Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

INTRODUCTION Leica Limited -Brand Name or Equal Computer Assisted Stereotaxic Systems for Mice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation NIMH-21-004500 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial ite... INTRODUCTION Leica Limited -Brand Name or Equal Computer Assisted Stereotaxic Systems for Mice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation NIMH-21-004500 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. This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 13--Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The solicitation number is NIMH-21-004500 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334516 with a size standard of 1,000 employees. SET-ASIDE STATUS This acquisition is restricted and is a total small business set aside. ACQUISITION AUTHORITY 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 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 2021-06 dated June 10, 2021. The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through this date. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT Background Current approaches to investigations of brain circuits and systems require detailed analyses of neuronal circuit dynamics at a cellular or greater resolution across multiple brain regions. Projects being pursued by multiple members of the UNAM lab utilize intracranial surgeries to deliver viruses containing genetic constructs that will allow for the mapping, control and monitor the activity of individual neurons. For this many times, the UNAM lab members must inject different virus constructs into different brain areas using different coordinates and different angles. The Angle-2 stereotaxic surgical instrument has different features that will allow the lab members to enable varying the angle of approach between surgeries without loss of accuracy. Other features include: Target setting and path of approach are integrated with an onscreen atlas, either mouse or rat or both. Virtual Skull Flat feature corrects for head tilt. As such, this setup will allow the users to spend less time on each animal, with more accurate results, and vary the angle of approach to avoid confounding action-at-target with path-of-approach. Thus, it would allow us to improve the rigor and interpretability of stereotaxic research without adding heavy calculations or risk of error to the protocol, and therefore design experiments with fewer animals. The unique system will greatly enhance the NIMH mission statement. Additionally, this system is solely obtainable via Leica Large ongoing data subsets, and experiments have been obtained and are ongoing via the existing Leica Angle 2 system within the UNAM unit. Due to the UNAM lab growing and having more members, the need for this equipment has increased, and additional systems are needed to continue their research unabated. The system must match the existing Angle Two systems due to data sets already obtained and for continuity and reproducibility of existing and future experiments. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a requirement for the following Leica Angle Two System: Purchase Description (1) Angle Two StereoTaxic Instrument for Mice; (2) Angle Two; (3) Leica (3) Product # 39464610 quantity 2 (complete systems) Salient Characteristics - See Purchase Description -(Attached) 1. Must match existing Angle Two systems already existing in the UNAM to ensure scientific continuity and reproducibility of experimental data. 2. Angle Two includes computer system configured with software, manual fine drive and installed encoders which keep track of electrode tip location once shown the position of bregma 3. Proprietary software of Angle Two features detailed and complex virtual brain atlas of both rat and mice that is only found on Angle Two 4. Must have Interactive software that allows users to click anywhere on virtual brain 5. Must be able to save multiple user personal settings 6. Leica Angle Two measures head tilt from skull flat and mathematically corrects target position coordinates 7. Must have manual fine drive on dorsal-ventral access. This allows extreme find for precision coordinate targeting and helps to eliminate coordination errors due to overshoot 8. All preexisting accessories (head stages, mounts, ear bars and specialized accessories made by NIMH Section of instrumentation) for the two preexisting Angle two instruments in the UNAM must be useable with new Angle Two systems 9. Must have low mounted fine drive on the vertical axis that minimizes leverage and hand vibration, and allows slow, vibration free and exact movement of a probe in brain 10. The dedicated computer must accept input from 5 sensors, including 3 linear and 2 rotary encoders. Target coordinates in Skull Flat and Bregma may be clicked on in the on-screen atlas. No matter how the manipulator is tilted or rotated, the instrument must display how to move the probe along the 3 linear axes to the selected targets in the brain. Must be accomplished without researcher performing manual calculations. This feature removes the confounding between path of approach (usually straight down with other instruments) and the action at the target 11. Must automatically detects changes in the tilt and rotation angles of the manipulators and adjusts the target coordinates based on these angles as well as for head tilt 12. Dimensions no more than 300 mm x 400 mm x 30 mm 13. Training 14. Warranty Quantity: Two Complete Leica Systems Delivery Requirements/Period of Performance Base Period: 30 days ARO The Contractor shall deliver and install the required items within 30 days of purchase order award to the location listed in the Place of Performance below. Place of Performance The place of performance shall be the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 35A Convent Drive, Bldg 35A, RM 2D975, Bethesda, MD 20892 Contract Type The Government intends to issue a firm fixed price purchase order for this requirement. Invoicing shall be in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act and payment shall be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Response Format Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the salient characteristics of the product. The offeror must identify in their response where parts/equipment are manufactured. The offeror must indicate in their response as to whether the brand-name or equal product proposed can or cannot meet the salient characteristics as stated in this combined solicitation synopsis. In addition, the quote must provide their company name, 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.” EVALUATION Respondents proposing on an equal product of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order. The following is an addendum to 52.212-2. Responses received to this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be evaluated on the basis of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Offeror's submitting a response must provide a completed Price Quote to be evaluated and considered for award. Price quotes must indicate fixed unit pricing and total cost, including shipping cost and estimated time of delivery after receipt of order, and warranty and training considerations. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and/or http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (OCT 2018) The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items. FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in paragraph (b) of the clause at FAR 52.212-5 are also applicable to this acquisition: FAR Clause 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First Tier Subcontract Awards FAR Clause 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment FAR Clause 52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility FAR Clause 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation FAR Clause 52.222-3 Convict Labor FAR Clause 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies FAR Clause 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities FAR Clause 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity FAR Clause 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities FAR Clause 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees FAR Clause 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving FAR Clause 52.225-3 Buy American Act -Free Trade Agreements - Israeli Trade Act FAR Clause 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases Far Clause 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management FAR Clause 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (NOV 2020) FAR Clauses 42.204.24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (OCT 2020). FAR 52.211-6 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL (AUG 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government's needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must- (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by- (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products based on information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. 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 labor costs, 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." CLOSING INFORMATION All responses must be received by 3:00 PM, July 26, 2021 and reference number NIMH-21-004500. Responses may be submitted electronically to michelle.cecilia@nih.gov, and valerie.whipple@nih.gov. Any questions must be submitted by 1:00 PM EST on July 22, 2021. Fax responses will not be accepted. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 – Purchase Description Attachment 2 – FAR 52.204-24 Representation Attachment 3 – Invoice Instructions Attachment 4 – Interim Electronic Invoice Instructions