NINDS 24-010568

Submitted by patelsnv on
Post Date/ Solicitation Issue Date
Closing Response Date
Proposed Award Date
Project Title
Wireless in vivo electrophysiology equipment
Contracting Office
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Contact Points

Primary Contract Specialist

ELAINE
ESTRELLA
elaine.estrella@nih.gov

Secondary Contracting Officer

Walter
Fountain
walter.fountain@nih.gov
NAICS Code Number
334510
Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing
Small Business Size Standard
1250
FPDS Classification Code
DA10
Estimated Period of Performance
1 to 3 MONTHS
Delivery of Goods
BLDG 35 RM 1C-905
Set-Aside Status
Full Set Aside
Set-Aside Type
Small Business (SB)
Competition Status
Brand Name or Equal
Brand Name
SPIKEGADGETS
Rationale/ Salient Characteristics
Main Control Unit (MCU).
- The MCU is the central controller of the SpikeGadgets data acquisition system. Each MCU supports both tethered and untethered (wireless) neural recording modes and is capable of processing up to 1024 channels of simultaneous neural data. The MCU is simple and flexible enough for routine experiments, yet powerful enough to handle the most complex and cutting-edge applications in neuroscience.
- The MCU supports:
o low-latency data streaming via gigabit ethernet for tethered recording;
o wireless control of neural recording experiments with SpikeGadgets data-logging headstages;
o seamless integration with Spikegadgets Environmental Control Unit (ECU) to sync, control and record environmental stimuli;
o combination with SpikeGadgets Headstage Combiner Units (HCU or SHCU) for experiments requiring high channel count with multiple headstages, or sub-millisecond closed-loop electrical or optogenetic stimulation.
- Specifications:
o Max channel count: 1024
o Material: Aluminum case
o Intended experimental applications: freely moving, untethered data logging, headfixed
o Connection to computer: Ethernet or USB
o Logging options: Computer or SD card
o DIO: 8 TTL inputs plus optional ECU data
o Neural inputs: Single headstage or output of HCU
o Sampling clock rate: 20kHz and 30 kHz supported
o Closed-loop hardware-computer-hardware delay: Less than 1 ms (median)
o Dimensions: 160.33x89.9x24.4mm
o Weight: 328g or 11.5 oz.

Environmental Control Unit (ECU).
- The Environmental Control Unit (ECU) is a powerful system for controlling environmental stimuli and recording behavioral responses. With both analog and digital I/Os, it is compatible with a myriad of peripheral devices such as lights, levers, beam breaks, lasers, audio cues, and synchronization signals from third party hardware.
- Features:
o Precisely syncs environmental and behavioral data with neural data on the MCU
o 32 digital inputs and 32 digital outputs
o 8 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs
o Easily programmable with StateScript for temporally precise sequences of environmental triggers
- Specifications:
o Material: Aluminum case
o Intended experimental applications: freely moving, untethered data logging, headfixed
o Digital I/O: 32 inputs (O to 5V) and 32 outputs (0 to 3.3V)
o Analog Inputs: 8 inputs (-10 to 10V range, 13-bit digitization)
o Analog Outputs: 4 outputs (0 to 5V range, 16-bit DAC)
o Breakout connectors: 10 channels routed to front SMA connectors (1 Ain, 1Aout, 4 Din, 4 Dout)
o Connection to computer: USB
o Run modes: Standalone or stream to MCU
o Sampling clock rate: 20kHz and 30 kHz supported
o Hardware scripting: StateScript
o Dimensions: 160.33x89.9x24.4mm
o Weight: 380g or 13.4oz.

Control Unit Mounting Kit.
- This component mounts the MCU and ECU.

