US-FED-00000390377 - Q527--Research Support | UCLA CCN MRI Scan Services - Deadline August 18,2026

Regional Procurement Office (RPO) – East intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the University of California, Los Angeles/UCLA Staglin Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, 760 Westwood Plaza, Ste. C7–439, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, to obtain functional MRI services for the Greater LA Healthcare System. Services will be used in support of VA funded research study, Enhancing Community Integration for Homeless Veterans (THRIVe) . Services will be purchased for a five (5)–year period. STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) 1.0 Title: Enhancing Community Integration for Homeless Veterans (THRIVe) 2.0 Purpose: UCLA Staglin Center for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) will provide MRI services 3.0 Background: UCLA CCN is the only commercially available MRI scanner to offer several state–of–the–art capabilities required for highly demanding brain imaging studies. Current researchers in THRIVe use the CCN MRI, awarded under Contract 36C24E22D0002. A new contract with the same vendor is needed for continued services and consistency of data collection. 4.0 Scope: CCN operates an advanced MRI laboratory equipped for anatomical, functional (BOLD and arterial spin labeling), diffusion–weighted, and spectroscopic imaging, and is equipped with an integrated electroencephalography (EEG) system, as well as an analysis core specializing in algorithms for modeling functional imaging and EEG datasets. The equipment and technology are unique. 4.1 Tasks: CCN provide access to their scanner where we will obtain MRI scans using a 3.0 Tesla Siemens MEGNETOM Prisma Magnetic Resonance Imaging system for THRIVe related projects. 4.1.1.1 Task 1: CCN will provide a 3.0 Tesla Siemens MEGNETOM Prisma Magnetic Resonance Imaging system to obtain MRI images on research subjects. This will include using special protocols developed for research by study investigators, not used in clinical settings, to acquire images. Scans are completed by VA research staff who are MRI safety certified, and a certification provided by CCN. Should there be any issues with the scanner, CCN staff are available during every scan to assist. 4.1.1.2 Task 2: CCN will obtain MRI images on research subjects which will include Anatomical (T1 and T2) images Functional scans including resting state or tasked based Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) MRS (Magnetic Resonance (MR) spectroscopy) Additional variables as time allows Each scan varies in the number of images obtained. Study team have a two–hour timeslot to review MRI safety with participants, set up scanner, scan, and rescan should there be a need (e.g., participant using squeezeball to speak with team resulting in restarting scan). A typical cross–sectional study has a duration of four years with a sample size of 100 subjects. In a cross–sectional study, a single set of image files is collected from each participant. A typical set of files would include two structural/anatomical image–files and three to four functional scan (fMRI) files. Some studies would also include one to two DTI scans and one MRS scan. Thus, a typical scan session would generate between 5 and 9 images. A typical study would conduct approximately 25 scans per year, generating between 125 and 225 complete (nifiti–format) image–files per year and 500 to 900 image–files over the life of the project. Thus, this agreement will support the collection of at least 500 complete image–files per year The VA will own the scans when complete. 4.1.1.3 CCN staff will perform a daily long–term stability test on the scanner to ensure that the scanner is within manufacturer specifications. Vendor supplied stability long–term check , which is under the quality assurance scanning protocol, is specifically utilized. This is comprised of a fifteen minute long 5 slice echo–planar sequence with a TR of 1second. A 45° flip angle is used instead of siemens specified default flip angle as this increases sensitivity to fluctuations in the RF power amplifier. 4.1.2 Deliverables/Reporting Requirements The contractor shall perform the Services in Tasks 1 and 2 will be CCN will provide access to MRI scanner and scans will be completed by MRI at a time decided by VA study team and participants as outlined in section 13. 5.0 Period of Performance: Period of performance is one, five (5)–year period with five (5) ordering years (no option periods). Anticipated start date with estimated order years: Order Year 1: 9/21/2026 – 9/20/2027 Order Year 2: 9/21/2027 – 9/20/2028 Order Year 3: 9/21/2028 – 9/20/2029 Order Year 4: 9/21/2029 – 9/20/2030 Order Year 5: 9/21/2030 – 9/20/2031 6.0 Place of Performance: The contractor shall support this effort at UCLA Center for Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) 760 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90024 7.0 Type of Contract: Firm–fixed price, Indefinite Requirements 8.0 Task Orders and Estimates. 8.1 This agreement will support the collection of at least 500 complete image–files per year 8.2 All Work performed under this contract shall only be performed by the contracto