Naval Research Laboratory, Code 3220, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20375-5326

66 -- IMPROVEMENTS TO RAPTOR FIBER OPTIC BIOSENSOR SOL N00173-00-R-KK02 POC Kevin M. King, Contract Specialist, Code 3220.KK, (202) 767-1495, Wayne Carrington, Contracting Officer E-MAIL: CLICK HERE, KING@CONTRACTS.NRL.NAVY.MIL. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation, N00173-00-R-KK02, is a request for proposal (RFP). The incorporated provisions and clauses of this acquisition are those in effect for Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Federal Acquisition Circular 97-14 and for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) through Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 91-13. The small business size standard for this acquisition is 100 employees and the SIC code is 5049. This acquisition is unrestricted. IMPROVEMENTS TO RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, INC. RAPTOR MODEL FIBER OPTIC BIOSENSOR. NRL uses the Research International, Inc. RAPTOR Model fiber optic biosensor (hereinafter referred to as "RAPTOR" ) to develop assays to detect pathogens, toxins, pollutants and other hazardous substances in a wide variety of samples. To meet the military requirements for detecting very low levels of pathogens and toxins in environmental samples, NRL needs a device with the advantages of the RAPTOR (rapid, portable, automated, easy to use, field hardened) but with increased sensitivity. Part I is designed to modify the fluidics and the method of reagent utilization to increase the sensitivity. Currently, four fluorescent reagents are mixed and delivered to all four probes. Thus, the background signal reflects nonspecific binding of all 4 reagents to the probes. Separating the reagents to deliver a different reagent to each fiber probe will reduce the background without diminishing the signal, thereby increasing the sensitivity. Part II is designed to reduce the size of the RAPTOR so that it can be used in a new unmanned plane being developed at NRL. In addition to reducing the size and weight of the RAPTOR, modifications will be required to make sure that it can stand up to the conditions of transport at high altitude. An optional task is to add a small particle detector to the modified RAPTOR to act as a trigger to turn it on. This synopsis/solicitation seeks a contractor to improve the commercially available fiber optic biosensor, the RAPTOR. Part I modifies two Government furnished RAPTOR units to improve sensitivity of the assays. Part II reconfigures the contractor provided RAPTOR components to achieve a smaller, lighter weight version of the biosensor with the same detection capabilities. PART I. MODIFICATION OF 2 RAPTOR BIOSENSORS TO INCREASE SENSITIVITY The sensitivity and reliability of the RAPTOR biosensor will be improved through steps described in the tasks below. The Contractor shall perform the following tasks: TASK 1: Reagent Storage and Transport The contractor shall make modifications to the coupon and fluidic circuitry to allow individual storage of assay reagent for each waveguide detector. This specifically entails development and qualification of a four-chamber reagent reservoir (each reagent reservoir > 1.5 mL) and actuating means; modification of reagent interface spigots on the external shell; internal rerouting of fluid flows; redefinition of septum-piercing needle functions; and rerouting of channels on the injection molded coupon. To maintain the same septum-piercing needle array presently used, coupon functions now performed with pneumatic pressure shall be converted to a hydraulic-driven scenario using an internal peristaltic pump. TASK 2: Fluidic Circuit Card The contractor shall design and qualify a planar two-layer fluidic circuit card that contains air, buffer and pneumatic control lines. The card shall incorporate on its surfaces integral fluid pass-thrus and spigots for connection to air pumps and the like, and mounting pads that allow valves, flow regulators and filters to be directly placed on its surface. Task 3: Reporting and Deliverables The contractor shall provide monthly letter progress reports to NRL outlining work accomplished during the previous month and work projected for the next month. The two modified RAPTORS will be delivered to NRL for test and evaluation. If they are not significantly more sensitive (by at least a factor of four), they shall be returned to their original configuration prior to final delivery to NRL. The contractor shall supply fluidic coupons (not to exceed 100 coupons) and fiber probes (not to exceed 400 probes) in numbers sufficient to thoroughly test the instrument . PART II. MINIATURIZATION OF THE RAPTOR The contractor shall reconfigure the components of the RAPTOR for operation on a small, unmanned plane. The reconfigured biosensor must weigh less than 5 pounds, including batteries, and an integrated ram-air cyclone. An optional task is to add a small particle detector as a trigger to start sample collection by the cyclone. Task 1. Integration of RAPTOR and Air Sampler in a Small System. The contractor shall combine the current electronics for the SASS 2000 air sampler and the RAPTOR biosensor and eliminate all redundant systems. A new board set will be laid out using surface mount components that are compatible with the UAV volume and weight constraints. The goal for a combined air sampler/assay system to be used in the UAV is a total volume of 4,719 cc (10.16 cm x 30.48 cm x 15.24 cm) and a payload weight of 3,401 g (7.5 lbs). It is envisioned that the miniaturized RAPTOR will take advantage of the existing RF link