Combined Synopsis-Intramural Microscopes-Revised 8-22-2025.pdf

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Title: National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases Intramural Research Microscopes Purchase

Notice ID: 75N94025Q00180

Posted Date: August 13, 2025

Response Date: August 26, 2025

Product Service Code: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

NAICS Code: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

DESCRIPTION:

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 (Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and

Solicitation for commercial items) as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with

FAR Part 13.5 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for Certain Commercial Products and Services. This announcement constitutes the solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is

75N94025Q00180 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through

Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04 (May 12, 2025). The North American Industry

Classification (NAICS) Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1,000 employees.

This solicitation is NOT set aside for total small businesses.

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

(NICHD) on behalf of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

(NIDDK) intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order through full and open competition to fulfill this requirement.

STATEMENT OF NEED:

1.0 TITLE

National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases Intramural Research Microscopes Purchase.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.

As part of the NIH, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Intramural Research Program (IRP) conducts biomedical research and training related to diabetes mellitus; endocrine, bone, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, including liver diseases and nutritional disorders; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. Intramural research is conducted in the Institute's laboratories and clinical facilities in Bethesda, Maryland and in Phoenix, Arizona.

There are currently 17 Laboratories and Branches (i.e. 17 departments with different focus areas) in the NIDDK IRP. Most if not all these areas of research, either occasionally or on an ongoing basis, require advanced light microscopy methods to qualitatively complement other assays, or as the basis of a quantitative assay.

For over 30 years, confocal microscopy has been the standard for publishing images of fluorescent cells/tissues. The basic idea behind confocal is to eliminate out-of-focus (OOF) light that contaminates an image, by using structured illumination on the sample, and using a matching aperture in the image plane to block the OOF emission.

NIDDK IRP requires 4 new confocal microscopes to replace current microscopes that are over 10 years old. The new microscopes will provide new capabilities resulting from the latest array detector technology, surpassing current imaging capabilities for critical studies, with 3-20x faster speed, and/or with 1.4-2x the resolution and/or with 3-10x the sensitivity.

New microscopes provide access to advanced optical enhancement techniques, enabling exploration of new ways of observing and manipulating light. Additionally, new state of the art microscopes will permit new imaging experiments that were not practical or possible before.

3.0 TYPE OF ORDER

This is a Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order.

4.0 SPECIAL ORDER REQUIREMENTS

4.1 PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The new microscopes shall provide new capabilities resulting from the latest array detector technology, surpassing current imaging capabilities for critical studies, with 3-20x faster speed, and/or with 1.4-2x the resolution, and/or with 3-10x the sensitivity.

4.1.1 LSM 990 (Configuration 1).

The new LSM 980/990 microscope provides access to advanced optical enhancement techniques and must be compatible with Coherent Chameleon laser fit the existing room for confocal system, and the microscope should fit the existing air table.

The new microscope must offer Airyscan super-resolution detection fully integrated with ZEN Blue software, come with a Coherent Chameleon Non-linear optic imaging laser, and must be compatible with the existing live imaging system from IBIDI company.

• LSM 910 scan head with two GaAsP PMTs and one Airyscan 2 detector

• Digital laser module with four laser lines: 405, 488, 561, and 640 nm

• Airyscan 2 module for super-resolution and high-speed multiplex imaging

• The super resolution detector must have 32 detection units capable of detecting 1.25 AU of information for increased sensitivity and resolution at a resolution of 0.2 AU/ detector. The 32-channel array offers flexibility in scanning speed allowing for one pixel at a time, 2 pixels or 4 pixels at a time scanning regime. The multiple pixel scanning approach offers scan speeds up to ~19 fps @ 512x512.

Ideal for increased throughput while maintaining the same improvement in sensitivity.

