Telemetry System and Peripherals
**This combined synopsis/solicitation is here by amended to (1) provide a response to a question received and (2) extend the due date of quotations to Friday, August 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Please ... **This combined synopsis/solicitation is here by amended to (1) provide a response to a question received and (2) extend the due date of quotations to Friday, August 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Please see attached Amendment 1.** 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 NIMH-20-04352 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). 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. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-08, dated 13 August 2020. The solicitation is restricted to small businesses. The associated NAICS code is 334516 and the small business size standard is 1000 employees. Supplies or Services and Prices The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) has a requirement for a Telemetry System and Peripherals. Delivery is expected within 30 days after contractor receipt of award. Delivery and installation must be performed at 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 35, Room 3C911, Bethesda, MD 20892 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, local prevailing time, Monday through Friday. Price Schedule Proposal must be accompanied with pricing for a complete telemetry system and peripherals as described below. Background and Requirement The Laboratory on Neuroplasticity is focused on the role of structural plasticity and adult neurogenesis in the function of the hippocampus. In addition to its well-known role in memory, the hippocampus also mediates cognition and mood. Disrupted plasticity in this region may impair an organism’s ability to adapt to changes in the environment and result in the development of mood or stress-related disorders. Because the dysregulation of neurogenesis is implicated in many psychiatric conditions (e.g. PTSD, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia), the objectives of our lab directly support the NIMH’s mission to define the brain mechanisms underlying complex disorders. Our ongoing experiments are based on the central hypothesis that adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus contribute to arousal, emotional regulation, and stress responses. Each of these cognitive states is accompanied by alterations in autonomic nervous system activity and can therefore be examined indirectly by the assessment of real-time changes in cardiovascular activity. In order to supplement the behavioral models currently in use, we will simultaneously measure physiological parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, activity levels, and core temperature. These efforts require a telemetry system, software and peripherals that, at minimum, meets all of the following salient characteristics: Implantable wireless transmission for long-term recording of cardiovascular function in rats and mice while in the home cage and during complex behavioral tasks Implantable transmitters supporting dual-frequency recording to allow for cohabitation between subjects with the ability to acquire data from at least 8 subjects simultaneously for periods of time ranging from hours to weeks Implantable transmitters must have a battery life of at least 28 days The same system must also offer non-invasive ECG transmitters to monitor heart rate dynamics of freely moving rats in a variety of maze environments Software capable of analyzing measured and derived parameters (including time and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability) that is widely accepted in the field and uses validated algorithms The entire system must be fully and seamlessly compatible with our existing fear conditioning hardware (Coulborn Instruments) and software (Actimetrics Freeze Frame), and offer an interface for the integration of additional signals Contract Type and Period of Performance It is the Government’s intent to issue a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order. Delivery is expected within 30 days after contractor receipt of award. Delivery, installation and training must be performed at 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 35, Room 3C911, Bethesda, MD 20892 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, local prevailing time, Monday through Friday. Place of Performance National Institutes of Health - Main Campus NIMH Laboratory on Neuroplasticity 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 35/Room 3C911 Bethesda, MD 20892 (FOB Destination) Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) The following Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract: [To be specified at time of award] The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance. The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation on the basis of lowest price technically acceptable. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that products must meet are as follows: A complete telemetry system, software and peripherals that, at minimum, meets all of the salient characteristics included in Attachment 1, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED AND INCLUDED WITH YOUR QUOTE. To be considered technically acceptable; Respondents must provide brochures and/or published technical specifications that provide evidence of meeting the specifications in Attachment 1. (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, with its offer. The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. Addendum to FAR clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items 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) 52.204-20 Predecessor of Offeror (Jul 2016) 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020) Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Mar 2020) Definition. “Small business concern,” as used in this clause, means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the size standards in this solicitation. (b) Applicability. This clause applies only to- (1) Contracts that have been totally set aside for small business concerns; and (2) Orders set aside for small business concerns under multiple-award contracts as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F). (c) General. (1) Offers are solicited only from small business concerns. Offers received from concerns that are not small business concerns shall be considered nonresponsive and will be rejected. (2) Any award resulting from this solicitation will be made to a small business concern. (End of clause) 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order (Aug. 1989) (a) The Contracting Officer may, at any time, by written order to the Contractor, require the Contractor to stop all, or any part, of the work called for by this contract for a period of 90 days after the order is delivered to the Contractor, and for any further period to which the parties may agree. The order shall be specifically identified as a stop-work order issued under this clause. Upon receipt of the order, the Contractor shall immediately comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimize the incurrence of costs allocable to the work covered by the order during the period of work stoppage. Within a period of 90 days after a stop-work is delivered to the Contractor, or within any extension of that period to which the parties shall have agreed, the Contracting Officer shall either -- (1) Cancel the stop-work order; or (2) Terminate the work covered by the order as provided in the Default, or the Termination for Convenience of the Government, clause of this contract. (b) If a stop-work order issued under this clause is canceled or the period of the order or any extension thereof expires, the Contractor shall resume work. The Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the delivery schedule or contract price, or both, and the contract shall be modified, in writing, accordingly, if -- (1) The stop-work order results in an increase in the time required for, or in the Contractor’s cost properly allocable to, the performance of any part of this contract; and (2) The Contractor asserts its right to the adjustment within 30 days after the end of the period of work stoppage; provided, that, if the Contracting Officer decides the facts justify the action, the Contracting Officer may receive and act upon the claim submitted at any time before final payment under this contract. (c) If a stop-work order is not canceled and the work covered by the order is terminated for the convenience of the Government, the Contracting Officer shall allow reasonable costs resulting from the stop-work order in arriving at the termination settlement. (d) If a stop-work order is not canceled and the work covered by the order is terminated for default, the Contracting Officer shall allow, by equitable adjustment or otherwise, reasonable costs resulting from the stop-work order. (End of Clause) Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020) The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it “does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument” in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. (a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to— (i)Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or (ii)Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles. (2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to— (i)Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or (ii)Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles. (c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for “covered telecommunications equipment or services”. (d) Representation. The Offeror represents that— (1)It ? will, ? will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds “will” in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and (2)After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that— It ? does, ? does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Offeror responds “does” in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. (e) Disclosures. (1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded “will” in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer: (i)For covered equipment— (A)The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known); (B)A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and (C)Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision. (ii)For covered services— (A)If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or (B)If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision. (2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded “does” in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer: (i)For covered equipment— (A)The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known); (B)A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and (C)Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision. (ii)For covered services— (A)If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or (B)If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision. (End of provision) Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020) (a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Backhaul means intermediate links between the core network, or backbone network, and the small subnetworks at the edge of the network (e.g., connecting cell phones/towers to the core telephone network). Backhaul can be wireless (e.g., microwave) or wired (e.g., fiber optic, coaxial cable, Ethernet). Covered foreign country means The People’s Republic of China. Covered telecommunications equipment or services means– (1) Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities); (2) For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities); (3) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or (4) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country. Critical technology means– (1) Defense articles or defense services included on the United States Munitions List set forth in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations; (2) Items included on the Commerce Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, and controlled- (i) Pursuant to multilateral regimes, including for reasons relating to national security, chemical and biological weapons proliferation, nuclear nonproliferation, or missile technology; or (ii) For reasons relating to regional stability or surreptitious listening; (3) Specially designed and prepared nuclear equipment, parts and components, materials, software, and technology covered by part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to assistance to foreign atomic energy activities); (4) Nuclear facilities, equipment, and material covered by part 110 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to export and import of nuclear equipment and material); (5) Select agents and toxins covered by part 331 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 of title 9 of such Code, or part 73 of title 42 of such Code; or (6) Emerging and foundational technologies controlled pursuant to section 1758 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817). Interconnection arrangements means arrangements governing the physical connection of two or more networks to allow the use of another's network to hand off traffic where it is ultimately delivered (e.g., connection of a customer of telephone provider A to a customer of telephone company B) or sharing data and other information resources. Reasonable inquiry means an inquiry designed to uncover any information in the entity's possession about the identity of the producer or provider of covered telecommunications equipment or services used by the entity that excludes the need to include an internal or third-party audit. Roaming means cellular communications services (e.g., voice, video, data) received from a visited network when unable to connect to the facilities of the home network either because signal coverage is too weak or because traffic is too high. Substantial or essential component means any component necessary for the proper function or performance of a piece of equipment, system, or service. (b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. The Contractor is prohibited from providing to the Government any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception at paragraph (c) of this clause applies or the covered telecommunication equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in FAR 4.2104. (2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract, or extending or renewing a contract, with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception at paragraph (c) of this clause applies or the covered telecommunication equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in FAR 4.2104. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. (c) Exceptions. This clause does not prohibit contractors from providing— (1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or (2) Telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles. (d) Reporting requirement. (1) In the event the Contractor identifies covered telecommunications equipment or services used as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, during contract performance, or the Contractor is notified of such by a subcontractor at any tier or by any other source, the Contractor shall report the information in paragraph (d)(2) of this clause to the Contracting Officer, unless elsewhere in this contract are established procedures for reporting the information; in the case of the Department of Defense, the Contractor shall report to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil. For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer for the indefinite delivery contract and the Contracting Officer(s) for any affected order or, in the case of the Department of Defense, identify both the indefinite delivery contract and any affected orders in the report provided at https://dibnet.dod.mil. (2) The Contractor shall report the following information pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this clause (i) Within one business day from the date of such identification or notification: the contract number; the order number(s), if applicable; supplier name; supplier unique entity identifier (if known); supplier Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (if known); brand; model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number); item description; and any readily available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended. (ii) Within 10 business days of submitting the information in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this clause: any further available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended. In addition, the Contractor shall describe the efforts it undertook to prevent use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services, and any additional efforts that will be incorporated to prevent future use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services. (e) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e) and excluding paragraph (b)(2), in all subcontracts and other contractual instruments, including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items. (End of clause) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders–Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. The following clauses listed in FAR clause 52.212-5 that are applicable to the acquisition are: 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Jun 2020) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation With Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2020) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers With Disabilities (Jul 2014) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) 52.223-11 Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Aug 2011) 52.225-1 Buy American – Supplies (May 2014) 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management (Oct. 2018) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable to this requirement. All questions shall be received via email to Valerie Whipple at valerie.whipple@nih.gov before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on 8/21/2020. 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. 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 on or before 8/27/2020 by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time and reference RFQ number NIMH-20-04352. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). Responses shall be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist at Valerie Whipple at Valerie.whipple@nih.gov. Fax responses will not be accepted.
Data sourced from SAM.gov.
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