Sources_Sought_Notice_-_NIHDA201800202.docx

Federal Business Opportunities (FBO)

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

1. Solicitation Number: NIHDA201800202

2. Title: Neuronal pathway studies using Correlative Light Electron Microscopy (CLEM)

3. Classification Code: 6640

4. NAICS Code: 334516

5. Description:

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. 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.

Background:

The NIDA Electron Microscopy (EM) Core serves NIDA-IRP researchers by providing access to existing and emerging techniques for neuronal ultrastructural analysis. The NIDA EM Core offers the following services: (1) EM services that are tailored to the needs of individual IRP researchers. Services include sectioning, immunostaining and counterstaining, and EM imaging; and (2) training and access to an ultrathin microtome and a transmission electron microscope, and data interpretation. The EM Core needs to expand its initiative to perform correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). CLEM techniques are used to combine structural and functional information from biological samples.

Purpose and Objectives:

The EM Core needs the following to achieve this goal: (1) an inverted research stand for multimodal imaging of living and fixed specimens; (2) a modular confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with a 32-channel-area-detector and Cy7 laser; and (3) a single user interface imaging software that can (a) control the inverted microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope, and scanning electron microscope involved in CLEM; and (b) perform data analysis on- and off-line. In this design, the Core will be able to collect the fluorescent image and electron microscopic image for the exact same neurons and terminals. The modular system allows the Core to study characteristics in neurons from animal models for drug abuse and addiction.

Project requirements:

NIDA-IRP Inverted Microscope (with motorized focus drive and Z PIEZO stage) and Laser Scanning Microscope with 32-channel-area-detector and Cy7 Laser to perform Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy using software to control and correlative interface adaptor that can used across inverted microscope; laser scanning microscope and scanning electron microscope

Anticipated period of performance and/or delivery date:

Period of Performance: The complete system (including electronics) has a 12-month warranty.

Delivery Date: Eleven weeks after receipt of order.

Salient Characteristics Brand Name: Axio Observer 7 Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Model/Type/Catalog Number:

Definite Focus .2 LSM880

Physical Salient Characteristics:

Functional Salient Characteristics:

· Inverted microscope stand with fully motorized 6 position compatible objective nosepiece and 6 position push and click motorized fluorescence filter turret

· Motorized integrated Z focus with a step size of 10nm and travel range of 25mm

· Motorized X,Y stage with high accuracy and reproducibility. Stage can be controlled via software and joystick control.

· Thin Film Transistor (TFT) touch panel independent of microscope stand with focus control and access to all microscope motorized functions.

· Computer controlled metal halide fluorescence illuminator with variable intensity output.

· Interfaces: CAN, RS232, USB, TCP/IP, Socket for external UNIBLITZ shutter, Trigger Socket (In/Out) for shutter

· High efficiency hard coated shift free filters for GFP, CY3, DAPI for standard visual fluorescence Imaging.

· High resolution scanning stage with joystick and integrated computer control including universal specimen holder suitable for variety of slide and round dishes up to 60mm with 5µ reproducibility over the full travel range.

· Integrated contrast manager to preset all light and microscope conditions

· Autocorr objectives (only available for Axio Observer 7) and ZEN imaging software to adjust your microscope optics to samples to achieve crisp contrast and improved signal to noise.

· ACR – Automatic Component Recognition for objectives and filter Sets

· Fully integrated environmental control units into microscope stand control via TFT

· Thermally isolated Objectives for Live Cell Imaging

· Definite Focus .2 includes nosepiece 6-position H DIC motorized ACR

· Sideport (type): 3-position motorized L/R

· Z PIEZO Stage Attachment (needs 1nm resolution, 500µm travel range in Z, 5mm/xec maximum speed, +/-5nm reproducibility and hold maximum load of 2kg) with Scanning Stage 130 x 100 STEP (needs 130mm x 100mm travel range, 25mm/s maximum speed, 0.1µm resolution, +/- 1µm reproducibility, +/-5µm absolute accuracy, compatible with autocorr objectives)

· Motorized Reflected Light Illumination, Motorized Slider for Reflected Light Illumination, and Internal Shutter for Fluorescence; apochromatic corrected beam path with transmission >50% from 340 to 700nm

· Combine with stable incubation options for long-term live cell imaging and precise micromanipulation

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

Microscope must be able to or potentially perform functions including, but not limited, the following:

