66--NIR Video Fear Condtioning System

The US Army Soldier Systems Center, Army Contracting Command, Natick, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Med Associates, Inc., of Albans, VT, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(i)(A), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, a NIR Video Fear Conditioning System for preclinical testing chronic stress model of cognitive and affective dysfunction that is suitable for assessing the effects of chronic stress on war fighter mental and physical health on rats. The utilization of NIR technology is a recent development in animal cognitive and behavioral testing. This technology was developed and manufactured commercially by Med Associates, which prevents the adverse impact of bright illumination on the rat's behavior and allows high quality video tracking of the rat. There are not any devices available that use this technology or contain all its features which makes this system fully validated. All questions and/or inquiries must be submitted in writing either by fax or E-mail. The E-mail address for Elaine Scarnici is [email protected]. The fax number is (508) 422-9673. The closing date of this notice is 10 August 2011. See Note 22.