposed approach and work plan for accomplishing the requirements of the statement of work. 4. Past Performance Offerors will be evaluated based on information obtained from references provided by the offeror, other relevant past performance information obtained from other sources known to the Government, and any information supplied by the offeror concerning problems encountered on the identified contracts and corrective action taken. Furthermore, the Government will assess the relative risks associated with each offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror's likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that offeror's record of past performance. The assessment of performance risk is not intended to be the product of a mechanical or mathematical analysis of an offeror's performance on a list of contracts but rather the product of subjective judgment by the Government after it considers all available and relevant information. PRICE EVALUATION Offerors price quote will be evaluated for reasonableness. For a price to be reasonable, it must represent a price to the government that a prudent person would pay when consideration is given to prices in the market. Normally, price reasonableness is established through adequate price competition, but may also be determined through cost and price analysis techniques. Price evaluation will not be conducted on any Offeror determined to be technically unacceptable. Offerors may respond with a proposal indicating their ability to provide the technical specifications stated in this solicitation. Responses will be evaluated based on the contractor’s ability to meet the Government’s requirements. The provision at FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items (JUN 2020), applies to this acquisition. Offerors should include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, with their offer, OR provide a copy of the valid certifications from the System of Award Management (SAM) applications at www.sam.gov, which may be indicated on the Offeror’s cover sheet. Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (OCT 2018), applies to this acquisition. The additional contract terms and conditions are as follows: 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018) 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (OCT 2018) 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (JUL 2016) 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (JUL 2016) 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order (AUG 1989) The provision of FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (AUG 2020), applies to this acquisition. See attachment. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the Offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the Government requirements stated in this solicitation. Cost and price information in the Offeror’s proposal must contain sufficient information to allow the Government to perform an analysis of the reasonableness of the Offeror to supply the required goods/services. Any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision may include such factors as: past performance; special features required for effective service coverage; train-in considerations; warranty considerations; maintenance and service coverage availability; serial, product or catalog number(s); product description; delivery terms, and prompt payment discount terms. The Contractor shall submit its quote electronically. In addition, the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), 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. DATE QUESTIONS DUE: Questions and requests for clarification must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer, Josh Lazarus, at josh.lazarus@nih.gov and the Contract Specialist, Shaun Rostad, at shaun.rostad@nih.gov on or before 11:00 AM EST, September 2, 2022. Fax responses will NOT be accepted. DATE QUOTATIONS DUE: All responses must be received on September 6, 2022 by 11:00 AM EST and must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer, Josh Lazarus, at josh.lazarus@nih.gov and the Contract Specialist, Shaun Rostad, at shaun.rostad@nih.gov, citing the RFQ number and the name of firm in the subject line. Late responses may not be accepted. Attachments: Attachment 1 – FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG 2020) Attachment 2 – FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (OCT 2018) Attachment 3 - FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (AUG 2020) Attachment 4 - Invoice and Payment Instructions Attachment 5 – Purchase Description