26-01524_Microscope Camera SOR Instrument-7-29-2026.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK/ REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT

TITLE: Andor CB2-HS-0.5 Scientific CMOS Camera System Requesting Division: OU 63 – MML / 644 Biosystems and Biomaterials Division Date: July 29, 2026

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The gene therapy manufacturing innovations in measurement sciences (IMS) project, in the Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, aims to develop light scattering microscopy methods to characterize gene delivery particles. Emerging gene therapy treatments use gene delivery nanoparticles, such as viral vectors and non-viral carriers, to cure intractable diseases. These manufactured particles suffer heterogeneity issues that hinder treatment efficacy and safety. This project aims to develop light-scattering microscopy methods to enable rapid, multi-attribute measurements of individual gene therapy nanoparticles’ physical characteristics, speeding the development of new treatments and improving their efficacy and safety.

Essential to this work, the division is building a custom multispectral light scattering imaging system. For our light scattering imaging experiments, we are strictly limited by shot noise and cannot perform frame averaging on rapidly moving particles in solution. To achieve the necessary Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for quantitative imaging, we must maximize the number of photoelectrons counted per area, per frame. We require a true scientific-grade camera (rather than an industrial or machine vision camera) that provides exceptionally low read noise, high linearity, a global shutter to accurately capture fast motion, and the ability to stream uncompressed data directly to a computer.

2. SPECIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall provide one (1) Oxford Instruments Andor CB2-HS-0.5 scientific CMOS camera (or equivalent) that meets the following minimum technical requirements and one (1) set of user operations and maintenance manuals, in either electronic or hardcopy format.

System Requirements:

· Sensor and Resolution:

· The camera must feature a scientific CMOS (sCMOS) front-illuminated sensor with a 0.5 Megapixel resolution (816 x 624).

· The sensor must have a precise pixel size of 9 μm (must fall within the 2 to 20 μm range for microscope compatibility).

· The sensor size must be 7.3 x 5.6 mm (9.2 mm diagonal).

· Imaging Performance and Sensitivity:

· The camera must achieve a combined performance metric (QE*Full Well Capacity * Frame Rate) / (Pixel Area) of at least 2368 ke-/(μm²·s) when evaluated at 550 nm and a 256 x 256 pixel field of view.

· The camera must have a Peak Quantum Efficiency (QE) of at least 74%.

· The camera must provide a minimum pixel well depth (at lowest sensitivity) of 94,000 e-.

· The camera must feature read noise as low as 2.6 e-.

· The camera must utilize a global shutter architecture to prevent distortion of fast-moving particles.

· Speed and Data Transfer:

· The camera must be capable of at least 1594 frames per second for full-frame acquisitions without binning and using an 8-bit readout.

· The camera must support multiple simultaneous Region-of-Interest (ROI) functionality.

· The camera must feature a CoaXPress (CXP) interface (CXP 2.0 or High Speed SFP+ 10 GigE) for real-time, uncompressed data streaming directly to a computer workstation, rather than relying on internal camera memory storage.

· The camera must provide 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit, and 14-bit (HDR mode) digitization outputs.

· Hardware and Cooling:

· The camera must be compatible with active cooling to suppress dark current to at least 1.54 e-/pixel/s (at 20°C).

· The cooling system must be compatible with air cooling to at least - 5°C and water cooling to at least - 40°C.

· The camera must include a standard C-mount for seamless integration with existing microscope optics.

· Service Plan and Technical Support Requirements The Contractor shall provide a 12-month Customer Assurance Service Plan encompassing Priority Support, LiveAssist, and Repairs to commence upon Government acceptance. The service plan must meet the following minimum requirements:

· Repair Coverage: The service plan shall cover all parts and labor for any repairs required during the contract period.

· Repair Turnaround: The Contractor must ensure the repair or replacement of covered goods within 20 Business Days following receipt of the defective item at the manufacturer's designated service repair center.

· Shipping Costs: The manufacturer shall be responsible for the cost of returning repaired goods to the user utilizing a logistics carrier of their choosing.

· Priority Helpdesk: The plan must provide priority helpdesk support to assist with the operation and maintenance of the equipment.

· Response Times: Technical support must categorize issues and adhere to maximum initial response times:

· Priority 1 (Critical): Initial response within 2 Business Days.

· Priority 2 (Major): Initial response within 3 Business Days.

· Priority 3 (Minor): Initial response within 4 Business Days.

· Troubleshooting & Software: Support must include diagnosing routine hardware and software problems, troubleshooting using diagnostic utilities, and providing ongoing access to software corrective content (patching) for the duration of the service plan.

3. DELIVERY TERMS

Delivery shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur within 120 calendar days of award.

F.O.B. Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the order, and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery.

Delivery shall occur during normal business hours, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, with the exception of Federal holidays and shall be made to:

National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive Building/Room Gaithersburg, MD 20899

ATTN:

4. DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE

Description (and Format)

Microscope Camera (Ship to NIST)

set

5. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Formal inspection and acceptance of the system shall be given at the time the Government’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) demonstrates that all performance specifications in this Statement of Requirements have been met, and no later than 30 calendar days from delivery. The NIST COR shall review all deliverables and determine if these criteria are met.

6. PAYMENT TERMS

The Contractor shall be paid, in accordance with Net 30-day payment terms, upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice, in accordance with the following schedule:

The Government anticipates payment after 100% inspection and acceptance by the Government.

NOTE: Partial shipments and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless otherwise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with the offeror’s response to the official solicitation for consideration.