Attachment 1-Purchase Description.pdf

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose

The Sections on Cells, Synapses, and Molecular Signaling (CSMS) and Genetics of

Neuronal Signaling (GNS) require a benchtop confocal microscopy system equipped with brightfield and differential phase contrast (DPC) transmitted white light illumination, widefield epifluorescence for low-light imaging, and multipoint confocal for fast high-contrast 2D & 3D imaging. The system must include built-in vibration control and be suitable for imaging both fixed and live neural tissue.

2. Background Information and Objective

The CSMS and GNS study fundamental issues of mitochondrial function and mobility, neuromodulation, neuronal excitability, synaptic signaling, and neurodevelopment using animal models (principally, the mouse). A major line of research employs fluorescence imaging from both fixed and live neural tissue. This research requires a benchtop confocal system with brightfield and differential phase contrast (DPC) transmitted white light illumination, widefield epifluorescence for low-light imaging, and multipoint confocal for fast high-contrast 2D & 3D imaging. The system must be suitable for imaging both fixed and live neural tissue and include built-in vibration control (other pieces of equipment will be positioned on the same bench), a CO2 incubation system with an objective heater, a selection of objectives (20x to 100x) with high numerical apertures, and a computer workstation with integrated software for image acquisition and analysis.

3. Generic Name of Product

Benchtop confocal microscopy system

4. Salient Characteristics

The confocal microscopy system shall have these characteristics:

1. Benchtop size. The microscope unit shall fit in a volume no larger than 20” x 25” x

20” (W x D x H).

2. Benchtop design. (A) Built-in vibration control that allows the microscope unit to be positioned on a standard laboratory bench rather than an optical or air table. (B)

Light-tight lid obviating the need for a dark room or other low ambient light room.

3. Three imaging modalities: (A) microlens-based spinning-disk confocal, (B) widefield epifluorescence, and (C) brightfield in a single benchtop device. The confocal and widefield modalities shall utilize the same excitation light source.

4. The microlens-based spinning disk multi-point confocal shall include: (A) Borealis

Illumination, to ensure optimal illumination uniformity when capturing tiled and stitched images of large samples, minimizing objective dependent dark edge effects at field boundaries to produce a seamless single large image. (B) Microlenses to improve light throughput.

5. Laser excitation wavelengths of 405 nm, 488 nm, 561 nm and 638 nm, and emission filters for commonly used fluorophores, including DAPI, GFP, mCherry, CY5.

6. Scientific CMOS camera with 4 MP (6.5 μm pixels, 16-bit), up to 82% quantum efficiency, and a diagonal of >18 mm.

7. Focus-Seek-and-Lock methodology to aid sample focus and to retain focus during time-lapse experiments.

8. Fast imaging acquisition in both confocal and widefield mode. With an exposure time of 10 ms, the maximum full-frame (4 MP) acquisition rate shall be approximately 15 fps. Limiting acquisition to a 512 x 512-pixel sensor area shall increase the maximum rate to at least 40 fps.

9. Two transmitted light options. (A) Brightfield for samples with inherent contrast like larger organisms. (B) Differential Phase Contrast (DPC), that can be applied for samples which deliver high and low contrast.

10. Microscope objectives. (A) 20x Plan Apochromat Lambda D objective, 0.8 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.8 mm. (B) 40x Plan Apochromat Lambda S silicone oil immersion objective, 1.25 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.3 mm. (C) 60x

Plan Apochromat Lambda D oil immersion objective, 1.42 numerical aperture.

Working distance 0.15 mm. (D) 100x Plan Apochromat Lambda D oil immersion objective, 1.45 numerical aperture. Working distance 0.13 mm.

11. Stage-top incubator with humidity module and digitally controlled CO2 regulation using a pure CO2 source. Shall include a sample holder for glass-bottomed multi-well plates, and one that holds a 3” chamber slide and two 35 mm Petri-dishes. Shall include an objective heater.

12. Suitable for imaging of both fixed and live neural tissue, including cell cultures and brain slices.

13. Computer workstation. The workstation that controls the system shall meet these minimum requirements: Windows 10 operating system, 10 Core, 18 M Cache, 2.8

GHz; 64 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD Boot drive, 8 GB Graphics card, 2 TB data storage.

14. Software. Acquisition and analysis software suitable for studying the structure of neurons or other filamentous objects as well as their dynamics. The software shall make possible real-time 3D image rendering where each optical slice of a volume being captured renders during the acquisition.

5. Compatibility Requirements

The CSMS and GNS use Imaris software extensively. The system, in both the acquisition and analysis phases, shall allow seamless integration with the Imaris suite.

6. Quantity

One (1) system

7. Warranty

The Contractor shall warrant that the Equipment will be free from defects for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of installation, inspection, and acceptance by the Government.

The Contractor must have a dedicated service team. This service team should be able to exchange faulty items with their service stock within a week of the user’s equipment fault.

8. Delivery, Installation, and Training Requirements

The Contractor shall provide an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified service technician to perform setup, installation, and an on-site training session for staff members.

The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment within 90 days after receipt of order.

Delivery must be Freight on Board (FOB) Destination and include inside delivery. The equipment shall be delivered and installed in coordination with the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR).

The Contractor shall deliver and install the required equipment to laboratory space in

Building 35A. The equipment shall be delivered and installed between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Bethesda, MD local prevailing time, Monday through Friday.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Building 35A/ Rm 3BC-108

35A Convent Dr

Bethesda, MD 20892

On-site training must take place within two (2) weeks of equipment installation. The

Contractor must provide training for at least four (4) users on the system. This shall include:

• Unpacking, assembly, and full build of the manufactured products and produced software.

• Installation of the optical components, cameras and light sources onto the microscope and alignment where suitable.

• Full product training on all products as part of the installation.

• An overview of the operation of the entire system and the supplied software.

• Guidance and advice on the installation of any third party (non-manufactured) products supplied by the Contractor.