65--618-18-2-652-0038 EchoMRI Dr. Bunney (SheeP grant) (VA-18-00010713)

Service Area Office (SAO) - East intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with EchoMRI, LLC, 14781 Memorial Drive, #222, Houston, TX 77079, to purchase the EchoMRI-4n1-1100 Whole Body Composition Analyzer for Live Small Animals to replace an outdated EchoMRI system located at the Research Laboratory, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System. The current system is unable to measure the composition of organs/tissue samples and biopsies (small tissue samples). The ability to measure changes in the composition of organs is particularly crucial for the research group and other laboratories at the MVAHS, which are studying disease progression and ingestive behaviors. The following equipment will be purchased: ITEM INFORMATION ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT 0001 EchoMRI-4n1-1100 Whole Body Composition Analyzer for Live Small Animals The system must meet the features required below: Dimensions: 48"W x 28"D x 52"H / 121cm x 71cm x 132cm Range: up to 500 g for the Rats

(horizontal) probe up to 100 g for the Mice (vertical) probe up to 7 g for the Tissue/Organs (vertical) probe up to 0.3 for the Biopsy (vertical) probe Mobility: Single-body system on 6 casters for easy relocation Warm-up Time: 5 - 10 minutes after turning power on Holders for Vertical Bores: 3 holders of custom-defined sizes, one for each probe size. Holders for Horizontal Bore: 3 holders of custom-defined sizes, typically 300 and 500 grams. Shielding of Vertical Part: 5-Gauss magnetic field must be fully contained inside the rack with the exception of hemispherical volumes of 3" radius at the upper opening of each bore. Shielding of Horizontal Part: 5-Gauss magnetic field must be fully contained inside the rack with two exceptions: a 9"-radius hemisphere protruding from the rack at the bore opening and a similar hemisphere directly opposite to the bore opening. Functions: Measuring time: 0.5 - 3.2 minutes, depending on the precision option Records: Automatic save in file system and database Measures: The whole-body masses of Fat, Lean, Free Water, and Total Water Other Max Sample Mass Options 700 grams: Typical choices of holder sizes are 300, 500, or 700 grams. 900 grams: Typical choices of holder sizes are 300, 500, 700, or 900 grams. 1100 grams: Typical choices of holder sizes are 300, 500, 700, 900, or 1100 grams. Interfaces Operating System: Windows 7 Professional User Input: Keyboard, mouse, and ASCII files User Output: Monitor and files: ASCII, Excel, Access Communication Ports: 2 USB / 1 RJ45 CAT-5 10/100Mb network card Monitor: 17" LCD flat screen 1.00 EA This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Any responsible sources who wish to identify their interest and capability to provide this equipment or equipment that is compatible must notify this Contracting Specialist at Millicent.Covert@va.gov NLT, Friday, April 6, 2018 by noon EST. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Upon receipt of the interested parties' notification, the Contracting Officer will determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement or proceed with sole source negotiations.