Label-free live cell cultures (evaluate and document cell culture status) using: PlasDIC contrast for high-resolution images through plastic vessels; objective lenses with long working distance or correction rings to enhance contrast and resolution; Sample carriers and stages for large cell culture flasks; Field of view (field number: 23 mm)

Label-free fixed and thin tissue slices or small organism (document and evaluate cell and tissue morphology and growth rate) using: Optimized DIC for low magnification, high numerical aperture multi-immersion lenses

Live neuronal or muscular cell culture or tissue slices (observation of fast densitometric, ratiometric, and electrical signals) using: Water- and silicon oil immersion lenses, Apochromatic and UV-enhanced reflected-light illuminator, Dual camera adapter Duolink, Highspeed filter wheels and shutters, Fast multicolor LED illumination with Colibri 7, High efficiency filter sets, Z-Piezo (500 μm) with large travel range

Fixed immunofluorescence labelled tissue or cell culture samples (identification, quantification and qualification of cell types, cell, tissue and protein markers in 2D and 3D samples) using: Definite Focus.2, Dual filter wheel, Apotome.2, Piezo stage for high speed, high precision XY positioning, Various mounting frames for different sample carriers

Multi-labelled living tissue section, organs, organotypic-, spheroid or cell culture preparations (long-term observation of physiological and morphological parameters in 2D/3D) using: Autocorr objective lenses, Definite Focus.2, Special objectives for incubation, LCI objectives, LD objectives, Water and silicone oil immersion objectives, Aqua Stop II, Incubation (heating/cooling), CO2 and O2 control, Camera adapter for large field of view imaging (field number: 23 mm), Colibri 7, Laser Manipulation (DirectFRAP)

Super resolution imaging capabilities when used with LSM880 with Airyscan and Cy7 laser

Definite Focus .2 compensates for focus drift of samples caused by changing conditions (i.e. room temperature); ZEN imaging software is used to choose focus strategy so compensation happens automatically in the background without interfering in the acquisition process

Incubator XLmulti S1 used for live-cell imaging and micromanipulation. Slide-in module standard XLmulti lateral slide-in module for incubators XLmulti S1 for all standard applications at the left sideport. Compatible with Definite Focus.

Brand Name: Objectives from Carl Zeiss Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Model/Type/Catalog Number:

Physical Salient Characteristics: see Functional Salient Characteristics section

Functional Salient Characteristics:

Water immersion objective for confocal microscopy Magnification=63x, Numerical Aperture=1.2, Water Immersion (W), Correction Ring (Corr) Thread Type= M27x0.75, Cover Glass Thickness (CG)=0.14-.19mm; Free Working Distance (FWD)=0.28mm at Cover Glass Thickness=0.17mm; UV-VIS-IR including Immersol W and cover glasses, high performance, CG=0.17mm, Strehl ratio >90%, Flatness, Color Correction

Universal Objective (without immersion) for flouresence and high transmission Magnfication=10x, Numerical Aperture=0.3, Thread Type=M27x0.75, Free Working Distance (FWD)=5.2mm, Cover Glass Thickness (CG)=0.17mm, Flatness, Color Correction

Objectives for field flattening, correction, and confocal microscopy Magnification=5x, Numerical Aperture=0.16, Thread Type=M27x0.75, Free Working Distance (FWD)=12.1mm, Flatness, Color Correction

Magnfication=20x, Numerical Aperture=0.8, Thread Type=M27x0.75, Free Working Distance (FWD)=0.55mm, Cover Glass Thickness (CG)=0.17mm, high performance, Flatness, Color Correction

Magnification=40x, Numerical Aperture=1.4, Oil Immersion, Thread Type=M27x0.75, Free Working Distance (FWD)=0.13mm, Cover Glass Thickness (CG)=0.17mm, (UV)VIS-IR including Immersol 518 F, high performance, Flatness, Color Correction

Magnification=63x, Numerical Aperture=1.4, Oil Immersion, Thread Type=M27x0.75, Free Working Distance (FWD)=0.19mm, Cover Glass Thickness (CG)=0.17mm, including Immersol 518 F for 30˚C, high performance, Strehl ratio >90%, Flatness, Color Correction

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

Water immersion objective for confocal microscopy Applications include: Fluorescence (Multichannel, Ultraviolet Transmission, and Infra Red Transmission); Brightfield; Differential Interference Contrast (DIC); High Contrast DIC (HC DIC); Definite Focus .2; Confocal Microscropy (Ultra Violet, Visible Light (VIS)); NLO-IR/2 photon

