Service Contract for Bruker Biospec 70/30 MRI Magnet, Console, Cryocooler, Coils and Cryoprobe

SAM.gov SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: 75N98026Q01032 Title: Service Contract for Bruker Biospec 70/30 MRI Magnet, Console, Cryocooler, Coils and Cryoprobe Classification Code: J065 NAICS Code: 811210 Description: Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair 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; (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. Background: This requirement is for an extended service contract for NIA’s Bruker Biospec 70/30 MRI magnet, console, cryocooler , cryoprobe and associated gradient, shim and radio-frequency coils, all located at the NIH Biomedical Research Center (BRC) in Baltimore, Maryland. Because this equipment is absolutely vital and central to the research of several NIA/IRP laboratories, which involves time-critical experiments on irreplaceable animals, it is essential that this instrument be kept fully functional at all times. For these reasons, NIA requires an extended service contract for this equipment. The cryocooler cools the infrared radiation shield inside the MRI scanner’s superconducting magnet in lieu of a liquid nitrogen bath and must be maintained in working condition 24 hours a day. Failure of this equipment will cause the magnet to rapidly lose liquid helium and will result in a sudden, catastrophic loss of superconductivity and magnetic field strength known as a “quench”. To recommission a MRI magnet after a quench, if possible, requires months of down time and expensive service charges. Thus, purchasing a service contract to keep the magnet’s cryocooler hardware running and to recover from a quench is critical to NIA’s daily operations. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to procure a service contract for NIA’s Bruker Biospec 70/30 MRI Magnet, Console, Cryocooler, Coils and Cryoprobe Project requirements: Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall perform the following: The contractor shall provide telephone and E-mail support for troubleshooting magnet, cryocooler, console, coil and cryoprobe problems on the Biospec 70/30 MRI scanner (system ID 10244219). The contractor shall maintain an inventory of up-to-date console, magnet cryocooler system and cryoprobe cooling system (CCU) parts and replacement or loaner radio-frequency, gradient and shim coils for the Biospec 70/30 USR MRI scanner. All parts must contain the latest hardware configuration and firmware needed for compatibility with our scanner’s electronic and software systems. In those situations where the MRI scanner is not operational, the contractor shall use overnight carr...