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NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIMH-NOI-21-004713 TITLE: Sperm analyzer with incorporated microscope, video capture, and analysis software CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 -- Instruments ... NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIMH-NOI-21-004713 TITLE: Sperm analyzer with incorporated microscope, video capture, and analysis software CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 -- Instruments & laboratory equipment NAICS CODE: 334510 - Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing RESPONSE DATE: July 13, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Michael Horn michael.horn@nih.gov Phone: (301) 827-5871 DESCRIPTION: INTRODUCTION THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME). The National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Hamilton Thorne, Inc. for Sperm analyzer with incorporated microscope, video capture, and analysis software for the NIH National Institute of Mental Health Transgenic Core in Bethesda, MD. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under 334510 - Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing with a Size Standard of 1,250 employees. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6—Competition Requirements. FAR Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source provides that: For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, Contracting officers may solicit from one source IF the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name OR industrial mobilization). The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-06 dated June 10, 2021. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT Preserving and recovering transgenic animal lines from frozen sperm samples is a critical function of the NIMH Transgenic Core. For rodents this procedure reduces the number of lines that must be maintained as live animals at a great expense of manpower, space, and time. For nonhuman primates, the expansion of genetic diversity and exchange of transgenic lines requires new methods for cryopreservation and recovery. To efficiently perform these procedures, the progressive motility of samples must be determined and documented for archived and shipped samples. A sperm analyzer is needed to evaluate samples to be used for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination (AI) for all species that are used in the NIMH Transgenic Core to generate transgenic research models. Salient characteristics: Sperm analyzer with incorporated microscope, video capture, and analysis software: The optical system will be integrated and have a heated stage, 4X and 10X objective lenses. The integrated computer will have USB ports to download information, with sufficient RAM and Hard drive 8GB and 1 TB, respectively, an optical drive recorder and a 24” monitor. Images will be stored as RAW digital files with associated parameters as well as modification of parameters after collections. Reporting software will be included. Software will be able to count, calculate concentrations, motility, progressive motility and static cell analysis, velocity, both straight and curved as well as motion parameters (linearity, straightness, frequency of beat, lateral head displacement and wobble). Quantity: One Delivery Date: Delivery is expected within 60 days of the award of the contract. The life span of IVOS II sperm analyzer should be at least 3 years. A minimum of at least an one-year comprehensive warranty is required. CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION The determination by the Government to award a contract without providing for full and open competition is based upon the market research conducted. The essential characteristics of the Hamilton Thorne IVOS II Sperm Analyzer that limit competition is a compatibility requirement with the existing system. The equipment must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with the existing system presently in use. The current equipment, a Hamilton-Thorne CEROS sperm analyzer, no longer meets the requirements of the transgenic core. NIH requires an updated version of the existing equipment; however, current testing parameters will be used to tune the IVOS II sperm analyzer for use with multiple species – a core function of the laboratory. A compatibility requirement with the existing system in order to continue using current testing parameters can only be satisfied by a Hamilton Thorne analyzer. The intended source is: Hamilton Thorne, Inc. 100 Cummings Center, Suite 465E Beverly, MA 01915-6143 CLOSING STATEMENT THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. 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 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 must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIMH-NOI-21-004713. Responses must be submitted electronically to Michael Horn, Contracting Officer, at michael.horn@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.