Inactive

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 the availability and capabil... 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 the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond. For equipment/supply requirements, small business responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture), as well as (2) the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Background: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has a current need to upgrade a Bruker/IECO gradient cabinet to 400 A / 700 V output. Purpose and Objectives: Upgrading the 7T MRI scanner’s gradient amplifiers will increase the maximum gradient strength and slew rate for imaging applications, permitting scanning with thinner slices (i.e., higher resolution) and shorter echo time (TE). This has the advantage of replacing 3D with 2D experiments, which reduces scan time, and enabling the study of tissues such as myelin, cortical bone, tendon, ligament, and mineralized cartilage using ultrashort-TE (UTE) sequences, respectively. In addition, stronger diffusion gradients may be applied in experiments such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), thereby facilitating advanced white matter fiber tracking and evaluation of myelin content and integrity. Further, stronger diffusion gradients enable state-of-the-art DTI studies of skeletal muscle and other tissues with low diffusivity. Thus, the proposed upgrade will both improve the performance of existing imaging methods and open new applications otherwise inaccessible with existing hardware. Project requirements: 1. Additional gradient amplifier units must be physically and electrically compatible with Bruker / IECO 200 A / 300 V gradient rack on existing Biospec 70/30 USR MRI scanner equipped with AV3HD electronics. 2. Maximum output current on each amplifier channel (X, Y and Z) must be at least 400 A. 3. Maximum output voltage on each amplifier channel (X, Y and Z) must be at least 700 V. 4. Following upgrade, gradient amplifier system must remain functionally compatible with existing Bruker GRASI 2 gradient controller. This requirement includes: Digital communication of gradient waveforms from GRASI 2 to each gradient amplifier. Digital monitoring of amplifier status by GRASI 2 for each gradient channel (X, Y and Z). Master clock synchronization between GRASI 2 and gradient amplifier system Remote startup and shutdown of gradient amplifier system by GRASI 2 controller. 5. Upgraded gradient amplifier system must be functionally compatible with Bruker ParaVision 6.0.1 software. This requirement includes: Adjustment of pre-emphasis and RC time constants through ParaVision software interface Execution of gradient waveforms defined and selected in ParaVision pulse programs Supervision and remote service of gradient amplifier system through Bruker TopSpin software “ha” command. 6. Upgraded gradient amplifier system must be physically, electrically and functionally compatible with existing Bruker BGA12S-HP gradient coil. This requirement includes: Compatibility with cables carrying gradient current to gradient coil through Faraday cage filter plate Matching inductance of X, Y and Z channels of BGA12S-HP gradient coil (115, 100, 100 uH, respectively). Matching resistance of X, Y and Z channels of BGA12S-HP gradient coil (120, 110, 100 milliohms, respectively) 7. Upgraded rack must operate on 400 volt three-phase 20 A 60 Hz circuit. Anticipated delivery: The anticipated delivery date is 6 months after receipt of the order. The anticipated date for installation and startup is 2/1/2023. Other important considerations: In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25. Capability statement /information sought. Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project 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. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Eric McKay, Contracting Officer, at e-mail address eric.mckay@nih.gov. The response must be received on or before July 15, 2022, 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. “Disclaimer and Important Notes: 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 presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.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).”