ECU Breakout.
- This 19-inch rackmount breakout panel is used to interface SMA cables with the ECU’s analog and digital I/O ports.
- Specifications:
o Connectors: Female SMA
o Material: Black aluminum
o Number of digital output ports: 32 (out of 64)
o Number of digital input ports: 32 (out of 64)
o Number of analog input ports: 8
o Number of analog output ports: 4

Radio Frequency Transceiver for MCU Bundle.
- The Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver is used to sync data-logging headstages in untethered mode with the Main Control Unit (MCU) and the environmental record.
- Features/Specifications:
o Range:15 feet
o Length: 8cm
o Connection: CAT5 cable (ethernet, included)
o Dimensions: 137x50x50mm

Data Logging Bundle.
- Custom designed and manufactured by SpikeGadgets to connect the battery to the headstage when using a headstage in data logging mode
- A 400mAh lLithium battery.
- A 256 GB Mmoment SD card (256GB Micro SDXC CARD, A1, U3, Class 10).

Battery Charger Bundle.
- The SpikeGadgets Battery Charger connects and charges lithium batteries for data-logging headstages. This device connects directly to the battery adaptor thereby establishing a robust connection for plugging and unplugging.
- Features:
o Simultaneously charges up to five 3.7V Lithium-ion Polymer batteries
o Battery capacity range of 20-2000mAh
o Removes strain on the delicate battery connector and wires
- Specifications:
o Charge Port Count: 5
o Batteries Supported: 3.7V LiPO
o Capacity (note: may only program to one capacity at a time for all ports): 20-2000mAh
o Dimensions: 4.4 x 3.3 x .9 inches
o Weight: 5 oz.
o Approximate time to charge 400 mAh battery: 4 hours

Cambridge Molex64 128ch Adapter.
- This custom adapter enables connection of the SpikeGadgets system with two 64-channel electrodes, to be purchased from Cambridge Neurotech. Cambrigde Neurotech is a trusted vendor and partner in our existing electrophysiology system. In consultation with individuals at SpikeGadgets and Cambridge Neurotech, an adapter was designed to link products from the two companies.
Single-Sole Source Determination
After market research was conducted via GSA eBuy - there are no other companies that meets government requirement. Due to the salient characteristics presented, it was determined that SpikeGadget is the only company that meets research needs.
Background/Description of Requirement

The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a SpikeGadgets Wireless In Vivo Electrophysiology System for use in freely behaving marmosets. This equipment will be critical for the central mission of the Integrative Neuroscience Section (INS) to study the neural basis of learning and memory processes.

We are requesting this item to expand our capacity perform in vivo electrophysiology in freely behaving marmosets. The SpikeGadgets system allows for high-fidelity, high channel count recordings from single neuronal units and local field potentials in untethered, freely behaving marmosets. This item is only available through SpikeGadgets. We require this particular system for its unique capabilities, its compatibility with custom electrodes provided through a different company (Cambridge Neurotech), from which we have a longstanding working relationship, and to be consistent with prior research conducted by leaders in the field of marmoset in vivo electrophysiology (e.g., Dr. Stefan Everling, University of Western Ontario).

Research in the INS probes the neural circuit basis of working memory, a fundamental cognitive ability. INS members use in vivo electrophysiology to record the function of neurons in freely behaving animals. To date, these efforts have focused on use of experimental mice to understanding the neural computations within, and circuit-level interactions between, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and thalamus that support working memory. This acquisition is to expand the capabilities of our laboratory to explore, in collaboration with Dr. James Bourne (NIMH), the neural basis of working memory and related cognitive constructs in freely behaving marmosets. This expansion will provide fundamental insights into how the non-human primate brain enables the cognitive capacity of working memory.

Item Name

Manufacturer

Item Number 

001-06 Main Control Unit Bundle USA

SpikeGadgets

860-00005 - A

002-02 Environmental Control Unit Bundle USA

SpikeGadgets

860-00006 - A

Control Unit Mounting Kit

SpikeGadgets

860-00002 - D

ECU Breakout

SpikeGadgets

900-00009 - D

RF Transceiver for MCU Bundle

SpikeGadgets

860-00026 - A

Data Logging Bundle

SpikeGadgets

860-00027 - A

Battery Charger Bundle USA

SpikeGadgets

860-00035 - A

Cambridge Molex64 128ch Adapter

SpikeGadgets

900-00042 - A

Quantity - 1 of each item, except the Data Logging Boundle (3), and Cambridge Molex64 128ch Adapter (2).

Delivery Date : 30 days ARO
 

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.