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

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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 carrier services to ship repair parts and service equipment to the Government’s work site (BRC, Baltimore MD) at the contractor’s expense. After repairs are complete, the contractor shall pay for the return of service equipment and defective components to its facility.
• The contractor shall maintain a probe and coil repair facility and repair those NMR and MRI probes, resonators and coils specified in the contract that become defective.
• The contractor shall provide the following on-site preventive maintenance and remedial services to support the cryoprobe cooling unit (CCU):
  • Replace CCU cold head and compressor adsorber per manufacturer’s schedule or as needed to correct performance.
  • Adjust pressure of ultrapure helium gas in compressor circuit as needed to maintain cold head and compressor operation within manufacturer’s specified limits.
  • Diagnose and repair malfunctions in the CCU cooling system, including the cold head, compressor and helium pressure lines.
  • If compressor cannot be repaired on-site, contractor will replace compressor.
• The contractor shall provide the following preventive maintenance and remedial services to support the magnet and cryocooler system of the Biospec 70/30 MRI:
  • Replace magnet cold head and compressor adsorber per manufacturer’s schedule or as needed to correct performance.
  • Adjust pressure of ultrapure helium gas in compressor circuit as needed to maintain cold head and compressor operation within limits specified by the magnet control unit (BMU).
  • Supply liquid helium and refill the magnet cryostat as needed following service to the magnet cold head.
  • Diagnose and repair malfunctions in the cryocooler system, including the cold head, compressor and helium pressure lines.
  • Diagnose and repair malfunctions in the BMU and dual-loop heat exchanger (DLHE) cabinet.
  • In the event of a magnet quench (loss of magnetic field), provide liquid helium, service tools and labor to cool down and re-energize magnet.
• All work must be performed by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-certified, factory-trained technicians with an inventory of up-to-date replacement parts, test instruments and software.
• Contractor shall schedule Preventive Maintenance (PM) visits at a mutually agreeable time with the designated NIA Technical Point of Contact.

Anticipated period of performance:

Base Year:      September 5, 2026 – September 4, 2027

Option Year 1: September 5, 2027 – September 4, 2028

Option Year 2: September 5, 2028 – September 4, 2029

Option Year 3: September 5, 2029 – September 4, 2030

Option Year 4: September 5, 2030 – September 4, 2031

Requested Response:

The intent of this sources sought notice is to define the procurement strategy (e.g. set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation that is intended to be posted soon. Interested contractors are requested to respond by (1) identifying how their proposed product meets or exceeds the project requirements listed above; and (2) providing product literature, white papers, or capability statements that demonstrate their bona fide ability to supply such an item within the time frame described above.

In addition, please state your business size status and whether you are the manufacturer or authorized distributor of the item you propose.

Please note that NIH is particularly interested in small business sources. If you are a small business, please state the type of small business (small business; HUBZone; service-disabled, veteran-owned; 8(a); veteran-owned; woman-owned; or small disadvantaged businesses) and your 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.

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.

The information submitted must be must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein.  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 e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer.  Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Kevin Alvarez, Contracting Officer, at e-mail address kevin.alvarez@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before August 21, 2026, 9:00am, Eastern Time.

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 at SAM.gov. 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 non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).