NOI-Muse S3 Athena Headbands and Accessories.
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), has issued a Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Muse-Athena Headbands and Accessories. This acquisition supports the Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch (GERB)'s study on circadian and seasonal rhythms, mood regulation, and mood disorders. The government intends to award a contract to Interaxon Inc. without full and open competition. Interested parties capable of fulfilling the requirement must submit a capability statement by April 6, 2026, at 4:00 pm EST.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for the purchase of 40 Muse-Athena Headbands, along with replacement headband straps, data services, and a subscription for data processing and technical support. These devices are crucial for collecting ecologically valid data on sleep, physical activity, diet, cognitive function, and physical health in participants' home environments, minimizing the need for overnight stays at the NIH Clinical Center. The headbands must meet specific salient characteristics, including:
- Biofeedback Sensors: fNIRS, EEG, PPG, accelerometer, gyroscope.
- EEG Channels: 4 EEG channels + 4 amplified Aux channels.
- PPG Channel: Triple wavelength (IR, Near-IR, Red), 64 Hz sample rate, 20-bit resolution.
- Unique Features: Validated 5-stage sleep scoring (Cohen's kappa of 0.76), sleep microarchitecture analysis, heart rate metrics, raw EEG .EDF and .CSV data files, custom reporting, mobile application customization, and signal quality index.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Pre-Solicitation Notice of Intent to Sole Source
- NAICS Code: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Business Size Standard: 1000 employees
- Set-Aside: This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses.
- Response Due: April 6, 2026, at 4:00 pm EST
- Published: March 20, 2026
- Period of Performance: Includes a one-year warranty for the headbands.
Evaluation & Justification
The government's determination to award without full and open competition is based on market research indicating that Interaxon Inc. is the only vendor capable of providing the required proprietary equipment and maintenance. This acquisition is conducted under FAR Subpart 13.5 (Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items) and FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source).
Submission Requirements
This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation to demonstrate their ability to meet the requirement. Submissions must include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery period, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point, DUNS, TIN, and business size certification. All offerors must have an active registration in SAM.gov. Responses must reference solicitation number PCA-NIMH-01917 and be submitted electronically to Jaddua Johnston at Jaddua.Johnston@nih.gov.