Electrode Arrays for Nonhuman Primates

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 Black Rock Microsystems, LLC., for Electrode arrays for nonhuman primates. 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. 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) Number 2022-06, dated May 01, 2022. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT Purpose and Objective: The Laboratory of Neuropsychology (LN) in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) investigates higher brain functions such as explicit and implicit face processing, memory and reward. Until very recently, it was only possible to study circuitry at the cellular level in identified neurons in rodents, fish and a few other species. The present project leverages a new methods and task designs to study selective activation of brain circuitry in nonhuman primates. The new approach will be used to understand the neural circuitry that primates use to interpret their visual world. Humans, like other primates, rely heavily on visual processing for appropriate social behavior. Such understanding is part of the mission of the NIMH. This work requires specific high density electrode arrays to simultaneously record from large numbers of neurons in the brain. This is a follow-up acquisition of previous work in this section of the laboratory. The principal investigator has acquired these high-density recording electrodes multiple times before. Without the high-density arrays, the Laboratory of Neuropsychology would be unable to complete this advanced research initiative to investigate interactions among brain areas during decision making. Product Description: Blackrock Microsystems (Utah) Arrays: Product# 7619: 64 electrode array (8x8), electrode length 1.0 mm, IrOx tips, 400 um pitch, 2x32 Omnetics 36-pin 0.025" pitch connector. Wire bundle length: 8 cm. Wire bundle type: standard (Qty: 02) Product# 7620: 64 electrode array (8x8), electrode length 1.5 mm, IrOx tips, 400 um pitch, 2x32 Omnetics 36-pin 0.025" pitch connector. Wire bundle length: 8 cm. Wire bundle type: standard (Qty: 03) Salient characteristics include: Chronically implantable electrode array for cortex (1.0mm and 1.5 mm depth) validated in nonhuman primates 8 cm wire-bundle lengths Proven to isolate single units with high signal/noise ratio Impedance ~50 Kohm @ 1 kHz SIROF metallization of electrode surface 400 - m pitch square configuration, silicon etched Gas sterilizable 36-pin, 0.025 pitch Omnetics connectors Arrays shall have a shelf life of at least 1 year Delivery Date: 90 days after receipt of award (ARO) 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, LLC., is the only vendor in the marketplace that can provide the services required by the Laboratory of Neuropsychology (LN). The intended source is: BlackRock Microsystems, LLC. 630 Komas Drive Suite 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 Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, 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 on before Friday, September 09, 2022, at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time and must and must reference the solicitation number, 75N95022Q00543. Responses must be submitted electronically to Diedra S. Prophet, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov, and Robin Knightly, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov. U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.