6640--Acute Electrophysiology System

Notice of Intent to Issue Sole Source Award The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 6 (NCO 6), intends to negotiate with Cambridge Neuro Tech on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, to procure parts for the Acute Electrophysiology System for the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA medical center. This system will permit researchers at the lab in the McGuire VAMC to record brain activity from rats under head restrained conditions. This equipment is Brand Name Only for standardization at the Richmond VAMC. The required items are listed below: ASSY-77 F (1) ASSY-77 F Acute 64 channel F probe, 6shanks @ 200um, 6mm length 7 EA (2) Probe Fiber Attach User-defined optrode alignment with 64 channel probe 7 EA ASSY-37 F (3) ASSY-37 F Acute 32 channel F probes, 3 shanks @200um, 6mm length 7 EA (4) Probe Fiber Attach User-defined optrode alignment with 32 channel probe 7 EA ADPT A32-OM322 (5) ADPT A32-Om32 Acute probe adaptor; 32 channels Samtec to Omnetics 2 EA ADPT A64-OM322X2 (6) ADPT A64-Om32x2 Acute probe adaptor; 64 channels, Samtec to Omnetics 2 EA ACUTE PROBE TOOL (7) Acute probe tool Acute probe stereotaxic adaptor 2 EA ASSY-77 F 8 ASSY-77 F Acute 64 channel F probe, 6shanks @ 200um, 6 mm length - DUMMY PROBE 5 EA This requirement may be subject to the non-manufacturer rule TO BE DEEMED AS A NONMANUFACTURER (please respond to each of the following statements): does not exceed 500 employees. ____________ is primary engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied. ___________ takes ownership or possession of the item with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice. _____________ will supply the end item of a small manufacturer, processor or producer made in the US, or obtains a waiver of such requirement. ________________ The NAICS code is 541715 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO 6 anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price purchase order to Cambridge Neuro Tech for this requirement. Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for the Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO 6 may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to contact@example.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to contact@example.gov no later than 19 Aug 2021 at 1:00 PM EST. Statement of Work for Acute Electrophysiology System Funded through VA Research 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to obtain an Acute Electrophysiology System manufactured by Cambridge Neuro Tech for Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center. These systems will permit researchers in Dr. Mark Baron s lab in McGuire VAMC to record brain activity from rats under head restrained conditions. Our current system does not allow us to record multiple neurons at a time, which limits our capability to characterize population behavior. This system will provide multiple options to record electrical activity from many brain cells (neurons) from different brain regions. This information will tremendously help us understand the basic mechanism of brain disorders like dystonia and Parkinson s disease. 1.2 Background Dystonia is a devastating condition characterized by ineffective, twisting movements and contorted postures. Primary (genetic or idiopathic) generalized dystonia manifests typically by adolescence, and thus, regularly precludes a military career. On the other hand, military service imparts increased risks for developing secondary dystonia. The prevalence of secondary dystonia due to such causes as Parkinson s disease (PD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and strokes is estimated at 10.7 per 1000 people aged 50 89 years. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Agent Orange exposure as a risk for developing PD. While surgical treatments are effective for those with primary dystonia, for secondary forms due to trauma, strokes and cerebral palsy are poorly responsive to current medical and surgical therapies. Because of the high incidence of dystonia from head trauma, our soldiers are particularly susceptible to developing secondary dystonia. In distinction from primary dystonia, popularized therapies, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, are ineffective for most secondary dystonias. Despite its impact on human health, the underlying abnormalities in the brain had not been well investigated in animal models. Our investigations in rodent models of dystonia are revealing remarkable insight into how abnormal signals originating in the basal ganglia, located in a deep region of the brain, are causing another deep brain region, the thalamus, to send abnormal signals to the motor cortex at the surface of the brain. In the new studies, we will utilize optogenetics and pharmacological manipulations to further understand the abnormal signaling in this system. Our comprehensive approach is anticipated to lead to refinement of our novel evolving normal and pathological basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuitry model. Ultimately, the hope is that the findings here will translate to new treatments for a condition that is often refractory to current therapies. 1.3 Scope of Work The laboratory will be focused on high-density electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic manipulations from multiple brain regions in order to investigate brain network dysfunction under dystonia. The primary model for this will be the living rodent brain. A critical aim of this grant is to be able to characterize the baseline activities of the neurons responsible for the symptoms observed under dystonia. The requested system will allow us to record many neurons simultaneously from the connected regions. Our current electrophysiology system is limited in design as well as other technical capabilities. The Cambridge neurotech electrodes and recording assembly provide high quality data with many neurons recorded simultaneously. Their range of silicon neural probes are optimized for large-scale single unit recording combined with optogenetics in head-fixed and anesthetized animals. 1.5 Risk to the Government The equipment has no hazardous risk. There is minimal risk to the government. Utilization of this system for research purposes presents no more than minimal risk to study animals and research staff will be properly trained on the administration of assessments and equipment use. 1.6 Reporting Requirements All reports will be on-going between Dr. Mark Baron s lab and the research office. Any problems with the system will be addressed by this office. 1.7 Recommended Source List Vendor name: Cambridge Neuro Tech Address: 64 High Street, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge Phone Number: FAX #: Email Address for Order Placement: contact@example.gov Email Address for Order Inquiry: contact@example.gov