SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: NIMH21002829SS Title: Motorized, Inverted Microscope System plus Stereomicroscope and Camera Classification Code: 66 – Instruments & laboratory equipment NAICS Code: 333314 Description: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. For equipment/supply requirements, small business responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture), as well as (2) the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. 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. Background: It is essential when doing any cell culturing procedure to visually inspect microscopic cells grown in culture. This allows for evaluation of the health of the cells, the presence or absence of contamination and the levels of confluency. This is also true for work including organoid culture, where it is critical to be able to monitor the differentiation status of the cells. This is done both visually and with fluorescent biological markers. In addition to making visual examinations of the cells, it is essential to be able to document with high resolution and image quality the condition of the cells for publication. It is essential to Section on Developmental Neurogenomics (SDN)’s research program that it acquire an optically superior microscope system and outfit it with a high quality scientific cmos camera for capturing images. For full functionality, SDN requires motorization for both phase and fluorescent imaging to acquire multichannel images and to collect multiple Z dimensions. Motorization of Z will also allow SDN to do a full range of autofocus routines. Further, motoriziation will allow SDN to automate imaging in multi-well imaging vessels and stitching and tiling applications. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this requirement is to obtain a motorized , inverted microscope with 25 mm field of view; and a stereomicroscope for routine evaluation. Project requirements: Motorized, inverted microscope system with 25mm field of view, fluorescence, imaging and artificial intelligence capabilities plus stereomicroscope and camera. Purchase Description: Please refer to Attachment 1: PURCHASE DESCRIPTION for a complete purchase description. Salient characteristics : Please refer to Attachment 1: PURCHASE DESCRIPTION for a complete list of salient characteristics. Quantity: One inverted microscope and one stereomicroscope Delivery Date: The product will be delivered no later than 60 days after receipt of the PO. All labor, materials, and shipping are to be provided by the contractor. Period of Performance: Following delivery and installation, the contractor shall provide no less than 8 hours of on-site training for the routine operation of the inverted research microscope. A minimum of (1) at least a 12-month comprehensive warranty, and (2) four years for optical and mechanical is required. Option(s): None Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specified in this notice including providing information regarding being an authorized provider of the services. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. 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 an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Michael Horn, at e-mail address
[email protected] with the subject line NIMH21002829SS. The response must be received on or before March 29, 2021, 5:00 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 Federal Business Opportunities. 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).