• Lightfield 4D module with ZEN acquisition and processing software, enabling capture of full volumetric datasets at high temporal resolution. Lightfield 4D module for high-speed volumetric imaging from a single snapshot

• Piezo Z drive with 500 µm travel range for high-speed Z-stack acquisition

• AI Sample Finder for rapid identification and focusing of regions of interest

• High-speed sCMOS overview camera for fast tiling and navigation

• Transmitted DIC optics including motorized condenser and DIC sliders for multiple objectives

• Objectives, including at least:

o Plan-Apochromat 10×/0.45 o Plan-Apochromat 20×/0.8 o C-Apochromat 63x/1.20 W Corr UV-VIS-IR o Plan-Apochromat 40×/1.3 Oil DIC o EC Plan-Neofluar 5x/0.16 WD=18.5 M27.

o 10x objective (NA ≥ 0.45) suitable for high-quality fluorescence overview imaging and Lightfield.

o 20x objective (NA ≥ 0.8) suitable for high-quality fluorescence imaging and Lightfield.

o Long working distance 25x objective for water, oil, glycerol and silicone immersion (NA ≥ 0.8) suitable for high-quality fluorescence imaging and Lightfield o 40x oil immersion objective (NA ≥ 1.3) necessary for high-resolution confocal and super-resolution imaging.

• Fluorescence filters compatible with DAPI, FITC, TRITC, Cy5, and

Cy7 channels

ZEN Blue Software and Imaging Workstation:

• System is operated via ZEN Blue 3.12 platform (Windows 10/11 x64), Zeiss’s flagship imaging environment for confocal, Airyscan, and Lightfield modalities

• Licensed modules include:

o Smart Acquisition and Advanced Acquisition Toolkit for intelligent, flexible imaging workflows o Airyscan 2 and Joint Deconvolution modules for super-resolution and multiplexed high-speed imaging o Toolkit 2D and 3D for advanced image segmentation, quantification, and visualization o ZEN Microscopy Copilot, an AI-based assistant for workflow guidance and efficiency

• ZEN LSM Plus for resolution enhancement in standard confocal data

• The Super Resolution detector must be usable in combination with the other GaAsP detectors in a seamless line switch approach to increase the flexibility of data acquisition of multiple labels.

• The super resolution detector must have 32 detection units capable of detecting 1.25 AU of information for increased sensitivity and resolution at a resolution of 0.2 AU/ detector. The 32 channel array offers flexibility in scanning speed allowing for one pixel at a time, 2 pixels or 4 pixels at a time scanning regime. The multiple pixel scanning approach offers scan speeds up to ~19 fps @ 512x512.

Ideal for increased throughput while maintaining the same improvement in sensitivity.

• Motorized Inverted Microscope Stand:

o Fully motorized stage capable of accommodating multiple sample formats including up to 4 slides at once and multi-well plates.

o Piezo-driven stage insert with high-precision z-axis movement (resolution of at least 1 nm and reproducibility ± 5 nm), required for fast and highly reproducible optical sectioning and z-stack acquisition.

o with motorized 6-position nosepiece and motorized XY scanning stage

• Automated Sample Finding and Focusing:

o Integrated artificial intelligence (AI)-based sample finder for rapid, automated identification and focusing on samples to streamline imaging workflow.

• Rapid Volume Acquisition Detector:

o Must include Lightfield 4D, featuring a 37 Multiarray lens and a high speed sCMOS camera, offering a complete 3D volume in a single snap. No Z stack acquisition is required, offering increased throughput and reduced photobleaching. Ideal for high throughput of large sample with no wavelength restriction, with a 405 to 735 nm excitation range.

• Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) and Transmitted Light

Imaging:

o Equipped with a transmitted light detector capable of capturing DIC images, essential for visualization of unstained tissue morphology alongside fluorescence signals.

▪ Axio Observer 7 NLO RP m/DF3 f/LSM 990

• Laser Sources:

o Integrated solid-state diode lasers with multiple excitation wavelengths (405 nm, 488 nm, 514, 561 nm, and 640 nm) to enable versatile fluorescent dye usage and multiplex imaging capability.

