24-005855

Submitted by fratecm on
Post Date/ Solicitation Issue Date
Closing Response Date
Proposed Award Date
Project Title
Fiber photometry systems
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
334519
Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
Small Business Size Standard
600
FPDS Classification Code
6640
Delivery of Goods
30 days
Competition Status
Brand Name Only
Vendor Name
Tucker-Davis Technologies, Inc.
Address
11930 Research Circle
Alachua, FL 32615
USA
Brand Name
Lux Fiber Photometry Workstation
Rationale/ Salient Characteristics
Current approaches to investigations of brain circuits and systems require detailed analyses of neuronal circuit dynamics at a cellular or greater resolution across multiple brain regions. Fiber photometry is a neural imaging technique used to monitor neural activity of specifically targeted cell populations. Fiber photometry uses excitation light from implanted fiber optics to record fluorescent activity of genetically encoded calcium indicators in neuronal populations that fluoresce in the presence of calcium and or chlorine. This imagining can be uniquely used while behavioral or electrophysiology experiments are being conducted giving a better understanding of the underpinning of brain function and its role in animal behavior in free roaming animals. The system needed by the UNAM is solely obtainable via Tucker Davis Technologies.


Salient characteristics

Must be a ready to use (turnkey) system for lock-in amplifier method of fiber photometry. Must allow for high-fidelity signal detection in noisy environments with parasitic room lighting. Must allow for easy integration of stimulation, third-party behavioral box communication, and closed-loop paradigms with no delay in processing. Suitable analog inputs and outputs to control LED or LED drivers, and receive the fiber photometry feedback. Must allow for control of multiple LEDs and photosensors at once. Shall allow integration of other behavioral devices with the FP system with a high level of temporal resolution. Must allow the ability to integrate simple video recording (with integrated playback of video alongside the recorded physiological data). All data should be in a single format and time stamped with a precision of 1 mSec or less. This includes behavioral signals and video inputs. System must be built around multiple real-time digital signal processors-not analog. Processor must drive up to 6 LEDs and 4 photosensors for multi-color, multi-site recordings. The DC offsets can be automated to prevent clipping. For long, multi-hour experiments, timing cycles can be designed to turn fiber photometry recordings on and off. Must have 24 channels of programmable digital I/O. The software must provide for easy integration of external behavioral devices with the system, with a jitter of less than 20 microseconds. The software must include ability to integrate with up to two USB cameras for integrated video recording. The software must also feature concurrent, time-aligned playback of video and all other data.
Single-Sole Source Determination
The essential characteristics of the TDT Fiber Photometry Workstation from Tucker Davis Technologies that limit the availability to a sole source are this is the only commercially available system that the UNAM has gathered much of its data from. Only this suggested source can furnish the system upgrades and requirements, to the exclusion of other sources. Additionally,TDT products have been awarded based on Sole Source Justification. Due to critical need for the UNAM to upgrad, replicate and expand data already obtained from TDT systems they for the continuity of science, the need for an identical system upgrade meeting the salient characteristics listed below. These characteristics can only be matched by TDT.

TDT self Identifies as a Small business from SBA search. The laboratory has accumulated large amounts of data using existing TDT FP systems utilizing their unique software and hardware. For continuity of science the same system must be acquired. TDT systems are documented infrastructural system within the laboratory and previously procured under HHSN271201700098P and HHSN271201600436P. Additionally, published papers from the laboratories serve as evidence that TDT systems have been infrastructural systems for the labs.
Background/Description of Requirement

Purchase Description: Lux Fiber Photometry Workstation (3 LEDs, 2 subjects/2 sites): Lux Fiber Photometry System Upgrade: 3-Channel LED Driver, 2 Photosensor Inputs, Power Meter, Lux Integrated Violet LED: 415 nm, Lux Integrated Blue LED: 465 nm, Lux Integrated Lime LED: 560 nm, Lux Integrated Photosensor with Lens Fiber Cable Kit for RZ10: 3 colors, Lux 6-Port Optical Manifold with 415 Isosbestic Experiment Control Workstation, 22 Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor. (*Requires RZ5P:1182 return) – (*Trade-In credit for RZ5P should only be $1,475 based on original purchase price and year. We are offering a credit of $12,605 with the RZ10-UPG upgrade price as quoted.)

Salient characteristics 

  1. Must be a ready to use (turnkey) system for lock-in amplifier method of fiber photometry.
  2. Must allow for high-fidelity signal detection in noisy environments with parasitic room lighting.
  3. Must allow for easy integration of stimulation, third-party behavioral box communication, and closed-loop paradigms with no delay in processing.
  4. Suitable analog inputs and outputs to control LED or LED drivers, and receive the fiber photometry feedback.
  5. Must allow for control of multiple LEDs and photosensors at once.
  6. Shall allow integration of other behavioral devices with the FP system with a high level of temporal resolution. 
  7. Must allow the ability to integrate simple video recording (with integrated playback of video alongside the recorded physiological data).
  8. All data should be in a single format and time stamped with a precision of 1 mSec or less. This includes behavioral signals and video inputs. 
  9. System must be built around multiple real-time digital signal processors-not analog.
  10. Processor must drive up to 6 LEDs and 4 photosensors for multi-color, multi-site recordings.
  11. The DC offsets can be automated to prevent clipping. For long, multi-hour experiments, timing cycles can be designed to turn fiber photometry recordings on and off.
  12. Must have 24 channels of programmable digital I/O. The software must provide for easy integration of external behavioral devices with the system, with a jitter of less than 20 microseconds.
  13. The software must include ability to integrate with up to two USB cameras for integrated video recording. The software must also feature concurrent, time-aligned playback of video and all other data.

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.