The Firm Fixed PO will include the following:

EchoMRITM-100V Whole Body Composition Analyzer with Mice Antenna
- for the determination of Fat-Mass, Lean-Mass, Free-Water, and Total-Body-Water in Mice with total masses up to 100g

Also includes:
- Calibration/Daily-Test samples
- System installation and training, internet connection required
- 1-Year Remote System Application Support and Performance Monitoring
- 1-Year Comprehensive System Warranty; including parts, labor, shipping and travel
- Standard Specimen Holder Offering:
▪ Qty 1-Mice holder glass
▪ Qty 2-Mice holder red plastic
▪ Qty 1-Mice delimiter

USDA ARS, WHNRC, Obesity & Metabolism Unit (OMU) has specific needs for their ongoing research for Systems Genetic Approaches to Obesity & Metabolism. OMU research has specific requirement: 1) to measure body composition in model organisms (mainly mice); 2) to conduct their analysis in a short period of time with minimal restraint to the test animals used for the studies; 3) to use no anesthesia or sedation of the test animals; and 4) to ensure the lab staff are not exposed to radiation (x-rays).

The EchoMRI^TM Analyzers deliver precise body composition measurements of fat, lean, free water, and total water masses in live animals weighing up to 100 or 130 grams respectively. Scanning takes 0.5 - 3.2 minutes, depending on the precision options. If additional hardware insert is purchased, composition of smaller samples of animal organs or tissues weighing up to 7g can be measured with enhanced precision. Most importantly, the live animals need no anesthesia and no special preparation before measurement.

Furthermore, due to the low effect size of dietary perturbations. OMU need an instrument with a high level of precision and accuracy, and the EchoMRI^TM is the leader for these type of analysis due to their technology implemented in their instruments. EchoMRI^TM technology utilizes the safety of QMR techniques to make direct tissue measurements, as opposed to trying to calculate tissue densities from X-ray (radiation) images in order to produce the necessary tissue characterizations. EchoMRI^TM is also capable of automatically distinguishing between free water and total body water, which is a measurement technique that is unique to EchoMRI^TM method. Reporting total body water measurements, as a separate, stand-alone parameter is proprietary to EchoMRI^TM, and not available using any other device on the market.

Again, one of the primary advantages of EchoMRI^TM technology is that it does not use radiation which reduces risk to lab staff utilizing the instrument. Due to the minimal stress, lack of anesthesia and quick analysis time, it is therefore possible to monitor fat changes over time with repeated measurements taken regularly due which is critical to OMU studies of obesity.

EchoMRI^TM products manufactured and serviced by EchoMRI Corporation Pte Ltd. These products are protected by the following United States Patents:
- 7,366,560, "Nuclear magnetic resonance method for body composition analysis"
- 7,366,559, "Nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus and method for assessing whole body composition"
- 7,343,192, "Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus for body composition analysis"

EchoMRI^TM products are also protected by the United States Trademark: Registration Number 4,174,950

Pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

The award date will be on or about August 17, 2017; and this Notice of Intent is not considered as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination, by the Government, to compete this proposed PO based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 10:30AM PST, August 17, 2017. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the Primary Point of Contact: [email protected].