• Vibration Isolation and Stability:

o High-performance air table vibration isolation system necessary for maintaining optical stability and precision during high-resolution imaging.

▪ Ship to:

The National Institutes of Health, NIDDK, Building 50, 50 South drive, Microscope room # 3233, Bethesda Maryland 20892.

The following Project Officer(s) will represent the Government for the purpose of this Purchase Order:

Project Officer: Minoo Shakoury-Elizeh Alternate Project Officer: Boris Baibakov

▪ Training:

Training will be provided by the vendor to up to two individuals chosen by NIDDK

4.1.2 LSM 910 Confocal Microscope System with Lightfield 4D Imaging Module and AI-Guided Automation (Configuration 2).

The new microscope must offer Airyscan super-resolution detection fully integrated with ZEN Blue software.

• LSM 910 scan head with two GaAsP PMTs and one Airyscan 2 detector

• Digital laser module with four laser lines: 405, 488, 561, and 640 nm

• Airyscan 2 module for super-resolution and high-speed multiplex imaging

• Lightfield 4D module with ZEN acquisition and processing software, enabling capture of full volumetric datasets at high temporal resolution

• Inverted Axio Observer 7 stand with motorized 6-position nosepiece and motorized XY scanning stage

• Piezo Z drive with 500 µm travel range for high-speed Z-stack acquisition

• AI Sample Finder for rapid identification and focusing of regions of interest

• High-speed sCMOS overview camera for fast tiling and navigation

• Transmitted DIC optics including motorized condenser and DIC sliders for multiple objectives

• Objectives:

o Plan-Apochromat 10×/0.45 o Plan-Apochromat 20×/0.8 o LD LCI Plan-Apochromat 25×/0.8 Imm Corr o Plan-Apochromat 40×/1.3 Oil DIC

• Fluorescence filters compatible with DAPI, FITC, TRITC, Cy5, and

Cy7 channels

ZEN Blue Software and Imaging Workstation:

• System is operated via ZEN Blue 3.12 platform (Windows 10/11 x64), Zeiss’s flagship imaging environment for confocal, Airyscan, and Lightfield modalities

• Licensed modules include:

o Smart Acquisition and Advanced Acquisition Toolkit for intelligent, flexible imaging workflows o Airyscan 2 and Joint Deconvolution modules for super-resolution and multiplexed high-speed imaging o Lightfield 4D module for high-speed volumetric imaging from a single snapshot o Toolkit 2D and 3D for advanced image segmentation, quantification, and visualization o ZEN Microscopy Copilot, an AI-based assistant for workflow guidance and efficiency o ZEN LSM Plus for resolution enhancement in standard confocal data

• Delivered with a high-performance HP Z8 G5 workstation featuring

20 TB RAID storage, 8 TB SSD, NVIDIA RTX A5000 GPU, and 4K monitor, optimized for processing large microscopy datasets

4.1.2.1 Ship to:

NIH, NIDDK, Genetics and Biochemistry Branch Building 10, Room 10S210 Bethesda, MD 20892

Delivery must occur within 90 days of the purchase order award, unless otherwise coordinated. Installation and performance verification must be completed by certified Zeiss personnel.

4.1.2.2 Training:

On-site training for up to four users must be provided within 5 business days of installation. Training will cover hardware operation, ZEN Blue software, Lightfield 4D workflows, and maintenance procedures.

4.1.3 LSM 910 (Configuration 3).

Purchase of a SPS-ISM (single-point scanning with Image Scanning Microscopy) confocal for LCMB, managed by the NIDDK ALMIAC and shared with NIDDK Building 8 labs, would bring much needed light microscopy capability to that building’s researchers. Researchers could image their specimens 3-20x faster, and/or with 1.4-2x the resolution, and/or with 3-10x the sensitivity. Some types of imaging experiments will be easily accessible to them that were not practical or possible before.

single-point-scanning confocal microscope with an array detector utilized for ISM (Image Scanning Microscopy), with the following characteristics:

The microscope must:

• Provide darkfield overview image of a multiwell plate on the microscope stage in ~1 minute, with subsequent automatic software determinations (e.g. through AI) of the sample holder type, sample boundaries in xy, and focus; to increase workflow efficiency of the user finding their samples on the sample holder and defining the imaging areas for higher resolution imaging.

