66--Maze PI Tamara Richards FY19 BLRD Portland VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Portland, WA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Maze Engineers to provide a radial arm maze (NAICS 541511), in accordance with FAAR 6.302-5(b)(6) and VAAR 819.70. This radial arm maze will allow VA researchers investigating the impact of binge-level methamphetamine (MA) use on neural and behavioral traits, in an automated manner and with a range of motivators (food via food dispensers, MA solution using sipper tubes, sweet solutions using sipper tubes, etc.). Besides being completely automated, this maze must be able to be converted into other types of mazes (for example, a T or Y maze), which can be used to test multiple types of learning and memory characteristics. This equipment will allow researchers to obtain detailed data across a long time-course to better understand the link between MA intake and MA s effects on learning and memory. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 4:00 PM EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Elaine DiBucci at [email protected]. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.