6640--Chronic 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 Chronic 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-116FB (1) ASSY-116 Fb Chronic 32 channel Fb probe with Omnetics connector, 3 shanks @200um, 6 mm length 6 EA ASSY-236F (2) ASSY-236 F Chronic 64 channel F probe with Molex connectors, 6 shanks @250um, 6 mm length 4 EA MINI-AMP-64 (3) Mini-amp-64 Ultra-small-footprint 64 Channel Amplifier Board; twin Molex connectors 2 EA (4) Mini-amp-64 bulk discount Price break for 2 units 2 EA (5) Dura-Gel 16 ml kit silicone artificial dura repair compound 10 EA C3324 (6) RHD2132 amplifier/accelerometer board with 32 unipolar inputs with 3-axis accelerometer 1 EA C3325 (7) RHD 64-channel head stage with accelerometer 1 EA C3313 (8) RHD2216 amplifier board with 16 bipolar inputs 1 EA C3216 (9) RHD2000 6-ft (1.8 m) Ultra Thin SPI interface cable 2 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 3:00 PM EST. Statement of Work for a Chronic Electrophysiology System Funded through VA Research 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to obtain a Chronic Electrophysiology System for freely moving animals 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 in freely moving environment. Our current system limits us to record from a head restrained animals with very few neurons recorded simultaneously. This 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 while the animal is freely moving in their home cage or an open field. Since, the basic goal of our lab is to understand movement disorder, this assembly is necessary to characterize the behavior of the responsible neurons when the animal is experiencing the symptoms of the disorder (dystonia). Cambridge Neuro Tech s implantable and reusable miniature digital headstage allows high channel-count, low-stress connection to your freely behaving animals, by removing the 'industry standard' Omnetics connectors from your implants. These connectors are bulky and stiff to connect / disconnect, thereby imparting significant mechanical stress to your implants and consequently reducing single unit yields. Paired with our silicon neural probes, at only 0.49 grams with a tiny footprint (3x7 mm), our mini-amp-64 enables 64 - 256 channel electrophysiology in behaving mice, upwards. 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 activities of the neurons responsible for the symptoms observed during dystonic episodes. This is possible when the rat is allowed to freely move in its environment. The requested system will allow us to record many neurons simultaneously from the connected regions under freely moving condition. 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 freely moving 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