36C24925Q0384.docx

SUBJECT*

Brand Name Or Equal, CXK53 Microscope with specialized components and supporting devices

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 9 (90C)

NCO 9

1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 204 Murfreesboro TN 37129

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Jonathan Headrick jonathan.headrick@va.gov 423-979-1409 ext 1409

RESPONSES ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL ONLY

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Vanderbilt University

Medical Research Building IV 8435

2213 Garland Ave

Nashville TN

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

All interested companies shall provide Brand Name Or Equal quotations for the following:

Supplies/Services

P/N: CKX53F3

P/N:1-U2PC5222

P/N: CACHN10XIPC-1-7

P/N: 1-U2PC145

P/N: 1-U2PC147

P/N: 9-U210

P/N: 45ND25-1-2

P/N: U-IL200

P/N: 4-LC106

P/N: OMT-010-B

P/N: UYCP-11

P/N: 5-UR196

P/N: OEX-01000479RBX-g

P/N: OCT-49025BX3

P/N: DP28-CU-1-2

P/N: CS-ST-V4.3-EL

P/N: U-V163C28

Brand Name or Equal (“Salient Characteristics”) Item:

Olympus CKX53 Microscope OR EQUAL with specialized components and supporting devices

1) Essential/significant physical, functional, or performance characteristics.

Salient characteristics are those characteristics that make an item equal to the brand name item we specify. Specifically, salient characteristics are those characteristics of the brand name item that the VA needs.

Salient Characteristics Dimensions: The microscope footprint needs to be within 300 mm (W) x 600 mm (D) x 500 mm (H).

Weight: Must be under 20 pounds for easy transfer between the laboratory bench and a biosafety cabinet.

The Microscope Must:

· Be able to view samples from 6 micrometers (cells) to 190 mm in height (certain sample container configurations).

· Have a sliding pad at the base.

· Have a UV-resistant coating to protect it from light sterilization in a biosafety cabinet.

The Optical System Must:

· Be a Universal Infinity-corrected system.

· Not have loss of any light information to the eyepiece and camera.

Focus Requirements:

· A revolving nosepiece with at least four positions for 4X, 10X, 20X, and 40X objectives.

· A vertical movement system using coarse and fine focusing knobs.

· A stroke value (total distance the of the focus mechanism can travel) of at least 20 mm.

· A maximum focal point of no more than 20 mm from the surface of the stage.

The Stage:

· Must be at least 200 mm long and 252 mm wide.

The White Light Illumination System Requirements are:

· A 4,000 Kelvin LED lamp light source.

· Clear and uniform lighting over a visual field of at least 22 mm in diameter.

· A fixed color profile independent of brightness.

· An LED lifetime of at least 60, 000 hours.

· A manual open/close aperture diaphragm.

The Fluorescent System Must:

· Have a hands-free, foot pedal operation option.

· Be mercury-free.

· Have at least a 15,000-hour warranty.

· Have an alternating current between 100-240 Volts with a frequency of 50 or 60 Hertz and a current between 1.2 - 2.4 Amps.

· Have an excitation / emission wavelength range of 360-700 nm.

· Have Control options that include speedDIAL software and RS-232 commands.

· Have transistor-transistor logic and USB inputs.

· Have a fluorescence controller no larger than 200mm (W) x 150mm (H) x 230mm (D).

· Have an adjustable Umbra Shield to block ambient light and enhance contrast when viewing fluorescent samples in the open laboratory space or in a biosafety cabinet.

The Eyepiece Needs:

· A 10X magnification.

· A Field Number of at least 22 mm (the diameter of the area visible through the eyepiece).

· A reticle at least 10 mm long with scale marks every 0.1 mm.

The Condenser Must:

· Have a maximum numerical aperture of 0.3.

· Have a working distance from at least 70 mm to 190 mm.

The Observation Tube Must:

· Be a fixed, trinocular tube.

· Be angled at 45 degrees for sample observation when standing or when seated.

· Be no longer than 13 inches to facilitate sample manipulation and focusing.

· Have an interpupillary distance ranging from at least 48 mm up to 75 mm.

Objectives Specifications are:

· All objectives must have a common condenser annulus.

· The 4X objective must have a Field of View of at least 5.5 mm, a numerical aperture of 0.13, and a working distance of at least 16.4 mm.

· The 10X objective must be achromatic with a maximum Field of View of 2.2 mm, a numerical aperture of 0.25, and a working distance of at least 8.8 mm.

· The 20X objective must be achromatic with a maximum Field of View of 1.1 mm, a numerical aperture of 0.4, and a working distance of at least 3.2 mm.

· The 40X objective must be achromatic with a maximum Field of View of 0.55 mm, a numerical aperture of 0.55, and a working distance of 2.2 mm.

Observation Modalities Must:

· Have Brightfield and Darkfield capabilities.

· Have an Integrated Phase Contrast System using 4X, 10X, 20X, and 40X objectives for simple and fast sample observation without needing to change or re-center the ring slit.

· Have Inversion Contrast Technique for detailed imaging of three-dimensional samples or intracellular structures of any shape or transparency, with no halos or directional shadows.

· Be compatible with fluorescent excitation / emission between 360–700 nm.

Specimen Holder Requirements:

· The microscope must accommodate holders for samples in various vessels including petri dishes, microplates, and flasks.

· It must accommodate an insert that holds three 35 mm cell culture dishes simultaneously.

· It is compatible with a Terasaki plate holder.

· The microscope can accommodate slide glasses.

Software: Must be compatible with cellSENS Dimension software that is currently available to the laboratory. This is a versatile, automated image acquisition software that also provides powerful analysis tools.

