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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 Institute of... 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 Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Blackrock Microsystems LLC for MultiPort LED arrays and CerePort Plugs NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334510 – ELECTROMEDICAL AND ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS MANUFACTURING with a Size Standard of 1,250 employees. This acquisition is set aside for small businesses. 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) 2020-05 dated March 30, 2020. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Laboratory of Neuropsychology requires LED MultiPort Assemblies and matching connector cables for optogenetic stimulation in nonhuman primates. The NIMH is pursuing a novel and groundbreaking research program to probe the nature of visual perception. NIMH is conducting optogenetic stimulation studies in nonhuman primates engaged in decision making tasks. Implanted light emitting diode (LED) arrays activate virus-transfected opsins injected into specific areas of the primate visual system. The requested components are essential to conducting this research and to achieving the program objectives of understanding the fundamental brain processes of visual perception in health and disease. Purchase Description: (Item 1) P/N 8952. Quantity 8. LED array: Blackrock Microsystems LED Microport Array with Cereport, (Item 2) P/N 4020. Quantity 2 Connector: Blackrock Microsystem Cereport Plug (Pogo-pin) Standalone, The salient product characteristics are as follows: (Item 1) MultiPort LED array Fully implantable into nonhuman primate Tested in vivo for function, biocompatibility and longevity 5x5 LED array High intensity green LEDs Transcutaneous connector Minimum 21 working LEDs Plug-compatible with existing drivers and connectors (Item 2) CerePort Plug standalone Pogo-pin design Can simultaneously deliver full current to all LEDs The CerePort connector and cabling system is a product unique to Blackrock Microsystems. The plug, adapters and cables are requested on a sole source basis because there is no other device or technology interchangeable with the proprietary Blackrock Microsystems device NIMH uses that has been validated in nonhuman primates. Only Blackrock Microsystems can supply these components for the LED stimulation devices NIMH has implanted in its animals. Even if a competing company or technology emerges, it would have to be validated by NIMH during an on-going experiment. 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. Specifically, Blackrock Microsystems Inc. is the only vendor in the marketplace that can provide the products required by NIMH. The intended source is: Blackrock Microsystems 630 Komas Dr Ste 200 Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1229 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. All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIMH20003577. Responses must be submitted electronically to Michael Horn, Contract Specialist, at michael.horn@nih.gov. and Valerie Whipple, Contracting Officer, at valerie.whipple@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.