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Primary Contract Specialist
Secondary Contracting Officer
The essential characteristics of the ultra-dense electrode array that limit the availability to a sole source are 1) IMEC is the only commercial entity that can supply electrodes that meet all the specifications and 2) that have been tested in non-human primates. Only the suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because they are the technological leader in this specialized market, with offerings not matched by other vendors.
The Laboratory of Neuropsychology investigates how the brain does information coding and computation for learning and decision making. These studies require electrodes to explore deep structures in the nonhuman primate brain to evaluate the relationship between these structures and primate behavior.
The exploration of brain regions known to contribute to cognitive behaviors requires electrodes designed to explore the exact regions under study. Understanding the contributions of multiple brain regions requires the ability to recording the electrical activity of many neurons simultaneously. Simultaneous recording is especially important for applying computational models to guide the research. The specified purchase is for a new class of electrodes able to reach deep structures in nonhuman primate. This new generation of electrodes can record from hundreds of neurons simultaneously. The specified electrodes are required for both ongoing experiments and upcoming ones. Understanding the circuitry behind reward-related behavior is an essential component of the NIMH mission to understand and develop treatments for behavioral disorders.
The Laboratory of Neuropsychology investigates higher brain functions such as learning, memory and reward related decision making. Electodes are used to interrogate the brain activity associated with motivated behaviors and study the circuitry involved in decision making. This purchase is for very specific electrodes (Neuropixels), ones especially suited to study deep areas of the nonhuman primate brain and sample activity across a very large number (e.g., hundreds to thousands) of single neurons on a daily basis. These recordings will lead to a better understaning of how different brain regions contribute to making both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. Understanding these fundamental processes is an important part of the mission of the NIMH.
The specified electrodes have been tested and validated in nonhuman primate brain recording. This order is not a continuation or renewal of a previous purchase order. It is to purchase electrodes that are essential for ongoing and planned studies.
Purchase Description: Neuropixels (NP1032), Head stage for recording (HS_1000), Cable for recording (CBL_1000), PXIe acquisition system with test dongle (PXI3_1000+HST_1000), Probe holder (HOLDER_1000C), Shipping.
- Salient characteristics
- Active electrodes for deep (45 mm) recordings in nonhuman primates
- 2000 to 4000 contacts for recording
- Over 380 channels recorded at a time
- Sufficiently robust to tolerate multiple penetrations into the brain
- Validated in nonhuman primates
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.