1. Solicitation Number: NIH-NIDA-NINDS-19-005111

2. Title: Fiber photometry systems

3. Classification Code: 66 - Instruments & laboratory equipment

4. NAICS Code: 333999

5. Description: Fiber photometry systems

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. 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.

Background: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is establishing a new laboratory that will use cutting-edge physiological, imaging, and behavioral methods to investigate the relationship between human neurological disorders and brain function at the molecular, synaptic, cellular, and circuit levels. The new laboratory requires two fiber photometry systems to image calcium and/or neurotransmitter transients and that are suitable for use with freely-moving mice.

Purpose and Objectives:
The NINDS will soon establish the Laboratory of Circuits, Synapses, and Molecular Signaling (LCSMS), which will be led by the new Scientific Director. The LCSMS will study fundamental issues of synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, neuromodulation, and neural circuit activity using animal models (principally, the mouse). These issues will be related to human neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders, and will be explored in brain areas including (but not limited to) the amygdala, basal forebrain cholinergic areas, the ventral hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex.

One major line of research will employ fiber photometry to image transients (calcium, acetylcholine, dopamine) from targeted brain areas in freely-moving mice. Two systems, each capable of imaging multiple areas and/or mice simultaneously and at multiple wavelengths, are required.

1. Project requirements: Salient Characteristics
The NINDS LCSMS requires two (2) identical fiber photometry systems. Both systems should have these characteristics.

• Three excitation wavelengths:
o ~415 nm (the isosbestic wavelength of GCamp)
o ~470 nm (the calcium-dependent wavelength of GCamp)
o ~560 nm (the wavelength of red-shifted indicators, such as RCamp).

• Two emission wavelengths:
o 500-540 nm (GCamp)
o 600-680 nm (RCamp).

• Must accommodate fibers of diameters 200-400 µm.

• Frame rate of 5+ fps.

• Each system must be capable of simultaneously imaging at least two brain areas or two mice simultaneously.

• Imaging resolution of 1920 x 1200 or better, with pixel size <6 μm.

• Quantum efficiency ≥80%

• Dark noise <7e-.

• Complete software package for acquiring and analyzing fiber photometry data, including motion control. The software should be compatible with the Windows 10 (64-bit) operating system and allow users to save data to disk, convert GCamp signals into motion-corrected calcium signals, and integrate with behavioral tracking equipment (such as a webcam).

Anticipated period of performance: The contractor shall deliver and install the equipment within 90 days after receipt of order.

Other important considerations: Quantity is two (2). Contractor shall warrant that the Equipment will be free from defects for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of installation, inspection by the Government and acceptance.

Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specified in this notice including providing information regarding being an authorized provider of the services.

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

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.

The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

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

The response must be submitted to Alicia Maldonado Torres, at e-mail address [email protected] .

The response must be received on or before April 8, 2019, 11:00 am, 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 Federal Business Opportunities. 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)."