Universal Objective (without immersion) for fluorescence and high transmission Applications include: Fluorescence (Multichannel, Ultraviolet Transmission, and Infra Red Transmission); Brightfield; Differential Interference Contrast (DIC); PlasDIC Contrast; Definite Focus .2; Confocal Microscropy (Ultra Violet, Visible Light (VIS)); NLO-IR/2 photon

Objective (without immersion) for field flattening, correction, and confocal microscopy Applications: Fluorescence (Multichannel, Ultraviolet Transmission, and Infra Red Transmission); Brightfield; Definite Focus .2; Confocal Microscropy (Ultra Violet, Visible Light (VIS)); NLO-IR/2 photon, ApoTome, Microdissection

Brand Name: LSM 880 5-total Channel System with Airyscan Detector and Cy7 Laser Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Model/Type/Catalog Number:

Physical Salient Characteristics:

Active anti-vibration table (NLO) for Mai Tai Laser or Chameleon 180 150 75 200 Active anti-vibration table (NLO)

Functional Salient Characteristics:

· Correlative EM-Confocal-Sup resolution imaging with Shuttle and Find

· AiryScan Universal detection Module

· 32 channel GaAsP detection array

· Isotropic(X,Y,Z) enhancement of resolution to 2 fold 120nm in XY and 350nm in Z

· Improved S/N in superresolution mode for more outstanding image quality

· Compatible with all dyes and standard Confocal Preparations(Dyes incl all fluorescent proteins)

· Compatible with all visible laser lines incl 405 and 355

· Multiple modes of operation for Airyscan Module

· Superresolution – Provides 2 fold increase in resolution for the lens used

· Virtual Pinhole allows post calculation of optical section thickness for all channels

· Confocal Mode –Operates as a standard Ultra sensitive Confocal Channel

· Integrated seamlessly into ZEN 2 software module

· Behaves like another detector on system

· Supports line wise multitracking for fast live cell crosstalk free imaging

· Airyscan FAST utilizes a beam shaping optic to expend the illumination beam such that it illuminates 4 pixels at a time in the Y dimension. This mode allows acquisitions 4 fold faster as compared to the equivalent confocal frame size PLUS 1.5 fold better resolution PLUS 4 fold better sensitivity as compared to an image acquired with normal confocal.

· The TwinGate main beamsplitter utilizing 2 separate 13 position MBS wheels allowing up to 50 different laser combinations while maintaining a typical laser suppression of OD 7 or greater.

· The highly efficient holographic grating leads to an even spectral dispersion over the entire visual spectral range (380-750 nm). Grating utilizes a ‘spectral recycling loop’ to recover non-separated light, redirecting it onto the holographic grating for optimum sensitivity.

· Pigtailed Lasers, easily upgradeable, maintenance-free, and highly stable.

· Emission signal can be captured simultaneously using the internal detectors and the BiG.2 detector module mounted on the DC-out coupling port. This is accomplished using dichroic filters within a filterwheel inside the scanhead (controlled within the ZEN software).

· Software integrated linear modulation of laser power from 0.001 to 100% for all laser lines between 458 and 633nm for an attention range of 1:100,000

· Multitrack imaging, for the prevention of cross-talk, by linewise or framewise switching of the laser excitation line, essential for multi-fluorescence applications and co-localization studies.

· Digital quantitative gain: noise-free contrast enhancement before bit depth conversion.

· Digital, quantitative Offset; units of offset control slider always correspond to the image grey level values.

· The pinhole opening diameter is freely variable and adjustable through ZEN software.

· Freely rotatable scan field (0-360 degree in 0.1° steps) and free xy offset (crop functionality).

· OSCiscan, Online Scanner Calibration, for artifact-free, fast and reliable bidirectional scanning without the need of manual adjustment.

· Use up to 8 laser lines simultaneously.

· 19 different scan speed levels (38 levels when including bi-directional scans).

· Scan Speeds:

· 512 x 512 pixels at max. 13 frames/sec

· 256 x 256 pixels at max. 27 frames/sec

· 512 x 16 pixels at max. 430 frames/sec

· Spotscan 1.53 µs/pixel

· Maximum frame size 8k x 8k

· Absolute linear scanner movement to ensure equal pixel dwell-times as a prerequisite for any quantitative study.

