NOTE: This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. There is no solicitation available at this time.
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:
Research in the Cellular Neurophysiology Section focuses on circuit and cellular properties of neurons located in the midbrain dopamine system and basal ganglia. As a major part of our research, we are interested in the physiology of dopamine neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) that undergo selective cell death in Parkinson’s patients. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how synaptic and intrinsic conductances expressed on these neurons (particularly calcium permeable conductances, ie voltage gated calcium channels and glutamate activated receptors) differ among subpopulations dopamine neurons. The hope that this information may provide insight to why SNc dopamine neurons are particularly vulnerable in Parkinson’s disease. Our goal is to identify novel physiological and genetic markers in single SNc dopamine neurons which may be useful in defining subpopulations of these neurons in a meaningful way.
In order to study the action potential firing properties and physiology of dopamine system neurons, our lab uses electrophysiological approaches. Specifically, we use patch-clamp electrophyisiological techniques that involve placing a glass microelectrode onto a cell to record its electrical activity. In order to be useful in this technique, the glass electrode has to be pulled using heat to a very small tip which is the size of less than one micrometer. Thus, the glass pipette puller is the device that allow us to make glass electrodes useful for patch-clamp electrophysiology.
Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to procure a new Zeitz Glass Electrode puller to replace the one that was destroyed in a flood last year and was being used for very specialized experiments.
Project requirements:
Model: DMZ-Universal-Electrode-Puller
Manufacturer: Zeitz
Anticipated period of performance: Delivery is expected 30 days after receipt of order (ARO).
Capability Statement / Information Sought:
Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services 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.
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.
Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID (UEI) 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.
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 such as respondents’ opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the requirement.
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 response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only.
Submission Instructions:
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 an 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 are not required.
The response is limited to ten (10) pages. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The response must include the technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.
All responses must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist, Cassandra Conley at Cassandra.conley@nih.gov by the closing date and time of this announcement. Facsimile responses will not be accepted, and all responses must reference the Notice ID.
The response must be received on or before September 4th, 2024, at 9:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
“Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not oblige 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 pre-solicitation 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).”
