NIMH Purchase of Fiber Photometry System NIMH-22-004432 INTRODUCTION This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 13--Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items. The solicitation number is NIMH-22-004432 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334519 with a size standard of 500 employees. SET-ASIDE STATUS This acquisition is restricted and set-aside for Small Business ACQUISITION AUTHORITY This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-07 dated Aug 10, 2022. The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through this date. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT Purpose The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Intramural Research Program (IRP) Unit on Synapse Development and Plasticity requires the purchase of a Tucker-Davis Lux Fiber Photometry Workstation to include peripherals and accessories which is capable of crecord GCaMP and RCaMP responses in two brain sites simultaneously for studying neural activities of specific type of neurons in freely behaving mice or equal Photometry Workstation. Salient Characteristics Fiber photometry is an imaging technique used to monitor neural activity of specifically-targeted cell populations. It uses excitation light from implanted fiber optics to record fluorescent activity of genetically-encoded calcium indicators such as GCaMP and RCaMP in neuronal populations. In order to record GCaMP, RCaMP activities and control signals from two brain areas simultaneously, a 3-colors, 2-sites fiber photometry system is needed. The specific salient characteristics for a Tucker-Davis Lux Fiber Photometry Workstation or equal Photometry Workstation required for this procurement are referenced on the attached purchase description. All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with Government specifications. At a minimum, all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. The Contractor shall guarantee that all required materials shall be delivered in immediate usable and acceptable condition. Delivery Requirements The anticipated delivery date is within eight (8) to ten (10) weeks after receipt of order (ARO). Delivery destination will be f.o.b. destination. Delivery shall be made to: Dr. Xiaoyu Ma National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 35 Center Drive, Bldg. 35, Room 2C1006 Bethesda, MD 20892 Contract Type The Government intends to issue a firm fixed price purchase order for this requirement. Invoicing shall be in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act and payment shall be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Response Format Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the salient characteristics of the product. The offeror must identify in their response where parts/equipment are manufactured. The offeror must indicate in their response as to whether the brand-name or equal product proposed can or cannot meet the salient characteristics as stated in this combined solicitation synopsis. In addition, the quote must provide their company name, Unique Entity ID (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html (End of provision) The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (Oct 2018) FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020) FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Nov 2021) FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Nov 2021) FAR 52.225-4, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate (Feb 2021). Alternate I (Jan 2021) to 52.225-4 HHSAR 352.239-73, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice (December 18, 2015) The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html (End of clause) The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018) FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items (Nov 2021). Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached. HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015)> HHSAR 352.239-74, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility (December 18, 2015) The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are attached in full text. Offerors MUST complete the provisions at 52.204-24 and 52.204-26 and submit completed copies as separate documents with their proposal. FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021) FAR 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items (Jan 2022) FAR 52.225-4, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate (Feb 2021). Alternate I (Jan 2021) to 52.225-4 NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions (Feb 2021) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; (ii) price; (iii) past performance. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. (b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Nov 2021), with its offer. If the offeror has completed FAR clause 52.212-3 at www.sam.gov, then the offeror does not need to provide a completed copy with its offer. The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Nov 2021), applies to this acquisition. Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached. The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices. There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price proposal must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount. Respondents proposing on an equal product of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order. The Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. CLOSING INFORMATION All responses must be received by 5:00 PM EST, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 and reference number NIMH-22-004432. Responses may be submitted electronically to
[email protected], and
[email protected]. Any questions must be submitted by 5:00 PM EST, on Monday, September 12, 2022. Fax responses will not be accepted. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 – Purchase Description Attachment 2 – Technical Evaluation Criteria Attachment 3 – 52.212-4 – Signed Copy to be Returned Attachment 4 – 52.212-5 Attachment 5 – 52.204-24 Attachment 6 – 52.204-26 – Signed Copy to be Returned Attachment 7 – 52.212-3 Attachment 8 – 52-225-4 – Signed Copy to be Returned Attachment 9 – Invoice Instructions