· Variable scan field size (hardware-zoom) from 0.7 to 40 in 0.1 steps for magnifications up to and beyond the optical limits of resolution, with a scan field of 20 mm diagonally in the intermediate image plane.

· Image format from 4x1 to 8192x8192 pixels with up to 16 bit depth (65536 gray values) in all PMT channels.

· Multidimensional image acquisition with easy combinations of Z-Stack, Time Series, Multi-positions (including software based autofocus options), and Tile Scan experiments.

· Time Series with automatic bleach control to design the entire experimental protocol. All scan strategies can be applied (line, spline, frame, z-line, z-spline, Z-Stack, ROIs, z-ROIs) in the Time Series.

· Multiple (up to 99) freely definable regions of interest (ROIs). Pixel precise control of the laser intensity and signal detection. Prevention of photo damage outside the ROIs boundaries necessary when work on living cells, FRET, FRAP, uncaging, photoactivation and photoconversion experiments.

· Possible to select different scan speeds and laser attenuation for bleach ROIs and image frames.

· The acquisition and analysis of spectral data is fully integrated in the basic software (ZEN).

· Gain calibration and linearization of up to 36 PMT detectors is foundation for reliable spectral acquisition and analysis.

· Spectral data can be stored in the spectral database and later used for reference-based linear unmixing.

· Emission Fingerprinting: Reliable separation of different fluorescent dyes even with highly overlapping emission spectra (e.g. simultaneous detection and separation of FITC, GFP, YFP and autofluorescence) based on known, previously recorded reference spectra. Display of the unmixed dyes (crosstalk free) into separate dye-channel images and overlay images.

· Reference spectra can be stored in a database and later recalled. Spectral information is stored automatically with each unmixed image for traceable and reproducible workflow and unmixing experiments.

· Available Lasers:

· 355 nm, solid state laser, 60 mW

· 405 nm, diode, 30 mW, cw or cw+pulsed

· 440 nm, diode, 15 mW, cw+pulsed

· 458, 488, 514 nm, Ar gas laser, 25 or 35 mW

· Choice of either 543nm or 561 nm laser

· 543 nm, HeNe, 1 mW

· 561 nm, diode pumped solid state laser, 20 mW

· 594 nm, HeNe, 2 mW

· 633 nm, HeNe, 5 mW

· Cy7 laser, 660nm, red shifted PMT, NDD housing, MBS 405/660

· The LSM control software provides control over prechirp capability for fs pulsed IR lasers. This capability is provided to adjust dispersion compensation over the available range. Optimized values can be saved for subsequent re-use.

· The LSM control software provides full control of an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) which provides both two laser outputs with different wavelengths. This allows for simultaneous excitation of fluorophores with varying multi-photon excitation cross-sections.

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

Microscope must be able to or potentially perform functions including, but not limited, the following:

Antibody stained tissue slices (document morphological relations of structures with a resolution of 120nm (XY)/350nm (Z) at 488nm excitation using: Airyscan with GaAsP detector for superresolution imaging

Live cell culture (study the motility of vesicles and organelles) using: Airyscan in Fast mode for gentle imaging with high frame rates

Live cell culture with two labels (study the motility of subcellular structures) using: Airyscan with GaAsP detector to image 2 colors with time lapse imaging in 2D or 3D at 2.5 frames per second and 9.6 frames per second with Fast mode.

Live or fixed cells with multiple labels and overlapping emission signals (examine the interplay of multiple proteins) using: Parallel acquisition of all signals with spectral imaging at 5 full frames per second and online or post processed unmixing

Cellular structures with weak labels (image subcellular structures at physiological expression levels) using: Airyscan with GaAsP detector or LSM880 with GaAsP detector

Living organisms/animals (see the interaction of cells with living tissue) using: Multiphoton extension of LSM880

Model organisms, e.g. C. elegans (see fine details of the organisation and dynamics of endogenously expressed fluorescent proteins) using: Airyscan with GaAsP detector for superresolution imaging beyond 40 μm deep into tissue

Live samples with varying labelling intensities over the field of view (Collect all image information and decide on the way to present the best image in contrast later) using: Airyscan with GaAsP detector for imaging with 3 Airy units and the abiltiy to virtually close the pinhole post-acquisition

Combine Axio Observer 7 with integrated incubation modules, in this case Incubator XL, for long term live cell imaging with stable temperature conditions

Combine Axio Observer .Z1 with LSM 880 with Airyscan for multiphoton experiments on living specimens

Airyscan detector used to resolve structures 120nm (in x.y) and 350nm (in z) in 2D and 3D and 4-8x improvement of signal-to-noise (SNR)

BiG.2 can be used for FCS, photon counting experiments and FLIM

Iluminator HXP 120V is a fluorescence light source with motorized brightness switch and integrated motorized shutter, that works with stepper motor controlled, fast and vibration free. Interfaces: 1x CAN, 1x Trigger in (BNC), 1x Trigger out (BNC), 1x EXT (BNC) for remote control unit.

