140G0126Q0202_Vendor_Questions_0001.pdf

1. Set-aside status: The SF 18 cover page states that the RFQ is not a small business set-aside, but the solicitation also includes FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside. Can the Government clarify whether this acquisition is unrestricted or set aside for small business?

a. This solicitation is set aside as a total small business. Any entity registered in SAM as a small business may provide a quote.

2. Brand name or equal: The Statement of Need identifies the Nikon Eclipse Ci Upright Microscope or equivalent. Can the Government confirm that a non-Nikon equivalent system will be considered technically acceptable if the offeror provides documentation showing that it meets or exceeds the listed salient characteristics?

a. Offerors may propose a brand name or equivalent make/model that they believe meets or exceeds the salient characteristics specified in the solicitation. In accordance with the solicitation, the Government will determine whether the proposed equipment satisfies the salient characteristics during the evaluation of quotations after the solicitation closing date.

3. Encoded nosepiece requirement: The Statement of Need requires an encoded nosepiece that automatically communicates objective magnification to the PC/software for proper calibration. Would a motorized nosepiece with objective-position memory and software calibration capability satisfy this requirement, or must the nosepiece specifically transmit the selected objective magnification directly to the PC/software without manual software selection?

a. Yes, this would be considered acceptable.

4. Light-intensity memory: For the light-intensity management requirement, is it acceptable for the microscope to automatically store and recall illumination settings through a motorized nosepiece/control system, or must this feature be integrated specifically with PC/software?

a. Offerors may propose a brand name or equivalent make/model that they believe meets or exceeds the salient characteristics specified in the solicitation. In accordance with the solicitation, the Government will determine whether the proposed equipment satisfies the salient characteristics during the evaluation of quotations after the solicitation closing date.

5. Fluorescence-optimized objectives: The Statement of Need requires 4x, 10x, and 40x objectives optimized for fluorescence microscopy, with better optical correction than standard microscope lenses. Would Plan Semi-Apochromatic / Fluarex-type objectives be considered acceptable for this requirement?

a. Yes, this would be acceptable.

6. Fluorescence accessories: Does the Government require only fluorescence-optimized objectives, or must the quoted system also include fluorescence hardware such as a fluorescence illuminator, filter cubes, filter turret, or fluorescence light source?

a. The fluorescence hardware is not necessary as the goal is to have improved resolution and light collection for brightfield imaging because they are designed with high numerical aperture and advanced aberration correction, which enhance overall image clarity and detail. They deliver sharper, higher-resolution images in brightfield mode by maximizing light collection and minimizing optical distortions, even if you never use fluorescence filters or excitation sources.

7. Objective configuration: The required objective list includes 2x, 4x, 10x, and 40x objectives. May offerors include additional objectives, such as 20x or 100x, as long as the required objectives are included and the quoted system remains compliant?

a. As long as the quote included 2x, 4x, 10x, and 40x, it would be considered.

8. 2x objective: For the 2x ultra-wide Achromat objective requirement, is an add-on 2x

Plan Achromat objective acceptable if it is fully compatible with the microscope’s optical system and software calibration?

a. Yes, this would be considered acceptable.

9. 25 mm field-of-view requirement: Can the Government clarify whether the 25 mm large field-of-view requirement refers to the eyepiece field number, the camera/imaging field of view, or another measurement method?

a. Please see response to question 11.

10. Camera requirement: The Statement of Need requires a color camera, 23.9 megapixel, with 6K imaging capabilities. Is 23.9 MP an exact requirement, or would a higher-resolution color scientific camera be acceptable if it provides equal or better imaging capability?

a. As long as it meets or exceeds the MP, it is considered acceptable.

11. Definition of 6K imaging: Can the Government clarify how it defines “6K imaging capabilities” for evaluation purposes, such as minimum horizontal pixel count, image resolution, or manufacturer-stated 6K capability?

a. 6K imaging refers to the camera’s ability to capture images at a resolution of 6000 × 3984 pixels, which equals 23.9 megapixels. The 6K sensor should support a 25 mm field of view, allowing wide-area imaging in a single shot

12. Software: For the all-inclusive imaging software requirement, can the Government confirm the minimum required software functions? For example, should the software include live image capture, objective calibration, measurement, annotation, image export, and archiving?

a. The software should include single-click capture, high-resolution output, output as JPEG or TIFF files, multiple observation modes (phase contrast, darkfield, polarization, and fluorescence), captured images can be saved directly to a connected computer or storage device and archived, images can be annotated, built-in tools for measuring distances, numbers of objects, angles, and areas within images, calibrated to ensure accurate measurements, tools to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance for better visualization, include functions like de-convolution, noise reduction, and sharpening, supports batch processing and comparison of multiple images.

13. Section 508 / VPAT: The Section 508 attachment requests an Accessibility Conformance Report for ICT items. Will the Government accept manufacturer-provided VPAT/ACR documentation for the camera and imaging software? Also, should the ACR be submitted with the quotation, or may it be provided after award but before acceptance?

a. Yes. Manufacturer-provided Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), including those prepared using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT®) Version 2.1 or later, are acceptable provided they satisfy the requirements of the Section 508 attachment. In accordance with the Instructions to Offerors, an ACR shall be provided for each commercially available ICT item offered as part of the quotation.

14. FISMA / IT security: Since this appears to be a supply-only purchase of COTS microscope hardware and imaging software, with no contractor access to USGS systems anticipated, can the Government confirm whether background investigation, DOI training, NDA, or system-access requirements are not applicable?

a. Yes. This is a supply-only acquisition. Based on the requirements of this solicitation, contractor personnel are not expected to require background investigations, DOI training, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), or access to Government information systems to perform the contract.

15. Installation and training: Is this requirement for delivery only, or should offerors include installation, setup, calibration, and/or user training at the destination?

a. This acquisition is for equipment only.

16. Delivery address: The SF 18 references USGS AL CFWRU / Auburn, AL, while the

Statement of Need lists Auburn University, 382 Mell St, 319 Swingle Hall, Auburn, AL 36849. Can the Government confirm the final delivery address and whether inside delivery is required?

a. There is no location to leave packages outside. Inside delivery to the following address is required:

Auburn University 382 Mell St 319 Swingle Hall Auburn, AL 36849

17. CLIN pricing: Should offerors provide separate pricing for CLIN 00010 Microscope, CLIN 00020 Optics, CLIN 00030 Camera, and CLIN 00040 Software, or may offerors provide a bundled microscope system price with CLIN-level price allocation?

a. Vendors may provide a total price but must include pricing per the CLIN structure.

18. Buy American / country of origin: Because FAR 52.52225-1 and 52.225-2 are included, should offerors provide country-of-origin information for each major component— microscope body, objectives, camera, and software—or only for the complete delivered system?

a. Offerors should comply with the requirements of FAR 52.225-1 and FAR 52.225-2, as incorporated in the solicitation. The solicitation does not require offerors to provide country-of-origin information for each major component of the system.

19. Past performance: The evaluation factors include past performance, but the RFQ does not appear to specify the number or format of references required. Should offerors submit past performance references for similar microscope/laboratory equipment sales, and if so, how many?

a. No. Offerors are not required to submit past performance references. The Government will evaluate past performance using information available to the Government in accordance with the terms of the solicitation.