• Provide capability of resolution down to at least 80nm in xy and 200nm in z, as measured from FWHM (Full Width Half Max) of fluorescent beads excited by 488nm laser.

• Provide capability to perform Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) experiments, where laser beam can be “parked” in an arbitrary location in the field of view, and the recorded detector signal can be used to measure fluorescent probe mobility via the auto-correlation function.

Support - Applications specialists and service engineers shall be:

• Experienced and readily available to handle questions and problems

• Trained by the manufacturer(s) of the microscope and the scanner.

• Located at the NIH Bethesda campus at least 3 days/week

Motorized Inverted Microscope

• Computer-controlled motorization of lenses, filters, condenser, shutters, focus, stage, and light paths to ports. Required for robust reproducibility of experiments.

• Hardware-based auto-focus mechanism using infrared light. Required for keeping focus for live samples over time.

• LED-based computer-controlled light sources for transmitted light and widefield fluorescence viewing through the eyepieces and to the camera port.

• Quick overview image of entire sample at low mag in widefield fluorescence or transmitted light

• Toolless accommodation of multi-well plates and 1”x3” slides, and adaptable to other sample holders no bigger than multi-well plate

• Filter cube(s) in the microscope for eye-viewing, with minimal-background band-pass emission filters, for: DAPI; GFP; Alexa Fluor 555 and/or Alexa Fluor 594

• Two imaging ports: one for confocal scanner and one for camera

Objective Lenses

• Plan Apo 60x or 63x oil with NA=1.4 or greater

• Plan Apo 40x multi-immersion with NA=1.2 or greater

• Plan Apo 20x air with NA=0.8 or greater

• Plan Apo 10x air with NA=0.45 or greater

• Low mag lens in the range 2x-5x, for quick overview scans which are used for navigation.

Cage-style microscope incubator for temperature+CO2 control of sample

• Provides suitable environment for observing live samples over 24 hours or more.

• Improves imaging stability by keeping microscope isolated from room air currents

Confocal-ISM scanner

• Lasers: standard 4-color configuration, i.e. 405/488/561/640 nm

• Single-point-scanning of the sample focal plane in xy, up to at least

20mm FOV on diagonal (2mm diagonal on image collected with 10x lens)

• Continuously adjustable confocal pinhole size from completely open down to no larger than 0.2 Airy Units for all objectives lenses.

• Multiple scan speeds available, the fastest being (512x512 pixels) at least 13 fps in confocal mode; and at least 25 fps in ISM mode

• Maximum number of pixels in one field is at least 8000x8000 pixels

• At least 4 simultaneous detection channels that can acquire images simultaneously in confocal mode, all with sensitivity at least as good as GaAsP (45% QE or greater at 520nm).

• At least one array detector used for Image Scanning Microscopy (ISM), capable of resolution down to 80nm in xy and 200nm in z (or smaller in each case, measured with 488nm excitation)

• Simple, guided auto-alignment of the ISM detector on the point spread function

• Spectrally adjustable emission filtering for each detector channel, optimizable for a wide variety of fluorescent probes when using the standard 4 lasers above for excitation, e.g.: DAPI, GFP, Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 555, Alexa Fluor 594, Alexa Fluor 647, TagRFP, mCherry.

Software

• Noise-reduction of images, via denoising or quick deconvolution inside the acquisition software, to quickly eliminate noise without blurring the image.

• Capability to save all the channels from the ISM array detector, for further post-processing.