Definite Focus .2 compensates for focus drift of samples caused by changing conditions (i.e. room temperature); ZEN imaging software is used to choose focus strategy so compensation happens automatically in the background without interfering in the acquisition process

CY 7 laser allows users to see at near infrared (NIR) fluorophore signal and much less background fluorescence is observed in tissue sample

Brand Name: ZEN Software Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Model/Type/Catalog Number: ZEN 2.3 System US Hardware License Key

Physical Salient Characteristics:n/a Functional Salient Characteristics:

· Image Acquisition and processing under Win7/10x64

· User interface configurable, control of the Carl Zeiss microscope systems and components, extensive acquisition and analysis

· CZI image format

· Detector Control, Axiocams and PMTs from ZEISS included, third party devices optionally available; Laser- / Lasermodule-Control; Microscope Control

· Macro Environment: Use a programming language to generate macros ZEN (black edition): VBA

· Tools: Control of Axiocams; PMT Control; Laser-/Lasermodule-Control; Microscope Control

· Include the following ZEN Modules:

· Multi Channel: Record different fluorescence and transmitted light images in independent channels

· Time Lapse: Record images over time

· Z Stack: Record Z-stacks with the help of a motorized focus drive

· Manual Extended Focus: Acquire images manually and calculate a 2D image out of a Z-stack

· Autofocus: Determine the focus position of your specimen

· Tiles & Positions: Record exact, highly resolved images by automatically scanning pre-defined specimen areas; Produce images with the help of position lists. Configure tile regions and individual positions

· Panorama: Manually acquire highly resolved overview images from individual 2D images

· Counting: Work with imaging and counting mode, including basic FCS data acquisition

· Extended Focus: Calculate a 2D image out of a 3D Z-stack

· Spectral Unmixing: Perform spectral unmixing of lambda stacks or multichannel images, via reference spectra or component analysis

· Colocalisation: Analyze colocalisation between two fluorescence channels quantitatively

· Measurement: Use extended interactive measurement tools

· Image Analysis: Use an assistant to create an automatic measurement program

· Analysis, Processing and Views:

· Interactive measurement, Scale Bars and Text Annotations

· Management, visualization and printing of metadata and images

· Post-Processing of images: standard operations for image optimization: contrast, brightness, gamma, colors, smoothing, sharpening, geometric corrections

· Image file browser

· Up to three independent image containers, image comparison view

· Gallery view

· View for histogram measurement

· View for profile measurement

· 2.5D (pseudo-3D) view

· Info view for metadata, partially editable

· x / y scatter plots

· Image splitter function for synchronized comparison of up to 16 images

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

· Software for all imaging systems (Axio Observer 7 and LSM880 with Airyscan and Cy7 Laser), including laser-based 3D imaging systems

· User interface and files: User interface with stepless scaling and zooming; All functional elements can be displayed either in basic or advanced mode; saving of workspace configurations; Image import (LSM, ZVI, BMP, TIF, JPG, GIF, PNG) and function to convert images (TIF, JPG, BMP) into CZI format; Export to OME-TIFF-image format specification of the Open Microscopy Environment, including metadata, to facilitate cross-platform image data exchange; Export into ZVI, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, HDP image and AVI and WMF video formats; Batch Export of images and videos

· Hardware Control: Full integration of ZEISS microscopes, cameras and accessories; Interactive and automatic control of the motorized microscope components; Transfer of information from encoded components into the software; Reproducible acquisition with millisecond precision – Control of trigger board (analog / digital I / O card) for hardware control

· Image Acquisition: Smart Setup function for fully automatic creation of experiments to acquire multichannel fluorescence and transmitted light images. "Motif" feature available to further optimize acquisition experiments for quality or speed; Acquisition experiments can be configured, saved and reloaded. Reuse function from images automatically restores acquisition parameters; Sequence of acquisition dimensions can be selected (depending on active dimensions); Interactive graphical representation of the microscope light path; Fully automatic assignment of geometric scalings for image acquisition. Manually created scaling supported for even higher accuracy; Automatic saving of acquired images in CZI (including metadata) to prevent image data loss

