The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded a purchase order to Hunt Optics & Imaging Inc. on September 25, 2026, for an Olympus BX53 upright microscope with phase contrast and fluorescent capability, with a ceiling value of $32,967.38 and firm fixed-price terms.
Place of performance is Houma, Louisiana. The microscope is new equipment sourced from the OEM and includes standard eyepieces, 4x fluorite objectives, 10x and 40x fluorite and phase objectives, three filter sets (DAPI, GFP, and TxRed), a rotatable 5-position phase contrast turret condenser, a reflected light fluorescence illuminator with 8-position cube turret, a pE-300Lite LED light source with direct-couple multi-band UV 400nm capability, and minimum five-year warranty on mechanics and optics and one-year warranty on electronics from installation completion. Delivery is due within 60 days to the Houma Sugarcane Research Center at 5883 USDA Road under F.O.B. destination terms. Ultimate completion is November 25, 2026. The order was issued under unrestricted full-and-open procurement (NAICS 334516, PSC 6640) following a solicitation posted September 18, 2026, with quotations due September 23, 2026.