Notice of Intent Soft Robotic Gripper

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The United Stated Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, IAW FAR 13.5, with Automation Distribution Inc. (ADI), 2398 North Penn Road, Hatfield, PA 19440. Soft Robotics is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the Soft Robotic two finger gripper and robotic end-effector grippers. ADI is the authorized distributor/reseller for Soft Robotics due to regional proximity, is the only responsible source that can provide the Soft Robotic two finger gripper and robotic end-effector grippers that can meet the - Virtual Hospital research efforts for the U.S. Army Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC). This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items, in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation and award prescribed in FAR Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05 are incorporated. The U.S. Army Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) intends to procure a firm-fixed-price contract. The request is to purchase two (2) each Soft Robotic two finger gripper and robotic end-effector grippers in support of TATRC's Medical Robotics and Autonomous Systems lab to establish a mobile robotic platform testbed capability to support Virtual Hospital future research efforts. This equipment will support TATRC's ongoing efforts to design, develop and test new technologies to facilitate a virtual hospital environment necessary in forward operations abroad and emergency situations domestically. The purpose of the "Virtual Hospital" effort is to add increased hospital-like capabilities at the point of need to National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network (NETCCN) platform(s) to increase capability and capacity. Priority - Virtual Hospital capabilities include interoperability and closed-loop control of medical devices, remote control/automating tasks (monitoring, IV fluids/medication, mechanical ventilation), and resource monitoring. Soft Robotics two finger gripper and robotic end-effector grippers is the only product that can meet the Government's MEC's that fits with the research needs of TATRC with specialized - soft robotics style of grippers. They are comprised of rubber air-activated gripping actuators, compatible with the Universal Robotics line of robotic arms, specifically the UR5, currently being utilized in the lab, rubber, pneumatic controlled, robotic end-effectors that are compatible with research focused robotic platforms such as the Universal Robotics (UR) line of robotic manipulators. The entirety of the design aligns with the specifications deemed essential for the research aims of Virtual Hospital technology development. An essential requirement of TATRC's research is the customizability and configurability to adapt to project needs. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 334419 with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 employees. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document will be posted for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Submit email capabilities statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) to Kimberly Hannan at kimberly.s.hannan.civ@mail.mil. Statements are due no later than 11:00 A.M. EST on 23 August 2021. Late responses will not be reviewed.