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SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: 75N95024Q00190SS Title: Benchtop confocal microscopy system Classification Code: 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laborat... SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: 75N95024Q00190SS Title: Benchtop confocal microscopy system Classification Code: 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing Size Standard: 1,000 employees Description: This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond. Responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Background: The Sections on Cells, Synapses, and Molecular Signaling (CSMS) and Genetics of Neuronal Signaling (GNS) study fundamental issues of mitochondrial function and mobility, neuromodulation, neuronal excitability, synaptic signaling, and neurodevelopment using animal models (principally, the mouse). A major line of research employs fluorescence imaging from both fixed and live neural tissue. This research requires a benchtop confocal system with brightfield and differential phase contrast (DPC) transmitted white light illumination, widefield epifluorescence for low-light imaging, and multipoint confocal for fast high-contrast 2D & 3D imaging. The system must be suitable for imaging both fixed and live neural tissue and include built-in vibration control (other pieces of equipment will be positioned on the same bench), a CO2 incubation system with an objective heater, a selection of objectives (20x to 100x) with high numerical apertures, and a computer workstation with integrated software for image acquisition and analysis. Purpose and Objectives: The CSMS and GNS require a benchtop confocal microscopy system equipped with brightfield and differential phase contrast (DPC) transmitted white light illumination, widefield epifluorescence for low-light imaging, and multipoint confocal for fast high-contrast 2D & 3D imaging. The system must include built-in vibration control and be suitable for imaging both fixed and live neural tissue. Project requirements: The confocal microscopy system shall have these characteristics: 1. Benchtop size. The microscope unit shall fit in a volume no larger than 20” x 25” x 20” (W x D x H). 2. Benchtop design. (A) Built-in vibration control that allows the microscope unit to be positioned on a standard laboratory bench rather than an optical or air table. (B) Light-tight lid obviating the need for a dark room or other low ambient light room. 3. Three imaging modalities: (A) microlens-based spinning-disk confocal, (B) widefield epifluorescence, and (C) brightfield in a single benchtop device. The confocal and widefield modalities shall utilize the same excitation light source. 4. The microlens-based spinning disk multi-point confocal shall include: (A) Borealis Illumination, to ensure optimal illumination uniformity when capturing tiled and stitched images of large samples, minimizing objective dependent dark edge effects at field boundaries to produce a seamless single large image. (B) Microlenses to improve light throughput. 5. Laser excitation wavelengths of 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm and 638 nm, and emission filters for commonly used fluorophores, including DAPI, GFP, mCherry, CY5. 6. Scientific CMOS camera with 4 MP (6.5 ?m pixels, 16-bit), up to 82% quantum efficiency, and a diagonal of >18 mm. 7. Focus-Seek-and-Lock methodology to aid sample focus and to retain focus during time-lapse experiments. 8. Fast imaging acquisition in both confocal and widefield mode. With an exposure time of 10 ms, the maximum full-frame (4 MP) acquisition rate shall be approximately 15 fps. Limiting acquisition to a 512 x 512-pixel sensor area shall increase the maximum rate to at least 40 fps. 9. Two transmitted light options. (A) Brightfield for samples with inherent contrast like larger organisms. (B) Differential Phase Contrast (DPC), that can be applied for samples which deliver high and low contrast. 10. Microscope objectives. (A) 20x Plan Apochromat Lambda D objective, 0.8 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.8 mm. (B) 40x Plan Apochromat Lambda S silicone oil immersion objective, 1.25 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.3 mm. (C) 60x Plan Apochromat Lambda D oil immersion objective, 1.42 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.15 mm. (D) 100x Plan Apochromat Lambda D oil immersion objective, 1.45 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.13 mm. 11. Stage-top incubator with humidity module and digitally controlled CO2 regulation using a pure CO2 source. Shall include a sample holder for glass-bottomed multi-well plates, and one that holds a 3” chamber slide and two 35 mm Petri-dishes. Shall include an objective heater. 12. Suitable for imaging of both fixed and live neural tissue, including cell cultures and brain slices. 13. Computer workstation. The workstation that controls the system shall meet these minimum requirements: Windows 10 operating system, 10 Core, 18 M Cache, 2.8 GHz; 64 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD Boot drive, 8 GB Graphics card, 2 TB data storage. 14. Software. Acquisition and analysis software suitable for studying the structure of neurons or other filamentous objects as well as their dynamics. The software shall make possible real-time 3D image rendering where each optical slice of a volume being captured renders during the acquisition. Anticipated period of performance: The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment within 90 days after receipt of order. Delivery must be Freight on Board (FOB) Destination and include inside delivery. The equipment shall be delivered and installed in coordination with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Other important considerations: The Contractor shall warrant that the Equipment will be free from defects for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of installation, inspection, and acceptance by the Government. The Contractor shall provide an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified service technician to perform setup, installation, and an on-site training session for staff members. The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment within 90 days after receipt of order. Delivery must be Freight on Board (FOB) Destination and include inside delivery. The equipment shall be delivered and installed in coordination with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The Contractor shall deliver and install the required equipment to the laboratory space defined by the NIH (Bethesda, MD). On-site training must take place within two (2) weeks of equipment installation. The Contractor must provide training for at least four (4) users on the system. This shall include: • Unpacking, assembly, and full build of the manufactured products and produced software. • Installation of optical components, cameras and light sources onto the microscope and alignment where suitable. • Full product training on all products as part of the installation. • An overview of the operation of the entire system and the supplied software. • Guidance and advice on the installation of any third party (non-manufactured) products supplied by the Contractor. The Contractor must have a dedicated service team. This service team should be able to exchange faulty items with their service stock within a week of the user’s equipment fault. In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25. Capability statement /information sought. Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Samson Shifaraw, Contracts Specialist, at e-mail address samson.shifaraw@nih.gov. The response must be received on or before 03/15/2024,1:00 PM Eastern Time. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”