The Camera Must:

· Be integrated with the microscope to minimize loss of light information.

· Have a parfocal lens.

· Have a 0.63x lens.

· Be able to take images at a resolution of at least 4000 x 2000 pixels.

· Be able to take images of at least 8 megapixels in size.

· Have a maximal pixel size below 4 micrometers x 4 micrometers.

· Be able to capture and display high definition, live images at a minimum of 60 frames per second.

· Have exposure times from at least 0.020 milliseconds to a minimum of 10 seconds.

· Have manual and automatic exposure modes.

· Have exposure adjustments in no larger than 1/6 steps.

· Be compatible with fluorescent wavelengths from 360-700 nm.

· Have a Global Shutter.

· Have a Fast Live function.

· Be compatible with a Field Number between 24-27 mm; Field Number refers to the diameter of the area seen through the eyepiece.

· Have a dedicated color profile in line with the standards of the International Color Consortium (a.k.a. an ICC profile) that ensures repeatable and natural color profiles of the highest quality.

· Be able to perform 2x2 binning.

· Be compatible with the cellSENS software currently available to the laboratory.

Warranty:

· Must include at least a 5-year warranty on mechanics and optics.

· Must include at a 1-year warranty on electronics.

Delivery Schedule:

Purchase order/contract delivery date shall be no more than 60 days after receipt of order (ARO) unless items were previously identified on backorder. Delivery Term is FOB Destination.

Place of Performance/Place of Delivery TVHS Research and Development, Vanderbilt University, Medical Research Building IV 8435, 2213 Garland Ave. Nashville, TN 37232. Mark all packages for Katie C. Coate, 615-545-3562, kathryn.coate@vanderbilt.edu.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

I. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sep 2023) ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023) The version of FAR 52.212-1 in the addendum is tailored for Simplified Acquisition Procedures and supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212-1 contained in the FAR.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/index.asp

FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

· FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020)

· FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999)

· FAR 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate (OCT 2022)

· VAAR 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of interest (OCT 2020)

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1(b) Submission of Offers:

In addition to submission standards of FAR 52.212-1(b), all offerors must submit the following:

(1) If offering an “or equal” to the brand used as the basis for this requirement, see FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999).

(2) Read and respond to all provisions incorporated by reference.

(3) Statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."

OR

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

Quoters must list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any.

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1(b)(8):

The Offeror must complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov.

If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror must complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

(End of Addendum to 52.212-1)

II. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors listed will be used to evaluate offers:

1. Product Technical Specs

2. Price

3. Speed of Delivery

4. Warranty terms of products and service

(b) Options. Not applicable.

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

III. FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) Attention Offeror: www.sam.gov registration must be complete at time of submission of response.

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

I. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023). No addenda to FAR 52.212-4.

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Clauses that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

The following clauses are incorporated into 52.212-4 as an addendum to this contract:

· FAR 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023)

· FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020)

· VAAR 852.203-70 Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018)

· VAAR 852.215-70 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors (Deviation) (JAN 2023)

· VAAR 852.215-71 Evaluation Factor Commitments (OCT 2019)

· VAAR 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018)

· VAAR 852.242-71 Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020)

· VAAR 852.246-71 Rejected Goods (OCT 2018)

· VAAR 852.247-73 Packing for Domestic Shipment (OCT 2018)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4) II. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024)

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

(b) (5) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note.)

(9) 52.204–27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023)(Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117–328).

(11)(i) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Prohibition (DEC 2023)(Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

(12) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Nov 2021)

(16) 52.219–4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

(26) (i) 52.219–28, Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

(30) 52.219–33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

(32) 52.222-19, Child Labor- Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2024) (E.O. 13126).

(36)(i) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020)(29 U.S.C. 793).

(39)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(46) 52.223-23, Sustainable Products and Services (MAY 2024) (E.O. 14057, 7 U.S.C. 8102, 42 U.S.C. 6962, 42 U.S.C. 8259b, and 42 U.S.C. 7671I).

(48)(i) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (OCT 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

(51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

(55) 52.223–18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513)

(59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(63) 52.240–1, Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act—Covered Foreign Entities (NOV 2024) (Sections 1821–1826, Pub. L. 118–31, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.).

(End of Clause)

BASIS FOR AWARD: Award will be based upon offerors compliance and response to the instruction, evaluation, and certification submissions asked for in this solicitation considering price and other factors. If two or more quotes are received, a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13.106 will be done. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on the decision factors given below resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable – i.e., Best Value- to the Government. Responses should contain your best terms, conditions.

Submission of your response shall be received not later than the response due date and time given and to the point of contact on the notice or subsequent amendments. Only email for submission of quotes, offers, or bids will be accepted.

Submission of your response shall be received no later than 08/04/2025 9:00 AM EST at jonathan.headrick@va.gov. Response will be accepted via email only.

Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).

Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via email to the Point of Contact listed on the cover/summary page of the notice no later than 9:00 AM EST 7/30/2025. Questions submitted after that period will not be entertained

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04, effective 6/11/2025 This solicitation is Full and Open Competition The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 333310, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The FSC/PSC is 6640.

TVHS Research and Development located at Vanderbilt University Medical Research Building IV 8435, 2213 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN 37232 is seeking to purchase Brand Name Or Equal, CXK53 Microscope with specialized components and supporting devices.

Questions will be accepted until NLT 7/30/2025 9:00 AM EST.

Responses due NLT 8/04/2025 9:00 AM EST.

Responses and Questions accepted via email only to jonathan.headrick@va.gov See attached document: FAR 52.225-1_2- BUY AMERICAN-SUPPLIES.

See attached document: FAR_RepsCerts-ConfirmationStatement.

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