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The intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify in locating capable small businesses, including Service Disabled and Veteran Owned small businesses, or any business size. Responses to this Sou... The intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify in locating capable small businesses, including Service Disabled and Veteran Owned small businesses, or any business size. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice should demonstrate the firm's ability, capability, and responsibility to provide the principal components of supplies listed in the attached document. Responses should include the following information: Business name, address, Point of Contact, business size info. All information is to be submitted via e-mail at walida.moore@va.gov. This is a Sources Sought Notice and submissions will be used for informational and planning purposes only. This notice DOES NOT CONSTITUTE a formal Request for Quote (RFQ), NOR IS THE GOVERNMENT OBLIGATED to issue an RFQ. In addition, the Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. See attached document: DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Notice of Intent to Sole Source Please provide your entities capability statement to equip Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center with a brand name or equal CO-Axial Electrospinner equipment that are ready to enter our inventory and an authorized distribution letter. Remit to Walida A. Moore - Contract Specialist by January 28, 2020 at 3:00 pm EST to the email walida.moore@va.gov. Reference solicitation number 36C24420Q0259 in the subject of the email. Electrospinning is a widely used technique for the electrostatic production of nanofibers, during which electric power is used to make polymer fibers with diameters ranging from 2 nanometers to several nanometers from polymer solutions or melts. This process is a major focus of attention because of its versatility and ability to continuously produce fibers on such a small scale, which is difficult to achieve using other standard technologies. The application of nanomaterials in biomedicine is currently at the forefront of development. Compared with the conventional materials, the surface area of nanostructured material is undoubtedly much larger, allowing for the adhesion of cells, proteins and or active ingredients. Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedicine: Tissue Engineering (replacement of damaged tissues including the skin, bones, cartilage, lymph nodes, blood vessels, muscle, and other tissues) Drug Delivery (biodegradable or non-biodegradable nanomaterials can be used to control the release of drugs either through diffusion alone or through diffusion and degradation) Scaffolds (sufficient surface and various surface chemical properties facilitating cell adhesion, growth, migration and differentiation can be achieved using biocompatible nanofibers) Wound Healing (novel dressing materials made from spun biopolymers containing various active components beneficial for wound healing with fiber segment sizes ranging from tens of nanometers to several microns). The proposed equipment is a Co-Axial Electrospinning setup along with all necessary accessories. The proposed setup is unique since it allows electrospinning from two polymers simultaneously (Co-Axial) whereas a standard version can only spin from one polymer solution at a time. The CMCVAMC is dedicated to practicing cutting-edge, clinically relevant translational research that improves the quality of life of the Veteran community. The versatility of the Co-Axial Electrospinner makes it an essential piece of shared equipment at the CMCVAMC, enabling scientists to develop quality regenerative medicine products more efficiently. Its utility spans a wide variety of applications, and its use by multiple investigators will revolutionize the translational therapies that are being developed through multi-million-dollar VA-funded projects. The Electrospinner will be used for the following applications: Fabrication of aligned nanofiber sheets, culture of neuronal/glial populations on the sheets and subsequent rolling of the cell laden sheets to form micron sized tubular constructs (PI: D. Kacy Cullen) Fabrication of nanofiber/nanosphere hybrid scaffolds through co-axial electrospinning where the nanofiber would provide structural integrity and the nanosphere can act as a vehicle for construct ensheathment as well as localized delivery of biomolecules/drug. Appropriate collectors would be used to form thin sheets of such hybrid scaffolds that can be rolled into microtubes suitable for implantation. (PI: D. Kacy Cullen) Fabrication of aligned nanofiber sheets of one or more polymers for culture of motor neurons and myocytes to develop innervated tissue engineered muscles for volumetric muscle loss repair. (PI: D. Kacy Cullen) Develop core-shell nanofibers and hybrid scaffolds that can be used for drug delivery as well as meniscal implant applications. (PI: Robert. L. Mauck) The proposed equipment specializes in Hyaluronic Acid based nanofibrous scaffolds which will greatly facilitate the development of photo-cross-linkable nanocomposites for cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissue engineering applications. (PI: Robert. L. Mauck) Develop custom designed nanofibrous sheets/thin films which recapitulate native brain ECM thereby providing a biomimetic scaffold for studying neuronal interactions. (PI: H. Isaac Chen) Enable the development of novel nanostructured bioelectronics devices integrating electro spun nanofibers from either biological or synthetic materials for neuroengineering and rehabilitation research. (PI: Flavia Vitale) The proposed electrospinning machine will be used in nanofiber production and the preparation of nanofiber layers from solutions of biopolymers and synthetic polymers. As such, some of the required unique features include: A