Notice_of_Intent_1.pdf

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Solicitation Number: 75N94024Q00159 Solicitation Type: Sole Source (Non-Competitive) Title: NICHD: Supply: Zeiss Axiolab 5 Ultra Darkfield Microscope NAICS / Size Standard: 334516 / 1,000 employees

Introduction

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Office of Acquisitions (OA), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Hitech Instruments Inc to provide a Zeiss Axiolab 5 Ultra Darkfield Microscope.

Background Information

Dr. Adams, a researcher for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) already has in his lab two ZEISS Axiolab 5 microscopes, one with fluorescent light components but not ultra-darkfield. The lab needs the new ZEISS Axiolab 5 Ultra- Darkfield Microscope combine ultra-darkfield and fluorescence contrasts, fulfilling a primary requirement of the experiments.

Purpose and Objectives

The lab needs this microscope to provide microscopy analysis of bacterial cells for research purposes.

Period of Performance

The period of performance is one year from award.

Contractor Requirements

The contractor needs to provide a Zeiss Axiolab 5 Ultra Darkfield Microcope that includes the following:

• Zeiss Axiolab 5 Ultra Darkfield Microscope o Ultra Darkfield oil condenser o Condenser NA=1.2-1.4, WD=1.1-1.3mm o Works with objectives NA=0.75-1.0 o Contrast-enhancing blue filter to eliminate red-light scattering o N-Achroplan 10x/0.25 objective for aligning condenser o Optimal 40x and 100x Ultra Darkfield objectives o Plan-Apochromat 40x/0.95 Corr air objective o EC Plan-Neofluar 100x/1.3 Iris oil objective o Axiocam 705 Color camera o High spectral sensitivity and binning/gain functions for low-light applications o 14-bit color, 5-megapixel sensor, 18°C-cooling for noise reduction o Two camera adapters included for field of view vs. magnification/resolution o ZEN Pro software o Multichannel image acquisition module o Measurement module o Automated scale readout o Windows 10/11 PC with two powered USB 3.0 ports required o Free on-site installation, training, and basic support

• Microscope Stand AxioLab 5

• Base plate for microscope

• Bino Phototube 20/23 100:100

• Eyepiece PL 10x/23 Br foc

• Ultra Darkfield Condnser Oil

• Condenser holder Z DF

• Contrast-Enhncng Blue Filter

• N-Achroplan 10x/0.25 Ultra Darkfield objectives

• G Plan-Apo 40x/0.95 Corr

• G EC PN 100/1.3 Oil Iris

• Camera:

o Axiocam 705 color R2 o C-Mount Adapter 60N 0.63x o C-Mount Adapter 60N C 1 1.0x

• Software:

o SW Zen 3.10 DLic

• Services o On Site Installation and Training.

o 12-month warranty

Sole Source Justification

The ZEISS Axiolab 5 Ultra-Darkfield Microscope comes with a number of key features that uniquely qualify it for the lab’s work and is the only one that can fulfill the lab’s requirements. This includes computability with the existing microscopes. Due to the compatibility of the ZEISS parts, the ultra-darkfield components can be combined with the fluorescence components on the same microscope and the imaging software for both microscopes share the same file type and metadata, so images collected on each system as well as both new and past data can be processed and compared seamlessly. Hitech Instruments is the exclusive, sole-source authorized regional distributor for ZEISS products in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region. All ZEISS parts and products purchased from Hitech Instruments are brand new and fully covered by the manufacturer’s warranty from the date of installation.

Regulatory Authority

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

FAR Clauses

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this notice to the offeror listed above. The following factors shall be used to evaluate the offer: The contractor shall demonstrate its ability to provide the detector listed that meets the specifications provided above.

FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services, is applicable. 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 clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services applies to this acquisition.

Additional Information

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 334516 and the Small Business Size Standard is 1,000 Employees. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable and the resultant award will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05 effective April 22, 2024.

This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement.

http://www.sam.gov/

All responses must be received by July 10, 2024 5:00 PM ET and must reference solicitation number 75N94024Q00159. Responses shall be submitted electronically to nicole.freid@nih.gov. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.

mailto:nicole.freid@nih.gov