Description: This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e., address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e., address Non-Manufacturer Rule).

Background: Electrodes are tiny wires inserted into the brain for recording the electrical activity of the brain. Cutting-edge studies in nonhuman primates rely on sophisticated electrode arrays that integrate 32 or 64 wires into one long, thin shaft. This allows recording a large number of individual neurons at once. Numerous critical factors determine whether or not an electrode array
is suitable for a given experiment.

The specified purchase is for electrodes that have been designed and tested for reaching deep structures in nonhuman primate, like the amygdala, but still suitable for superficial cortical recordings in nonhuman primates. The specified electrodes are required for three ongoing studies of reward-related circuitry, an essential component of the NIMH mission to understand and develop
treatments for behavioral disorders.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase 32 an 64 linear electrodes for brain activity recording.

Project requirements: Summarize the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, including its scope, focus, technical/performance requirements or specifications, and any deliverables, reports, and/or data that may be required under any resultant contract. Highlight any areas of particular importance.

Product Description:
• 64 channel electrode – QTY: 02
• 32 channel electrode – QTY: 02

Salient characteristics include:

• Passive electrodes for deep recordings in nonhuman primates
• 64 and 32 contact linear electrode arrays
• Minimum loss of signal while electrodes are being repositioned (this requires smooth movement in the brain)
• Sufficiently robust to tolerate 20 to 40 or more penetrations
• Validated for our application
• 120 mm overall length to reach deep structures
• Omnetics connectors wired to match Ripple Nano head stages
• Shipping must be included with the order.

Anticipated Date of Delivery: 90 days after receipt of award.

Other important considerations: In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25.

Capability statement /information sought.
Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included
but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Diedra Prophet, Contract Specialist, at diedra.prophet@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before May 15, 2023, by 5:00pm, Eastern Time.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”

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