SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Search for the Auditory Engram in Chimpanzees
- Notice Date
- 5/27/2011
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- NOI-2121472
- Archive Date
- 6/18/2011
- Point of Contact
- Korriise L. LaRoche, Phone: 301-435-8782
- E-Mail Address
-
larochek@mail.nih.gov
(larochek@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a notice of intent, not a request for a proposal. A solicitation document will not be issued and proposals will not be requested. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Office of Acquisitions-Neuroscience, Station Support/Simplified Acquisition (SS/SA) on behalf of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source, noncompetitive basis to Emory University-Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 for the project entitled, “Search for the Auditory Engram in Chimpanzees”. This project involves training chimpanzees to perform an auditory delayed matching-to-sample-task to test long-term memory. The chimpanzees at Yerkes have had extensive behavioral training on matching-to-sample type cognitive tasks. In particular, they have training on matching vocalizations with appropriate facial expressions. Because of this, memory will be assessed to determine if there is any long-term memory in this type of task. Thus, the chimps will have to remember the vocalization for several seconds before they can match to the appropriate face. Once testing is complete for this task, the chimps will then be tested directly on an auditory recognition memory task. Testing will be done in the Yerkes Cognition Room, using a touchscreen set-up. For the Auditory match-to-sample training, a trial begins with a sound (2s) from a single speaker. Touching the touchscreen during the sound will not be rewarded, but will, instead, immediately trigger a second sound (2s) presented through the same speaker. If the sound matches the sample sound touching the left spot on the touch screen during the second sound will result in a reward. If the sound does not match the sample sound then touching the spot on the right of the touch screen results in reward. The chimps will be tested on 100 trials a day. The sounds will be from a set of 900 “junk” sounds that includes natural sounds to synthetic sounds. The chimps will be trained on this or a modified version until they perform above 85% correct. To test the chimp’s auditory memory, a very short delay will be introduced at first between the sample and test sounds. Then the delay will be gradually increased until the chimp no longer performs significantly above chance. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, the work is to be conducted at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, where access to test chimpanzees is available. The proposed work is a continuation of the collaboration between Yerkes and NIMH. The Yerkes primate center has an expert in chimpanzee cognitive behavior and has an interest in memory processes. The team of investigators has the expertise and experience to complete the proposed work, thus it is cost efficient to continue the ongoing collaboration. The period of performance is 12 months with two 12-month option periods. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12-Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and FAR 13.501(a)(1) to use Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Commercial Items. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis by submitting a statement of capabilities on or before 10:00 AM E.T., June 3, 2011 to Korriise LaRoche, larochek@mail.nih.gov. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NIDA/NIMH to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award from the NIDA, the vendor must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov. In addition, the vendor must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at ww.ccr.gov. Please reference announcement number NOI-2121472 on all correspondence.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIDA-2/NOI-2121472/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02458970-W 20110529/110527234128-672dad6c3cdea371229f3ec6367d0622 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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