• When using ISM detector, Sheppard summing can be done during acquisition in real-time.

• For ISM images, deconvolution on the array data can be performed at the microscope computer or later on a separate workstation computer.

4.1.3.1 Ship to:

NIHBC 08 BG RM B123

8 CENTER DR

Bethesda, MD 20892

• Order items will be shipped ahead of scheduling installation, in bulk shipments to the greatest extent possible.

• Whenever a shipment has been shipped, the Vendor will communicate via email to the PO and alternate PO, with tracking number(s).

• Once all items have arrived, the Vendor will communicate via email to the PO and alternate PO to schedule installation at mutually agreeable dates.

• Partial installations are not allowed, except under unusual circumstances, with approval of the Government.

• Vendor shall provide, after installation, an Installation Report to the PO detailing the meeting of all technical requirements of the order, and of all specifications from product literature.

• The Project Officer will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided. Inspection and acceptance will be done AFTER all materials are unpacked, installed, test run for operation, and Installation Report produced.

• Acceptance and Delivery will be complete once the signed packing slip is provided to the Vendor. Receiving will be completed no later than 7 days following date of Delivery.

4.1.3.2 Training:

Two days of on-site training, for up to four users, must be provided within 5 business days of installation. Training shall cover hardware operation, software operation, and maintenance procedures.

4.1.4 LSM 990 (Configuration 4).

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

Purchase of a SPS-ISM (single-point scanning with Image Scanning Microscopy) confocal for LDB, managed by the NIDDK ALMIAC and shared with all NIDDK Building 10 labs, would bring much needed light microscopy capability to that building’s researchers. Researchers could image their specimens 3-20x faster, and/or with 1.4-2x the resolution, and/or with 3-10x the sensitivity. Some types of imaging experiments will be easily accessible to them that were not practical or possible before.

The microscope must:

• Provide darkfield overview image of the microscope stage, with subsequent automatic software determinations (e.g. through AI) of the sample holder type, sample boundaries in xy, and focus; to increase workflow efficiency of the user finding their samples on the sample holder and defining the imaging areas for higher resolution imaging.

• Provide capability of resolution down to at least 80nm in xy and 200nm in z, as measured from FWHM (Full Width Half Max) of fluorescent beads excited by 488nm laser.

Support - Applications specialists and service engineers shall be:

• Experienced and readily available to handle questions and problems

• Trained by the manufacturer(s) of the microscope and the scanner.

• Located at the NIH Bethesda campus at least 3 days/week

Motorized Inverted Microscope

• Computer-controlled motorization of lenses, filters, condenser, shutters, focus, stage, and light paths to ports. Required for robust reproducibility of experiments.

• Hardware-based auto-focus mechanism using infrared light. Required for keeping focus for live samples over time.

• LED-based computer-controlled light sources for transmitted light and widefield fluorescence viewing through the eyepieces and to the camera port.

• Quick overview image of entire sample at low mag in widefield fluorescence or transmitted light

• Toolless accommodation of multi-well plates and 1”x3” slides, and adaptable to other sample holders no bigger than multi-well plate

• Filter cubes in the microscope for eye-viewing, with minimal-background band-pass emission filters, for: DAPI; GFP; Alexa Fluor 555 and Alexa Fluor 594

• Two imaging ports: one for confocal scanner and one for camera

Objective Lenses

• Plan Apo 60x or 63x oil with NA=1.4 or greater

• Plan Apo 40x multi-immersion with NA=1.2 or greater

• Plan Apo 20x air with NA=0.8 or greater

• Plan Apo 10x air with NA=0.45 or greater

• Low mag lens in the range 2x-5x, for quick overview scans which are used for navigation.

Cage-style microscope incubator for temperature+CO2 control of sample

• Provides suitable environment for observing live samples over 24 hours or more.

