Sources Sought The Service Area Office East (SAO-E) Research Contracting Office intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with Carl Zeiss Microscopy, 1 Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594, for the procurement of an Axio Observer 7 with Definite Focus (system with many components). The procurement is to include many other items including Zen software and analysis modules, license keys, motorized XY stage, monochrome cameras, workstations, Epi-fluorescence illumination, polarizing filters, triggering components, and installation and training. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(b)(only 1 responsible source) because the Government believes that Carl Zeiss Microscopy, is the only manufacturer/seller/installer of all of these items and that only these Zeiss items have the technological and performance capabilities that are clinically acceptable for use in the research laboratory at the VA Seattle Medical Center. The Zeiss components are believed to be the only ones suitable for the intended use in the laboratory. Salient characteristics include: Dr. William Banks Blood Brain Barrier Research projects have a requirement for a research grade motorized inverted microscope imaging system for both bright field and fluorescence samples. In addition the instrument must be equipped for heat and CO2 controlled incubation for live cell imaging. Inverted microscope stand with flexible platform design to accommodate multiple imaging technologies and sample types. Robust hardware autofocus mechanism that projects an infrared LED monitored system onto the bottom of the sample and automatically adjusts for focus drift caused by environmental factors during multi-position time-lapse experiments Transmitted light source with both phase contrast and DIC (differential interference contrast) capabilities Fluorescence illumination using a multi-wavelength (minimum 7 wavelengths) LED light source coupled directly to the stand. Advanced virtual filter technology featuring a double filter wheel a decoupled dichroic and emission wheels allowing for full spectral flexibility and fast switching times. Dual filter wheel containing filter sets for CY7, Texas Red/Alexa 594, FITC/Alexa 488 and DAPI A single LED option for Cy7 that can be triggered independently Motorized X, Y and Z stage controlled by joystick Fluar 5x objective, NA 0.25, WD 12.5mm, PL 45.06mm, field of view 23mm Plan-Apochromat 10x objective, NA 0.45, WD 2.0. PL 45.06mm, field of view 25mm Plan-Neoflar 20 & 40x objectives long working distance, NA 0.4& 0.6, with correction collar Plan-Aprochromat 25 & 40x multiple immersion media objectives specialized for live cell imaging with NA 0.8 & 1.2 Live cell incubation equipment consisting of a slide in module and heating unit enclosing the entire stage, objectives and light condenser, with CO2 and heat control Temperature control module must be controlled by instrument software with a temperature range of ambient to 60 C and have an internal resolution of 0.01 C CO2 control module must be controlled by instrument software with and operation range of 0 to 8.0% CO2 and have an internal resolution of 0.01% Digital CMOS monochromatic camera with W-VIEW mode, effective number of pixels equal to 2048(H)x2048(V), a dynamic range of 33,000:1, and a frame rate of 30 frames/second Computer workstation with Windows 10x64, 64GB RAM, NVIDIA Quadro M4000 8 GB graphics card, dual DDR4-2133 (Z840) 32 GB memory cards and a 27 inch monitor. Intuitive software for instrument operation and experimental design capable of controlling all of the instrument settings and including the following modules: autofocus, extended focus, Z stack, experiment designer, tiles & positions, image analysis and deconvolution Offline workstation with Windows 10x64, 64GB RAM, a 27 inch monitor and analysis software license An optical sectioning device that prevents scattered out of focus light and produces a 3D sectioning of the image resulting in near confocal resolution This notice of intent is not for competitive quotes. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number is 333314, small business size standard of 500 employees. This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document is yet available. However, parties may express their interest, accompanied by supporting literature, by email to Jeff Greis, Contracting Officer, no later than July 28 @ 12:01 ET. Responses should be sent to
[email protected]. No telephone responses will be accepted. Information received will be for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement or proceed with a sole-source procurement. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Please include your socioeconomic status (i.e., SDVOSB, VOSB) and DUNS numbers in your responses.