Notice of Intent to Sole Source.

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. 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 Unique Entity ID (UEI) , 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. 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. 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. All responses must be received by 10/27/2023 at 1PM EST and must reference synopsis number NHLBI-TS-24-000395 . Responses shall be submitted electronically to tskeens@nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Supporting Information STATEMENT OF WORK The NHLBI Murine Phenotyping Core requires an annual service agreement for the maintenance, repair, and software upgrades on a Columbus Instruments custom designed Comprehensive Laboratory Animal Metabolic System and the associated temperature controlled cabinet (CLAMS) and software, a metabolic treadmill, two Eco 6 lane treadmills with shockers, a 4 chamber Oxymax, a Rotamex 4 lane rota rod, and a grip strength meter, all purchased by the Murine Phenotyping Core 7-10 years ago from Columbus Instruments and used in multiple acute and long term studies for investigators NIH wide. Background Information and Sole Source Justification The NHLBI Murine Phenotyping Core requires an annual service agreement with Columbus Instruments for the maintenance, calibration, software updates, and repair of a specific list of scientific equipment designed and manufactured by Columbus Instruments and used by the Murine Phenotyping Core to phenotype mice for investigators NIH wide over the last 7 -10 years. The equipment, purchased from Columbus Instruments between 7- 10 years ago and used extensively in both acute and longitudinal studies, includes a Comprehensive Laboratory Animal Metabolic System and Cabinet (CLAMS), a 1 lane metabolic treadmill, two Eco 6 lane treadmills with shockers, and a Rotamex 4 lane rota rod, all with operating and analysis software. All of the equipment was designed by Columbus Instruments and the software used to operate it and analyze data is proprietary. The NHLBI financial and labor investment in purchase of this complex equipment and the extensive training of the Phenotyping Core staff to develop expertise in its operation and use is significant, and this is equipment will continue to be used in long term studies. No other vendor can repair, replace, or calibrate this Columbus Instruments equipment without voiding the warranty. Improper repairs or calibration could potentially damage this complex and expensive equipment and may introduce unacceptable variables into long range research conducted using this equipment. In addition, live research animals live inside of the CLAMS and are tested using the treadmills and rota rod and this equipment must be carefully calibrated by experienced and skilled technicians familiar with the design and operation, in order to assure that no harm comes to the animals, per regulatory requirements (NIH Guide, Animal Welfare Act, Office of Animal Care & Use), PHS Policy on Humane Care, etc.). No other vendor can repair or replace this equipment that was designed and manufactured by Columbus Instruments. The complete equipment list includes: CLAMS System 090501 CLAMS System 070447 4 Chamber Oxymax with Running Wheels Modular Treadmill Calibration (2) Exer 3/6 Treadmill Calibration (3) Rotamex-5 Grip Strength Meter Validation Purpose and Objectives for the Procurement We require annual service with Columbus Instruments for this equipment including technical support, labor, calibration, replacement, repair, or exchange of major components, sensors, scales, wiring, tubes, pumps, cage components, filters, motors, belts, shocker apparatus, and software updates to maintain the CLAMS, ECO 6 treadmills, and the rota rod in good working order. Based on 7 years previous experience with the wear rate and lifespan of certain components, we anticipate that we will need 1 annual on-site service visit with 2 days labor, plus repair or exchange of components that will cost approximately $17,605. for a one year period beginning December 1, 2023 and ending November 30, 2024. Contractor Requirements We require the vendor to be able to repair or exchange Columbus Instruments equipment including a CLAMS with specific components such as a paramagnetic 02 sensor, a CO2 sensor, system sample pumps, scales, motors, pumps, belts, and to provide technical support and software updates, as needed to maintain the CLAMS, the temperature controlled cabinet, ECO 6 treadmiils and the Rota mex rota rod in good repair and calibration for use in acute and long term research studies on live mice. Government Responsibilities The Murine Phenotyping Core personnel have the following equipment in use and follow recommended practices for daily operation and use, reporting problems to vendor technical representatives, and packing for repair or exchange as needed. CLAMS System 090501 CLAMS System 070447 4 Chamber Oxymax with Running Wheels Modular Treadmill Calibration (2) Exer 3/6 Treadmill Calibration (3) Rotamex-5 Grip Strength Meter Validation Reporting Requirements and Deliverables The Phenotyping Core staff will contact the vendor when equipment malfunctions or needs exchange or repair, request estimated costs, and once approved by the purchasing agent, will ship the necessary parts to the vendor, or request a service visit and labor, not to exceed the estimated total of the purchase order. The equipment is heavily used, but repairs are not always necessary on a quarterly basis, rather are scheduled when there is a break in the experimental schedule, or as necessary in the event of emergency repairs.

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