setup with a range of emitters and collectors allowing fabrication of a variety of scaffolds like hollow tubes, aligned nanofibrous sheet, thin films etc. A coaxial setup that can generate core-shell nanofibers using two different polymers as well as nanosphere/nanofiber hybrid scaffolds. A unit equipped with an Air Jet accessory that allows rapid evaporation of solvent; thereby facilitating spinning of biological polymers in aqueous solutions. The contractor will provide a Co-Axial Electrospinner with the following specifications: Item Description Utility/Justification EMITTER SINGLE JET (PEEK coated) Comes with 6 Hamilton needles of gauges 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26 The single jet is formed by a thin capillary needle, in the throat of which a small drop of spinning mixture is continuously produced. There are enormous electrostatic forces here, so this type of emitter is capable of spinning materials which are otherwise hard to spin. COMPOSITE DOUBLE JET (PEEK coated) Comes with 2 Hamilton needles of gauge17 This emitter is most commonly used in the initial development and testing of nanofiber layers composed of two different materials. Each fiber in the structure of the resulting material is composed of one or the other material dispensed. Needle technology facilitates maximum spinnability. COAXIAL SINGLE JET (PEEK coated) Comes with 2 Hamilton needles of gauges 15 (outer) and 21 (inner) This emitter facilitates the direct process of nanofiber production with a core/mantle structure (aka core-shell nanofibers). It is a double hollow jet, through the inner portion of which the core solution is dispensed, and the mantle solution follows around it. COLLECTOR STATIC CONTINUAL Sample size 23 x 23 cm2 A static continual collector comprises an electrically continual and flat electrode. An additional substrate (conductive or non-conductive) can be attached to the surface with magnets. This type of collector is very simple and delivers nanofiber layers with a random internal structure. It can be used both at the initial stages in the development of a new Nano-material where the starter mixture needs to be spun to a specified quality, and for the preparation of larger-sized samples not requiring material with a regular internal structure (filters, bandages, etc.). STATIC PATTERNED Collector base The static patterned collector is formed by thin conductive wires separated from each other by an air gap. During the process, individual fibers are deposited between or perpendicular to the conductive wires, giving them a directional orientation. The degree of alignment is determined by the geometric parameters of the collector. Using a patterned collector is the simplest way to achieve the very good internal structuring of nanofiber materials. Therefore, it is used in the development of new materials as the base collector to prepare smaller samples with an aligned structure (uniaxially strained materials, the replacement of nerve tissue, muscle, etc.). A collecting sliding tool, delivering a myriad of further benefits, can be used with this type of collector. STATIC PATTERNED Grid width 60 mm ROTATING CONTINUAL 10-5000 rpm The rotating collector is in the shape of a drum, the surface of which comprises an electrically continual surface. At slow speeds, the fibers are randomly deposited on the drum surface. This generates a larger sample of the material than the static collector. If the collector is controlled at higher speeds, fibers are deposited on the surface in the preferred direction. This enables larger-dimensioned materials to be obtained, the internal structure of which is, on average, well aligned. TUBE COLLECTOR 10 - 3000 rpm The rotating collector is in the shape of a drum, the surface of which comprises an electrically continual surface. At slow speeds, the fibers are randomly deposited on the drum surface. This generates a larger sample of the material than the C1 static collector. If the collector is controlled at higher speeds, fibers are deposited on the surface in the preferred direction. This enables larger-dimensioned materials to be obtained, the internal structure of which is, on average, well aligned. 2mm 3mm 4mm rods 10 - 3000 rpm ACCESSORIES COLLECTOR HOLDER Single collector attachment Work stand for the attachment of one collector improves handling of the produced nanomaterial. SYRINGE ADAPTER 2 CHANNELS With 4 cylindrical insertions Adapter is used for the uniform insertion of two feeder syringes (composite and core-shell spinning) of varying volumes (10,20,30 ml) in the feeder with the dispensing plunger. There are three different sized ring adapters included, which are designed for standardized syringes supplied by the manufacturer of the apparatus. AIR JET E1 Electro blowing Air jet compatible with the emitter enabling electro blowing - technique combining electrostatic nanofiber production (electrospinning) with airflow around the spinneret. The tangential forces of the flowing air acting on a drop of mixture contribute to the formation of the Taylor cone and to the creation of the fiber. In the vicinity of the emitter, optimal climatic conditions favorably influencing the spinning process are formed. EMITTER CLEANER Suitable for all emitters The adapter for cleaning emitters consists of a cylindrical metal body, one end of which is fitted with a quick-coupler for connection to compressed air, and the other part contains a Luer-Lock cap for the easy connection of individual parts or emitters or full-metal needles. As a result of the compressed air, the adapter removes residual spinning solution from the dispensing paths, which it dries thoroughly. PROTECTING FOIL PTFE 2mm Foil designed to protect the bottom part of the spinning chamber. Recommended if work with aggressive solutions. 3. Delivery Deliver and install all items listed above in the A504, Research Building, at 3900 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104. End of Document