Legal Notices

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT R2100395 Response Deadline: 3:00 p.m., LPT, Friday, August 7, 2020 Marshall University intends to waive the solicitation process and approve a sole source to purchase a minimum of sixteen (16) Operant Conditioning Chambers. The University has determined that identical equipment from previous institution is crucial for the experiment continuation. Justification: The University has determined the Operant Conditioning Chambers has many unique features that are essential to the University’s program. Those features include the following: 1. This is the standard hardware for intravenous drug self-administration and other operant conditioning paradigms in mice. This work and that funding is contingent on the ability to continue the work began in the postdoctoral lab (see NIH K99/R00 mechanism). 2. This is the same hardware that used to collect data for multiple papers. 3. This is the same hardware that has recently been used to collect data on ~1200 intravenous drug self-administration mice and the same number of serial reversal learning mice in the CSNA at JAX. 4. The above two points are important for the following reason: In NIDA grant applications that is being written, it’s proposed to collect data and compare those data directly across ~50 mouse strains to previously collected data (by scientist and by others at JAX). This is a critical component of the applications and in fact a critical component of systems genetics as an approach. Switching to completely different hardware and software would have unknown effects on the outcome variables (this is on top of all the logistical hurdles described above). The proposal to use equipment different from what has been used up to this point (both in K99 and the P50 at JAX) would absolutely be seen as a major weakness by the NIH study section. Reasons for this are complex but hinge on the fact that operant conditioning is a very nuanced science: auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli paired with reward can all influence probability of a subsequent response in unpredictable ways that interact with genetic background. For this reason, it is critical to hold all variables constant or manipulate them systematically. To do this, use identical modular chambers which are the ones we intend to order. 5. All of the points listed above would also cause issues with manuscripts that would be submitted for peer review (i.e., performing genetic correlations across studies in which different hardware and software were used). Interested Vendors (firms or individuals) that can sell an “or equal” aircraft to the University can respond with an alternate solution that overcomes the sole source reasons stated above, along with sufficient, detailed, convincing documentation, regarding their ability to supply equivalent Operant Conditioning Chambers. The Vendor’s response must be sent directly to Marshall Associate Director of purchasing at [email protected] and received no later than 3:00 p.m., LPT, Friday, August 7, 2020. Any responses to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the University. Supporting documentation should include, but is not limited to, Operant Conditioning Chambers specifications, available quantities and a comprehensive timeline that include Operant Conditioning Chambers importation and upgrades. The University reserves the right to require the responding Vendor to submit additional information as it may deem necessary and may consider any evidence available to it of the financial technical and other qualifications and abilities of the responding Vendor. This is not a request for bids or proposals and there is no solicitation available. The University will not consider any responses as a proposal, bid, or quote. Any response received as a result of this Notice of Intent shall be considered solely for determining whether bona fide competition exists. If it is determined by University staff, after reviewing any information received from responding Vendors, that sole source justification stands and the aircraft are available only from a sole source, the University will waive the solicitation process and award the sole source procurement. LH-96193 8-4;2020