• Improves imaging stability by keeping microscope isolated from room air currents

Confocal-ISM scanner

• Lasers: standard 4-color configuration, i.e. 405/488/561/640 nm

• Single-point-scanning of the sample focal plane in xy, up to at least

20mm FOV on diagonal (2mm diagonal on image collected with 10x lens)

• Continuously adjustable confocal pinhole size from completely open down to no larger than 0.2 Airy Units for all objectives lenses.

• Multiple scan speeds available, the fastest being (512x512 pixels) at least 13 fps in confocal mode; and at least 25 fps in ISM mode

• Maximum number of pixels in one field is at least 8000x8000 pixels

• At least 4 simultaneous detection channels that can acquire images simultaneously in confocal mode, all with sensitivity at least as good as GaAsP (45% QE or greater at 520nm).

• At least one array detector used for Image Scanning Microscopy (ISM), capable of resolution down to 80nm in xy and 200nm in z (or smaller in each case, measured with 488nm excitation)

• Simple, guided auto-alignment of the ISM detector on the point spread function

• Spectrally adjustable emission filtering for each detector channel, optimizable for a wide variety of fluorescent probes when using the standard 4 lasers above for excitation, e.g.: DAPI, GFP, Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 555, Alexa Fluor 594, Alexa Fluor 647, TagRFP, mCherry.

Software

• Noise-reduction of images, via denoising or quick deconvolution inside the acquisition software, to quickly eliminate noise without blurring the image.

• Capability to save all the channels from the ISM array detector, for further post-processing.

• When using ISM detector, Sheppard summing can be done during acquisition in real-time.

• For ISM images, deconvolution on the array data can be performed at the microscope computer or later on a separate workstation computer.

4.1.4.1 Ship to:

NIHBC 10 - CLINICAL CENTER, Room S250i 10 Center Dr Bethesda, MD 20892

• Order items will be shipped ahead of scheduling installation, in bulk shipments to the greatest extent possible.

• Whenever a shipment has been shipped, the Vendor will communicate via email to the PO and alternate PO, with tracking number(s).

• Once all items have arrived, the Vendor will communicate via email to the PO and alternate PO to schedule installation at mutually agreeable dates.

• Partial installations are not allowed, except under unusual circumstances, with approval of the Government.

• Vendor shall provide, after installation, an Installation Report to the PO detailing the meeting of all technical requirements of the order, and of all specifications from product literature.

• The Project Officer will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided. Inspection and acceptance will be done AFTER all materials are unpacked, installed, test run for operation, and Installation Report produced.

• The Project Officer, Alternate Project Officer, or the Project Officer Supervisor will inspect delivery, installation, and/or testing to ensure the products provided conform with contract requirements. Invoices will be reviewed and approved by the program officer and or the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

4.1.4.2 Training: Two days of on-site training, for up to four users, must be provided within 5 business days of installation.

Training shall cover hardware operation, software operation, and maintenance procedures.

The provisions and clauses incorporated in this solicitation document are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-05 effective 08/07/2025. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12, and FAR Part 13.

The following FAR Clauses are applicable to this solicitation:

Responses shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and

Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services [(DEVIATION FEB 2025)].

Note: The Offeror shall 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 shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Note: NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions are added as an addendum to this clause. See Attachment 2 - NIH Invoice and Payment Provisions.

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services [(DEVIATION FEB 2025)], applies to this acquisition and is attached in full text. See Attachment 3 - FAR 52.212-5

(JAN 2025) [(DEVIATION FEB 2025)].

Additional Clauses:

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment

FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation

FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management.

FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance

HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic submission of payment requests

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) – CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE:

Clause No. Title

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

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

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

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

FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (MAY 2024)

[(DEVIATION FEB 2025)]

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions- Commercial Products and Services (NOV 2023)

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (JAN 2025) [DEVIATION FEB 2025)] http://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION REGULATION (HHSAR) – CLAUSES

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Clause No. Title

HHSAR 352.203-70 Anti-Lobbying (DEC 2015)

(END OF CONTRACT CLAUSES)

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021)

The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on

Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or

Equipment.

