Purchase of a Model 1200A 1.0N in vitro Muscle Test System

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Station Support/Simplified Acquisition (SS/SA) Branch on behalf of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to procure on a non-competitive basis with Aurora Scientific Inc., 360 Industrial Pkwy, Aurora, Ontario, Canada L4G 3V7, for a model 1200A 1.0N in vitro Muscle Test System. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) and FAR 13.5 01-(a)(1) to use Simplified Acquisition Procedure for commercial items. The North American Industry Classification System Code for this acquisition is 334513 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Acquisition Objective: In human mutation of collagen type XII or collagen type VI can cause congenital muscular diseases. To understand the mechanism to these diseases and pursue potential therapeutic approaches, the NINDS scientists have generated both collagen type XII mouse model and collagen type VI mouse model. In addition to understand the disease at molecular level, the NINDS scientists also need to assess the function of muscle by measuring its contractile forces. This is also critical to evaluate the efficacy of various potential treatments for these groups of disease. Sensitive and reproducible physiological assessments of muscle function in mouse models are critical to understand the mechanism of disease and therapeutic potential of muscular dystrophy and atrophy. The NINDS scientists need a complete muscle test system to measure contractile functions of both isolated muscles and muscles in situ which has its nerve and blood supply preserved. As in for each animal, more than one muscle will be examined, it is important to finish the examination after the muscles are isolated from the animal or separated from the surrounding tissue. For that reason, it is essential that the NINDS scientists to have a second complete test system to perform the experiments simultaneously. The Aurora model 1200A 1.0N in vitro Muscle Test System consists of the following: 1.0N (100 gram) Dual-Mode System with three-year warranty; windows PC, Quad-core, 4GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, DVD, Win 7; National Instruments PCI-6221M A/D card; A/D Signal Interface - for use with 603C A/D Card; 22 Widescreen LCD Monitor; DMC/ DMA software; Constant current/ constant voltage field stimulator; In vitro test apparatus for 300C; in situ Muscle apparatus for 300C/ 305C. A 1200A 1.0N in vitro Muscle test system was previously purchased from Aurora and has been used by the scientist to collect data and prepare the experiment. To keep the consistency and continuity of the project, the NINDS seeks to purchase the same instrument from Aurora Scientific Inc. The 1200A 1.0N in vitro Muscle Test System is a proprietary product and be available only from Aurora Scientific Inc. There is no known source of supply or distributor in the United States. It is therefore determined that Aurora is the only source for the required item. Delivery shall be FOB destination, Bethesda, Maryland and is required within 60 days after receipt of order. No solicitation will be issued. This Notice of Intent is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ); however, responsible sources interested in this solicitation may submit a statement of capabilities to Liem T Nguyen, ln18x@nih.gov on or before 2:00 P.M ET February 10, 2011. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the agency to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award from the NIDA vendor must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov. In addition, vendor must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference announcement number 1957359 on all correspondence.