This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. 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. The information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method including small business socioeconomic set aside possibilities and to determine the availability of qualified Small Business companies technically capable of meeting the Government's potential requirement. All Small Business companies with the capability and availability to perform the requirement under the applicable NAICS code is invited to submit a response to this notice. Background : This camera is used to obtain low signal and high frequency. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Synaptic Transmission Section (STS) lab needs this camera for two reasons. First, we use low fluorescence signal to measure the fluorescence changes in live imaging, and increasing the light power too substantially leads to live cells expiring. Second, we need to measure the signal every 20 ms sometime which is very high frequency and other cameras do not meet our requirements. In addition, the shutter is used to improve the signal quality in the experiments. Currently, the STS lab is working on endocytosis. Synaptic vesicle endocytosis retrieves fused vesicles from the plasma membrane to sustain synaptic transmission, which is essential for cell functioning. We are researching on endocytosis by live imaging, electron microscopy, western blot, and molecular biology, and involving several genes. This equipment is very useful for our live imaging experiments. Purchase Description : See attached Capability Statement : Interested parties are expected to review this notice to familiarize itself with the requirements of this product or service. Failure to do so will be at your firm's own risk. Respondents must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) best estimated delivery date after receipt of order; (d) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in this announcement. Respondents that believe that they are authorized resellers of the equipment described in this announcement may provide, in addition to the aforementioned information, as part of their response: quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11point or 12point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the product requirement. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and email addresses. Respondents must reference announcement number NIMH-SBSS-21-006152 on all correspondence related to this Small Business Sources Sought notice. The response must be submitted to
[email protected] and and be received prior to the closing date specified in this announcement. Concluding Statements : Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate 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 presolicitation 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 nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).