Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIMH20003888 TITLE: Multichannel chronic implanted electrode for recording cortical layers in ongoing electrophysiology CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 -- ... NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIMH20003888 TITLE: Multichannel chronic implanted electrode for recording cortical layers in ongoing electrophysiology CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 -- Instruments & laboratory equipment NAICS CODE: 334510 – ELECTROMEDICAL AND ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS MANUFACTURING RESPONSE DATE: June 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM EST PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Thien Nguyen Thien.Nguyen2@nih.gov Phone: 301-827-0914 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 Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to negotiate on a sole source bases with MicroProbes for Life Science, 18247-D Flower Hill Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 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 Small Business Size Standard of 1250 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) 20019-01 dated December 1, 2018. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: Implant chronic multichannel electrode to record the same neural circuits over time with ability to perform fMRI while collecting electrophysiology data. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Section on Cognitive Neurophysiology and Imaging (SCNI) requires the purchase of multi-channel micro wire arrays for conducting longitudinal electrophysiology and functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments to study the neural circuits associated with sensor cognitive processing in the brain. In addition to monitoring multiple neurons simultaneously and tracking changes over time, these multichannel microelectrodes were designed to function in combination with functional resonance imaging (fMRI); SCNI is one of only a few groups in the world to employ this convergence of the latest technical methods of electrophysiology and neuroimaging. Recent advances in electrode technology have improved efficiency in sampling of neural signals by simultaneous measurements across multiple sites as well as allowed for longitudinal sampling of these same sites across durations of weeks and months DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT MicroProbe Multichannel microwire brush array with varyings number microwjre lengths MBA-NC-12.5-64-75-5-430-50(40+10)-Ref-Gr-2MRI – Qty 8 MBA-NC-12.5-64-50-5-430-50(40+10)-Ref-Gr-2MRI – Qty 7 MBA-NC-12.5-64-55-5-430-50(40+10)-Ref-Gr-2MRI – Qty 10 MBA-NC-12.5-64-65-5-430-50(40+10)-Ref-Gr-2MRI – Qty 10 The essential characteristics of the Multichannel chronic implanted electrode for recording cortical layers in ongoing electrophysiology experiment that limit the availability to a sole source are Microprobes for Life Science has over 30 years of expertise in microelectrode fabrication. Unparalleled technical support and the ability to customize unique designs for almost any application. The recent advances in electrode technology have improved efficiency in sampling of neural signals by simultaneous measurements across multiple sites as well as allowed for longitudinal sampling of these same sites across durations of weeks and months. One approach toward simultaneous recordings is the use of micro wire bundles, which can be advanced beyond the edge of the protective and penetrating shaft, thereby causing the micro wires to extend and disperse away from each other. This item is only commercially available by Microprobes for Life Science and is a continuation on ongoing research projects in the SCNI laboratory. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS Multichannel NiChrome with small diameter (example 0.005”) mirco wires, with polyimide insulation. One ground wire extending from connectors; length variable depending on electrode placement (example: 100mm length) One reference wire exposed (a predetermine length example: 2mm) extending from recording wires within the array. Ground and reference wires attached to #A70242 MRI Compatible ground and reference connector contacts. All multichannel wires (example 32, 64, 128 wires) retrofitted into specified length Microfil tube (example 55mm), with all wires extending beyond the Microfil tube a predetermined length per order specifications MR compatible components 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, MicroProbes for Life Science is the only vendor in the marketplace that can provide the services required by NIMH. The intended source is: MicroProbes for Life Science 18247-D Flower Hill Way Gaithersburg, MD 20879 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), GSA#(If available) 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, NIMH20003888. Responses must be submitted electronically to Thien Nguyen, Contract Specialist, at thien.nguyen2@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.