· Create images with multiple channels. To do this, with widefield systems you combine any number of fluorescence channels with images in transmitted light, e.g. phase contrast, according to your requirements. A special feature here is that you can select your dyes from the integrated database. This already contains data sets for more than 500 fluorochromes and can be expanded as required. For each fluorescence excitation wavelength, the relevant channel is acquired with the optimal exposure time. An independent exposure time and microscope setting can also be assigned to each channel.

· Acquisition of time series (time-lapse). Definition of intervals, total duration or number of cycles. Control via time, trigger or manually; synchronisation with bleach events. for widefield systems you control your microscope, camera and imaging software from ZEISS. This allows you to document dynamic processes in your specimens with a compact image sequence. ZEN controls the exposure setting for your microscope here with millisecond precision. With the Time Lapse module, damage is no longer caused to specimens as a result of unnecessarily long exposure times – an important requirement for your quantitative analyses of living specimens. Images can be exported at any time into common video formats, such as AVI or MOV, for demonstrations and publications.

· Acquisition of Z-stacks with the aid of a motorized focus drive. Definition of the Z-stack via "start/stop" and "center". Smallest step size which can be defined is 10nm. acquire axial image stacks on your ZEISS microscope with motorized focus drive. The image acquisition program controls the Z-drive of your stand in precisely the right increments and synchronizes it with acquisition. ZEN can calculate the increments fully automatically, if required, or you can allocate them manually. A special feature here is that from now on you create your Z Stacks with graphical support. This assistance is even available to you dynamically during acquisition. The size of your experiment, which is saved in a compact .CZI file, is limited only by the travel range of your system and the minimum increment.

· Create images without being restricted by your microscope's depth of field. The software module extracts the sharp details at different focus positions from the interactively acquired Z-stacks and combines them into an image with maximum depth of field. Using the live image display, additional images can be added to the intermediate result.

· Determination of the optimal focus position in the sample. The autofocus works with transmitted, reflected and fluorescence light. Definition of an autofocus region in the camera image. for widefield systems you determine the optimal focus position for your specimen in transmitted light, reflected light and reflected light fluorescence. ZEN “learns” the ideal position during your everyday work on the light microscope and is therefore trained continuously with regard to correct focusing. No calibration procedure is required for this and the focus is recorded automatically for all objectives and contrast techniques.

· Automatic scanning of predefined sample areas, plus acquisition of images according to a position list. Supports focus correction maps, stitching and shading correction.

· Compatible with software autofocus. scan your specimen automatically, making it possible to analyze large areas. A large, virtual overview image can be generated in this way from numerous individual images. This allows you to navigate over the specimen like a map and zoom easily into any regions of interest. Tiles & Positions and ZEN align the individual images precisely in relation to one another, providing the optimal basis for further analyses. A special feature here is that a software wizard helps you to mark positions on multiwell plates, multi-chamber slides, slides and dishes interactively and locate them with a click of your mouse.

· Calculation of images without limitation in focus depth of z-stack images. Extraction of the sharp details of single images via wavelet algorithms.

· Spectral Unmixing…

· Unmix the overlapping signals of different fluorescence channels, export your measured values in CSV format and process them further using a spreadsheet.

· Define which of the 90 plus morphological parameters available are measured in your images; determine the area, diameter and perimeter of a cell simultaneously; perform a comprehensive and precise analysis of the cell in a single operation, even in the online image; and for each tool you can specify which measurement results you want ZEN to show in your image. Present measurement data in the form of a table, list or graph. ZEN saves your measurements together with the image data in the new CZI file format so you canexport measurement data at any time in Microsoft Excel-compatible CSV format for documentation or further analyses.

· Generate automatic measurement procedures that are available to be used for an unlimited number of images. Be able to adjust settings even while program is actively running. Export all measurement data in the Excel-compatible CSV table format for documentation or futhur analyses.