(b) Prohibition.(1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

(d) Representation. The Offeror represents that—

(1) It will, ☐ will ☐ not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the

Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds "will" in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that—

It ☐ does, ☐ does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Offeror responds "does" in paragraph (d)(2) of this http://www.sam.gov/ section.

(e) Disclosures.

(1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "will" in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known).

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand;

model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number;

and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "does" in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known).

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand;

model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number;

and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(End of provision)

52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (OCT

2020).

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" and "reasonable inquiry" have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204- 25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

(c)

(1) Representation. The Offeror represents that it □ does, □ does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument.

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry for purposes of this representation, the offeror represents that it □ does, □ does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.

http://www.sam.gov/

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

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with 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 offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) – PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE:

Provision No. Title

FAR 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require

Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements- Representation (JAN 2017)

FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (NOV 2024) FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020) FAR 52.204-22 Alternative Line Item Proposal (JAN 2017) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and

Commercial Services (SEP 2023) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and

Commercial Services (MAY 2024)

(END OF PROVISIONS)

BASIS FOR AWARD AND EVALUATION

Evaluation of quotes will be conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 (b)(3) procedures.

The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Priced Purchase Order from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror using Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procedures.

The Government may reject any quote that is evaluated to be non-compliant with the solicitation requirements, unreasonably high or low in price, or reflects a failure to http://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far comprehend the complexity and risks of the work to be performed. The Government intends to make award selection without clarifications but may determine after evaluating the quotes submitted that clarifications are necessary and conduct them as appropriate with all, some, or none of the firms’ submitting quotations in response to this RFQ. The

Government reserves the right to make no award if quotes do not meet the requirements of this solicitation.

Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote is responsive to the solicitation, technically acceptable, and has the lowest evaluated price among all proposals meeting or exceeding the specified technical acceptability standards.

Award will be made to the contractor providing the most advantageous quote to the government, technical factors and cost/price considered.

All Vendors will be evaluated on their capabilities to provide the product to the specifications described on the Statement of Needs section.

SUBMISSION & GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) does not commit the Government to pay any cost for preparation and submission of a quote. In addition, the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this proposed acquisition. By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation, it is understood that your firm’s quote shall become a part of the official contract file. The Government is not responsible for locating or securing any information which is not identified in the quote.

Quotes must contain a statement to the effect that the offer is valid for a period of at least

30 days from the date of receipt by the Government.

Quote submittal must also include the following:

• All submittals must include a completed FAR Provision 52.204-24, 52.204-26 and

52.213-3 unless already completed in the System for Award Management (SAM). If already provided in the vendors SAM.gov profile, and do not conflict with the requirements as stated in this solicitation, please provide a statement to the effect of

“Provisions 52.204-24, 52.204-26 and 52.213-3 are complete and accurate per our

SAM.gov registration dated 00/00/0000.

• All attachments must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Portable Format (PDF).

• All correspondence must have Notice ID “75N94025Q00180” included in the subject line.

QUOTATION SUBMITTAL

Quotations submitted in response to this solicitation must be submitted via email no later than Tuesday, August 26, 2025, by 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time to the point of contact listed below:

Name: Usha Raman Contracting Officer Email: ramanu2@mail.nih.gov

Note: It’s the Offeror’s responsibility to read the RFQ and all related documents carefully.

Additionally, it is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure/verify the Government receives its submission on or before the date/time specified. The Government reserves the right to not accept any late quotes. Please do not wait until the deadline to submit your quotation.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1 – Visit NIH Vendor Memo

Attachment 2 – NIH Invoicing Instructions with IPP (MAR 2023)

Attachment 3 – FAR 52.212-5 (JAN 2025) [(DEVIATION FEB 2025)] mailto:ramanu2@mail.nih.gov