B Sources Sought Notice.pdf

SAM.gov

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: 75N95024Q00405

2. Title: Automated Slide Scanner

3. Classification Code:

4. NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

5. Size Standard: 1,000 employees

6. Description:

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is seeking Capability Statements from Small Business organizations under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516, that are vendors of Automated Slide Scanner.

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule).

Background: The NINDS is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducting research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.

Research in the Cellular Neurophysiology Section (CNS) in NINDS focuses on circuit and cellular properties of dopaminergic neurons located in the midbrain. We are interested in the physiology of a subset of dopamine neuron located in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) that undergo selective cell death in Parkinson’s patients.

Specifically, we are interested in understanding how synaptic and intrinsic conductances differ among subpopulations dopamine neurons with the hope that this may provide insight to why SNc dopamine neurons are particularly vulnerable in Parkinson’s disease.

Our goal is to identify novel physiological and genetic markers in single SNc dopamine neurons which may be useful in defining subpopulations of these neurons in a meaningful way.

Purpose and Objectives: The Cellular Neurophysiology Section (CNS) requires microscopy to analyze mouse brain sections. The automated slide scanner allows CNS lab members to image up to 6 slides at a time with minimal human hours; maybe 15-20 minutes of initial setup, then the entire slide will be imaged overnight. Using a traditional microscope, it would take one of the CNS lab members ~1 full day to image all of the brain sections on 1 slide. With an automated slide scanner, 6 slides can be imaged overnight, and the decrease in time at the microscope allows lab members to be more efficient with their projects. Thus, the automated slide scanner will significantly increase the CNS’s productivity.

Project requirements: One (1) slide scanner along with ORCA-Fusion BT back-thinned Gen-III sCMOS CAMERA, acquisition computer and monitor as well as associated software and hardware, and user manual are required.

Salient Characteristics:

The NINDS Cellular Neurophysiology Section requires one (1) slide scanner system that meets the following requirements:

The system must have:

The following objectives - 2x ACH and 20 X XAPO objectives,, 4x UPLXAPO objectives, UPLXAPO10X air, UPLXAPO40X, UPLSAPO40XS -an X-Cite Xylis light source -the Sedat penta-cube filter set (DAPI, FITC, TRITC, CY5, CY7) -additional filter cubes for CFP, YFP, mCherry -automatic oil dispenser

-Hamamatsu Orca Fusion Camera -1X6 slide tray for standard slides -1X2 slide tray for 4X3 slides

The system must include acquisition software as well as a computer and monitor.

Quantity:

- One VS200 Slide Scanner Unit for Manual Loading, Includes; Computer and Monitor 2X ACH & 20X XAPO Objectives Color Camera 1 (1"x3") SlideTray Acquisition Software

- One VS200 Accessory Kit, Includes: Joystick Power Cords Power Supply and UPS

- One VS200 6-SLIDE FLUORESCENCE INSTALLATION FEE

- One U-FDICT;CUBE HOUSING W/FIXED ANALYZER

- One LENS PAPER; LENS CLEANING TISSUE,100 SHEETS

- One VS200 Fluorescence Set High Precision, Consisting of; VS20S-FL Fluorescence Acquisition Solution U-FFWR U-FFWO IX3-RFACA IX3-RFALFE Objective 4x

UPLXAPO

- One MCherry LED Filter Set 578/21X/BS596/641/75M zero-pixel shift w/BX3 cube

- One ET-ECFP Filter Set 436/20X, BS455, 480/40M w/BX3 cube

- One ET-EYFP Filter Set 500/20X, BS515, 535/30M w/BX3 cube

- One Custom Penta DA/FI/TR/Cy5/Cy7 Sedat set, 25mm filters, no cube

- One U-FF; Empty Fluorescence Cube for BX3 and IX3, 25MM

- One X-Cite XYLIS II, XT730S (365nm), unit only, no speedDIAL Includes: - X-Cite XYLIS II (XT730S) - Accessory Kit (tools, USB cable, power cord)

- One U-LLGAD; Collimating Light Guide Adapter for U-HGLGPS

- One 3 mm x 1500 mm X-Cite 120 liquid light guide

- One ORCA-Fusion BT back-thinned Gen-III sCMOS CAMERA. C-mount with USB 3.0 card (for up to 30 fps full-frame). USB 3.0 A/B Cable, Power Supply, an optional mounting baseplate, and Trigger cable. Also included is a copy of HCImage Live software

- One Autofluorescent Plastic Slides in case

- One UPLXAPO10X OBJECTIVE, OFN26.5, NA0.40, WD3.1mm

- One UPLXAPO40X OBJECTIVE, OFN26.5, NA0.95, WD0.18mm, W/CC

- One VS200 Oil Dispenser System

- Three IMMOIL-SI-F30CC; Silicone Immersion Oil, 30CC

- One UPLSAPO40XS; U Plan S-Apo N 40X Si Oil Objective, NA 1.25, WD

0.30MM,W/CC, BFP1

- One VS200 Desktop version without hardware support

- One VS200 Solution for image analysis for VS200 Desktop version

- One VS200 Solution for VSI image conversion

- One VS200 Solution for 3D deconvolution for Desktop version

Anticipated period of performance: 90 days after receipt of order.

In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25.

Capability statement /information sought.

Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice.

However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Shayna Simpson, Contract Specialist, at e-mail address Shayna.simpson@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before July 18, 2024, 10:00 am, Eastern Time.

“Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”