· Exchange imaging data between ImageJ, Omero, FIJI, Python, KNIME, and MATLAB for further analysis

Brand Name: ZEN Software Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Model/Type/Catalog Number: ZEN 2.3 DeskUS Hardware License Key, Cat#410135-1004-230, Qty. 1x Physical Salient Characteristics: n/a Functional Salient Characteristics:

· Image processing under Win7/10x64

· Detector Control, Axiocams and PMTs from ZEISS included, third party devices optionally available; Laser- / Lasermodule-Control; Microscope Control

· Macro Environment: Use a programming language to generate macros ZEN (black edition): VBA

· Include the following ZEN Modules:

· Extended Focus: Calculate a 2D image out of a 3D Z-stack

· Measurement: Use extended interactive measurement tools

· Image Analysis: Use an assistant to create an automatic measurement program

· Analysis, Processing and Views:

· Interactive measurement, Scale Bars and Text Annotations

· Management, visualization and printing of metadata and images

· Post-Processing of images: standard operations for image optimization: contrast, brightness, gamma, colors, smoothing, sharpening, geometric corrections

· Image file browser

· Up to three independent image containers, image comparison view

· Gallery view

· View for histogram measurement

· View for profile measurement

· 2.5D (pseudo-3D) view

· Info view for metadata, partially editable

· x / y scatter plots

· Image splitter function for synchronized comparison of up to 16 images

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

· Offline image processing and analysis without microscope

· User interface and files: User interface with stepless scaling and zooming; All functional elements can be displayed either in basic or advanced mode; saving of workspace configurations; Image import (LSM, ZVI, BMP, TIF, JPG, GIF, PNG) and function to convert images (TIF, JPG, BMP) into CZI format; Export to OME-TIFF-image format specification of the Open Microscopy Environment, including metadata, to facilitate cross-platform image data exchange; Export into ZVI, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, HDP image and AVI and WMF video formats; Batch Export of images and videos

· Calculation of images without limitation in focus depth of z-stack images. Extraction of the sharp details of single images via wavelet algorithms.

· Define which of the 90 plus morphological parameters available are measured in your images; determine the area, diameter and perimeter of a cell simultaneously; perform a comprehensive and precise analysis of the cell in a single operation, even in the online image; and for each tool you can specify which measurement results you want ZEN to show in your image. Present measurement data in the form of a table, list or graph. ZEN saves your measurements together with the image data in the new CZI file format so you canexport measurement data at any time in Microsoft Excel-compatible CSV format for documentation or further analyses.

· Generate automatic measurement procedures that are available to be used for an unlimited number of images. Be able to adjust settings even while program is actively running. Export all measurement data in the Excel-compatible CSV table format for documentation or futhur analyses.

Brand Name: ZEN Shuttle & Find Hardware License Key Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Model/Type/Catalog Number: ZEN Module Shuttle & Find Hardware License Key, Cat#410136-1056-120, Qty. 1x Physical Salient Characteristics: n/a Functional Salient Characteristics:

· Acquisition and correlation of light and electron microscope images

· Calibration of XY-position and image acquisition with light microscope

· Transfer of images with position data to SEM and XB running Shuttle & Find module under ZEN software

· Marking and easy repositioning of interesting sample regions in SEM/XB

· Overlay of light and electron microscopic images

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

· Fully integrated in ZEN imaging software

· Generate correlative overlay images with the help of Shuttle & Find’s built-in functions

· Ease of training and use with a single software interface common to both the light and electron microscope

Brand Name: Miscallaneous Software Manufacturer’s Name: Carl Zeiss Microscopy

Physical Salient Characteristics: n/a Functional Salient Characteristics:

Memory 32GB (2x16) DDR4-2133 MHz ECC registered RAM (O) consisting of 2 x 16 GB modules

Solid-State-Drive SSD 512 GB PCle x 4 needs 512 GB SSD Capacity, up to 2.15GB/s maximum read time rate, up to 1.55GB/s maximum write transfer rate, and one free PCI Express 3.0 x4 slot

Performance Level Salient Characteristics:

Solid-State-Drive SSD 512 GB PCle x 4 for performant handling of large files, e.g. driving detector systems at full bandwidth or processing of large datasets

Capability statement /information sought:

Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specificed in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details of the respondents’ (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and other management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information.

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

Finally, respondents are also encouraged to provide a general overview of the respondent’s opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement, and any other information regarding innovative ideas or concepts that may be applicable.

Submission Instructions:

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 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.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

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 Ndidi Okeagu, Contract Specialist, NIH/NIDA at ejinwaemeonu.okeagu@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before June 13, 2018 at 3:00PM 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 Federal Business Opportunities. 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).”