Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Unit (NCBU) of the Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch (CNRB) is seeking Capability Statements from Small Business organiz... The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Unit (NCBU) of the Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch (CNRB) is seeking Capability Statements from Small Business organizations under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516, that are manufacturers of a brand name or equal David Kopf Instruments Stereotaxic Alignment Instrument and accessories to be used to investigate neuronal circuits that contribute to opioid use disorder and natural/motivated behaviors such as feeding and fight-or-flight. This instrument is necessary to provide precise and accurate targeting of discrete brain regions that can be difficult to target by traditional surgical frames. This is a Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; (2) the availability of capable Small Businesses; HUBZone Small Businesses; Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; 8(a) Small Businesses; Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; Woman-Owned Small Businesses; or Small Disadvantaged Businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The established NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The U.S. Small Business Administration establishes a size standard for 334516 as 1,000 employees or less. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND OBJECTIVE: The NCBU uses a combination of state-of-the-art optogenetic, electrophysiology, two-photon fluorescence endomicroscopy, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral assays to elucidate the neuronal basis of survival behaviors, such as feeding, and determine how these behaviors are disrupted in eating disorders and drug addiction. The David Kopf Instrument’s Stereotaxic Alignment Instrument facilitates precise and accurate targeting of discrete brain regions that can be difficult to target by traditional surgical frames. Increasing accuracy for difficult injection targets is necessary, because it decreases the total number of animals needed for an experiment. In particular, certain work of the NCBU requires targeting of mouse deep brain regions for BSL2 anatomical tracing studies that are difficult to accurately hit with existing equipment. Notably, this instrument is compatible with both mouse and rat procedures, and this frame will be available for use by any NIDA IRP investigator working with BSL2 reagents in rodents. REQUIREMENT: One brand name or equal David Kopf Instruments Stereotaxic Alignment Instrument with the following equivalent component parts: Stereotaxic Alignment Instrument – includes stereotaxic head holder assembly with sagittal plate. Model 1923-B Mouse Gas Anesthesia Head Holder and Model 1922 Non-Rupture 60 degree Tip Mouse Ear Bars (Model 1900) Digital Manipulator 1 Micron 3-Axis Display Console (Model 1940) Alignment Indicator (Model 1905) Dial Test Indicator (Model 1910) Drill (Model 1911) Scope (Model 1915) Rat Gas Anesthesia Adaptor (Model 1929-B) 45 Degree Tip Non-Rupture Ear Bar (Model 1955) Syringe Holder (Model 1972) Syringe Pump Adapter (Model 1971) Adjustable Stage Platform (Model 1901) Shall include installation, in-person onsite training and an extended warranty. Salient Characteristics: The following features/characteristics are required for this requirement: Enables precise alignment of electrodes to within fractions of a millimeter. Robust and stable, minimizing unwanted movement during surgical procedures. Modular design that allows flexibility in accommodating different sized rats/mice and brain sizes. Compatible with various accessories such as electrode holders, cannulas, and microdrives. Provides precise system for measuring the position of electrodes or other relative anatomical landmarks in the brain. User-friendly and easy to operate. Intuitive controls and adjustable mechanisms that simplify the alignment process, reducing the potential for errors. Anticipated Delivery Date: This equipment shall be delivered within 6 weeks after contractor receipt of Purchase Order. INSTRUCTIONS: Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required product should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. The established NAICS code is 334516. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products and support services specified in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details of the respondents’ (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training; (b) capability to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) compliance with requirements: Vendors must identify and demonstrate specifically how they will meet the requirements listed above. Any other specific and relevant information about this particular area of procurement that would improve our consideration and evaluation of the information presented is desirable. Documentation may include, but not be limited to, contracts both Government and commercial the organization performed, references, i.e., names, titles, telephone numbers and any other information serving to document the organizations capability, e.g., awards, commendations, etc. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the requirement and in the capability statement paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. Any business concerns that believe they possess the capability necessary to successfully undertake the work described above must SUBMIT CAPABILITY STATEMENTS ELECTRONICALLY to the Contract Specialist, Rob Bailey at Rob.Bailey@nih.gov, NO LATER THAN 1:00 p.m. EST on July 11, 2023. The Subject line for the submission should include this Sources Sought Number and organization name. NIDA will not accept paper or faxed capability statements. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).