Upgrade to Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope

DESCRIPTION: THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE/PROPOSALS. On behalf of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the Office of Acquisitions Contracts Management Branch Red, NINDS Section of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Reproductive Biology and Genetics Core (RBGC) intends to solicit on a sole-source basis to INSCOPIX, INC. to purchase an upgrade to the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope (nVue system), on or around February 28, 2022, with an award issued on or around March 15, 2022. RBGC currently owns and operates an Inscopix miniature endomicroscopy system. The upgrade to the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope with its unique automation capabilities and design, will be incorporated into the current in-cage operant chamber system to permit researchers to record from specific subsets of neurons at the same time as the animal is completing a behavioral task. Scientists will also utilize the system in the Middle Temporal (MT) visual cortical area with their head posted animals that will undertake visual behavioral tasks, including motion detection and activity within the blind spot (scotoma) of V1 lesioned animals. The nVue system has the greatest capacity to record from multiple cells and cell types in a single cortical area and marmosets of various ages. This equipment will be incorporated into multiple projects for core users. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 333310 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses, but rather is a sole-source acquisition to INSCOPIX, INC. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF REQUIREMENT The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS) supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke. This request originates from the Reproductive Biology and Genetics Core. The Reproductive Biology and Genetics Core currently owns and operates an Inscopix miniature endomicroscopy system and requires an upgrade to the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope. The Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope with its unique automation capabilities and design, the researches will incorporate the Inscopix camera technology with their current in-cage operant chamber system to be able to record from specific subsets of neurones at the same time as the animal is completing a behavioural task. They will also utilize the system in the Middle Temporal (MT) visual cortical area with their head posted animals that will undertake visual behavioural tasks, including motion detection and activity within the blindspot (scotoma) of V1 lesioned animals. The nVue system has the greatest capacity to record from multiple cells and cell types in a single cortical area and from marmosets of various ages. The latest generation of the dual miniscope is capable of imaging two distinct cellular populations simultaneously with single cell resolution. This innovation is crucial to the mission of the Reproductive Biology and Genetics Core. CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION INSCOPIX, INC. provides unique system that allows researchers to record neural activity from the visual cortex and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the marmoset monkey at various developmental stages to determine the role of the medial and inferior pulvinar and its direct connection with these cortical areas in establishing normal behaviors and implications for neurological and psychiatric diseases and disorders. The laboratory has previously used the Inscopix miniature endomicroscopy system however, the current system, which is the previous generation of the miniscope system from Inscopix, will be oboseleted and unsupported. Only Inscopix can provide the dual color miniscope upgrade to the current one without interrupting service and modifying experiments. In order to continue their vital research in evaluating calcium imaging and neuronal activity in non-human primates, it is imperative to procure the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope. INSCOPIX, INC. is the only vendor that can meet this need. The intended source is: INSCOPIX, INC. 2462 Embarcadero Way Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA Tel: +1 (555) 000-0000 Salient characteristics: This is a purchase for a service and training requirement for the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to provide installation and services, for the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope. The Contractor shall provide, install, provide services and train staff on the Inscopix nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging Miniature Microscope. The Contractor shall conduct essential operations required to keep the equipment fully operational. The Contractor shall supply all replacement parts to maintain the equipment at OEM specifications. The Contractor shall provide technical support. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide all necessary documentation, on installation, repair parts, spare parts, accessories, maintenance supplies, all special tools, test and support equipment, any travel and transportation, personnel skill requirements, and other related services required in the performance of maintenance tasks to keep the equipment in good operating condition. Inscopix, Inc. is the original and only provider of a fully integrated miniature microscope technology that enables neuroscientists to image large-scale cellular brain activity in two channels in freely behaving rodents. nVue microscopes are small and lightweight and provide scientists a scalable opportunity to perform multiple animal studies at the same time, along with user-friendly data analysis software solutions for integration and analysis of dual color calcium imaging videos collected with nVue. 1 x nVue System for Dual Color In Vivo Imaging An early access dual color imaging platform for visualization of large-scale neural circuit dynamics in freely behaving rodents. Includes miniature microscope, data acquisition box, and Inscopix Data Acquisition software. 1 x Standard Warranty and One (1) year standard manufacturing warranty. 5 baseplate covers and 1 dummy scope. On-site multiple day training with follow-on availability for consultation by Inscopix Field Scientific Consultant. Warranty inclusive of repairs and/or replacements for ANY hardware damage, whether caused by user, animal, or unknown, including overnight shipping to and from Inscopix. Estimated Delivery Date: nVue system shall ship after return of trade-in of existing miniature endomicroscopy system to Inscopix Bethesda Main Campus Bldg 49 3A23 49 CONVENT DR BETHESDA MD 20892 Contract Type: A firm-fixed price type contract is planned for this acquisition, consistent with commercial practices. CLOSING STATEMENT THIS NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE-SOURCE BASIS 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 Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), 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 provide evidence that they can provide equipment that meets all of the requirements in this announcement. All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIH-NINDS-NOI-75N95022Q00112. Responses must be submitted electronically to Shayna Simpson, Contract Specialist, Contracts Management Branch - Red, NINDS Section, NIDA, at contact@example.gov. U.S. Mail and Fax responses will not be accepted.