used to control the plane, allowing the assay to be run from the ground via the RF link. The keypad and LCD display on the existing RAPTOR will not be needed for the UAV system. The enclosures for both the RAPTOR and the SASS will not be needed, since the shell of the UAV will act as a protective enclosure for this equipment. The SASS and the RAPTOR will be able to share a single battery and buffer supply. It is envisioned that a lightweight frame will be needed to mount the various subassemblies of the RAPTOR in the UAV, even though the UAV will act as the protective system shell. The size and weight of the frame must be compatible with the goals for the total payload. At least one of the micro-controllers will be eliminated in the consolidation process. The embedded software of the remaining micro-controllers will also be modified to consolidate the software which resided on the eliminated micro-controller(s) onto the remaining micro-controllers. Task 2: Hardware Construction/Integration. The contractor shall construct 2 complete systems as described in Task 1. These systems must perform with the same assay sensitivity as the original RAPTOR. These systems must be capable of being mounted into the baseline UAV. This system will include the integrated sampler/detector electro-optics package, fluidics coupons, fiber optic probes, batteries, and ram-air cyclones. Task 3: (optional) Optical Particle Detector. The contractor shall design an optical particle detector which detects 1-10 micron particles. This detector shall be tested in an aerosol chamber to validate performance. After performance verification, the detector will be incorporated in the inlet of the air sampler delivered for use in the UAV. The inclusion of a particle detector with the modified RAPTOR will allow reagents and sampler water to be conserved by detecting the presence of the particle cloud and triggering an assay only when necessary. Task 4: Reporting and Deliverables The contractor shall provide monthly progress reports to NRL outlining work accomplished during the previous month and work projected for the next month. Two modified mini-RAPTORs as described in Task 2 will be delivered to NRL for test and evaluation along with sufficient coupons and probes (not to exceed 300 sets) for thorough testing in the lab and field. Software and an operations manual will also be delivered. Delivery and acceptance is at the Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20375-5326, FOB Destination. The delivery schedule for Part I is 12 months after the date of award, and the delivery schedule for Part II is 24 months after the date of award. The FAR and DFAR provisions and clause cited herein are incorporated by reference into this solicitation. Offerors are advised to propose in accordance with the provision at FAR 212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items. The proposal must demonstrate an understanding of all requirements covered in the RFP's terms and conditions. General statements that the offer can or will comply with the requirements, that standard procedures will be used, that well known techniques will be used, or paraphrases the RFP's Specifications in whole or in part will not constitute compliance with these requirements concerning the content of the technical proposal. The Government intends to award a contract resulting from this solicitation to that responsible offeror proposing the lowest price for the Supplies or Services that has been determined to comply with the requirements of the solicitation. Offerors are advised to include with their offer a completed copy of the following provisions: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-CommerciaI Items, DFARS 252.212-7000(http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/reps) and DFARS 252.225-7000, Buy American Act-Balance of Payments Program Certificate. The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial items, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes of Executive Orders-Commercial Items. The additional clauses that are applicable to this acquisition are FAR 52.203-6, FAR 52.219-4, FAR 52.219-8, FAR 52.219-9, FAR 52.222-21, FAR 52.222-26, FAR 52.222-35, FAR 52.222-36, FAR 52.222-37, FAR 52.232-33 and FAR 52.247-64. The clauses at DFARS 252.212-7001, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes Applicable to Defense Acquisitions of Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The additional clauses cited applicable to this acquisition are: DFARS 252.205-7000, DFARS 252.219-7003, DFARS 252.225-7001, DFARS 252.225-7007, DFARS 252.225-7012, DFARS 252.225-7036, DFARS 252.227-7015, DFARS 252.227-7037, DFARS 252.243-7002, DFARS 252.204-7004, Any contract awarded as a result of this solicitation will be a DO rated order certified for national use under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) (15CFR 700). Any questions generated, as a result of this solicitation must be received no later than 10 days before the closing date. Original and two (2) copies of the Offerors proposal must be delivered to Contracting Officer, Bldg. 222, Rm. 115A, Naval Research Laboratory, Code 3220:KK 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20375-5326, and received no later than 4:00 p.m. E.S.T. on 03 APR 2000. The package should be marked RFP N00173-00-R-KK02, Closing Date: 03 APR 2000. For more information regarding this solicitation contact Kevin M. King, Contract Specialist at (202) 767-1495. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. Synopsis number KK02. Posted 03/03/00 (W-SN430852). (0063)

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