22-006065

Submitted by fratecm on
Post Date/ Solicitation Issue Date
Closing Response Date
Proposed Award Date
Project Title
Upgrades for Lafayette rat operant conditioning chambers with microcomputer controllers and control software
Contracting Office
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Contact Points

Primary Contract Specialist

Cheryl
Leone
cleone@mail.nih.gov

Secondary Contracting Officer

Dionne
Draper
dionne.draper@nih.gov
NAICS Code Number
513210
Operating systems software, computer, packaged
FPDS Classification Code
7A20
Delivery of Goods
3 months after award
Competition Status
Brand Name Only
Vendor Name
Lafayette Instrument
Address
3700 Sagamore Parkway North
Lafayette IN 47904
Single-Sole Source Determination
The acquisition is for upgrades to existing Lafayette rat operant conditioning touchscreens with microcomputer controllers and control software. It is designed by the US based company Lafayette Instruments, and they are the sole supplier of this equipment. Lafayette Instruments is a SAM registered Company with DUNS 005080650 and is a small business women owned with SBA identifier PO279808. The touchscreens and control systems are upgrades of previous models controlled by the Whisker© operating system to the ABET Cognition software with accompanying ABET Core Intelli-Interface I/O hardware. Crucially, this combination of hardware and software is compatible with both existing operant conditioning chamber hardware and software. Over the years, Lafayette and SBN staff have written custom programs and has created a suite of programs used regularly in the SBN that could previously be used only with the Whisker software but that are also, uniquely, compatible with the upgraded and updated I/O system needed to ensure continued, reliable operations of these devices. Consequently, Lafayette Instruments is the distributor of these programs, and the licensed manufacturers, sellers and distributors of the whole product. This acquisition, with its dedicated software and hardware compatible with current systems and programs cannot be purchased anywhere else in North America. This equipment will be used to expand and be used with previous award HHSN271201400087C and HHSN271201600803P for Dr. Yogita Chudasama in the SBN. These previous award consisted of Instrumentation from Lafayette Instruments that was a sole source award. The requested acquisition must be compatible with preexisting instrumentation, software and operating systems already in place for the insurance of the continuity of scientific research and the seamless comparison of data and results. The consistent use of the touchscreen programs cross-compatible with Whisker and ABET Cognition across these behavioral test systems is essential to the NIMH mission. It will allow for users of the SBN to be trained on only one operating system that has the unique flexibility to be programmable for future changes in behavioral testing. This will reduce training time and enhance the productivity of the researchers using the SBN to meet research goals.


1. Touchscreens must be able to be controlled via ABET II software to match existing equipment and existing control programs in the RBC. They must connect to other components via USB and HDMI connections.
2. Touchscreens must be compatible with chambers acquired with awards HHSN271201400087C and HHSN271201600803P. They must also be of the physical dimensions to properly fit within said chambers.
3. To ensure data fidelity, each touchscreen chamber should be controlled locally and save data locally to a separate on-board microcomputer. That microcomputer must connect via ethernet network connections such that many (>12) microcomputers can connect to a single PC via a network switch.
4. Must be compatable with computers from award HHSN316201500031W.
5. Must be compatable with existing SBN rodent chambers as supplied by Lafayette and currently in use within the SBN
Background/Description of Requirement
    1. Purchase Description: 1. Upgrades for existing Rat Testing Chambers of the SBN. 2. Rat Modular Touch Screen Chamber and Accessories. 3. Lafayette Neuroscience Instruments
    2.  
  2. ABET Core Intelli-Interface, Model 81430-00-00, quantity 6
  3. POWER SUPPLY AND CABLE, Model 81430-01-00, quantity 6
  4. MOUSE 12" TOUCHSCREEN WITH USB/HDMI, Model 80614A-01-01, quantity 6
  5. ABET COGNITION SINGLE STATION LICENSE, Model 89515-1, quantity 6
  6. Shipping

 

              Salient characteristics:

  1. Touchscreens must be able to be controlled via ABET II software to match existing equipment and existing control programs in the RBC.  They must connect to other components via USB and HDMI connections.
  2. Touchscreens must be compatible with chambers acquired with awards HHSN271201400087C and HHSN271201600803P.  They must also be of the physical dimensions to properly fit within said preexisting chambers.
  3. To ensure data fidelity, each touchscreen chamber should be controlled locally and save data locally to a separate on-board microcomputer.  That microcomputer must connect via ethernet network connections such that many (>12) microcomputers can connect to a single PC via a network switch.
  4. Must be compatible with computers from award HHSN316201500031W.
  5. Must be compatible with existing RBC rodent chambers as supplied by Lafayette and currently in use within the RBC

Interested parties may identify in writing their interest and capability in response to this requirement. 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 Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), 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.

All responses must be received by closing date and must reference the announcement. Responses may be submitted electronically to the attention of the contract specialist. Fax responses will not be accepted.

All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.