P03 SSJ - Confocal Microscope - Redacted.pdf

VHAPG Part 813.5 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Certain Commercial Items Attachment 1: Request for Sole Source Justification Template >SAT-SAP under FAR13.5

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 1 of 6 Revision: 02 Acquisition ID#: 36C244-26-AP-1710

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL

ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C244-26-AP-1710

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network/Program Contracting Office NCO 04, located at 1010 Delafield Road, in support of VISN 04 VA CMJC Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA 19104.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This request is for the acquisition of a Nikon AX R Hybrid Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope System to be centrally housed in the Philadelphia VAMC research building. This action will be awarded as a new contract using FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, which are exempt from FAR Part 6 but still require justification in accordance with FAR 13.501 and FAR 6.303-2. The requested Nikon AX R system represents a significant modernization of the microscopy capabilities at the CMCVAMC, replacing the existing Olympus IX-81 system (purchased in 2007). Confocal laser scanning microscopy is a cornerstone technology supporting research across neuroscience, immunology, bioengineering, and cell biology, and contemporary systems offer substantial advancements in speed, sensitivity, spectral flexibility, and resolution.

The estimation dollar amount for this procurement is

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: Nikon AX R Hybrid

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope System which features the following salient characteristics:

1. Microscope Platform Motorized inverted microscope body equipped with a hardware-based, drift-free focusing mechanism.

Microscope platform with a 25mm field of view, matched to a 25mm confocal imaging field.

2. Scanning Capabilities

Galvanometric scanning system with high-resolution capability of 8K × 8K pixels.

Resonant scanning system supporting high-speed imaging at 2K × 2K resolution across the full 25mm field of view.

3. Detection and Resolution 5×5 Single-Pixel Photon Counter (SPPC) array — achieving lateral resolution down to 100nm.

Ability to enhance resolution beyond the diffraction limit without requiring pinhole closure or compromising light collection efficiency.

Advanced low-noise detection system offering improved performance over standard GaAsP detectors.

Optimized signal-to-noise ratio at low laser intensities.

High sensitivity and reduced phototoxicity, enabling imaging with minimal laser dosage.

Solid-state alignment-free laser module with 405/488/561/640 nm lines

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 2 of 6

Acquisition ID#: 36C244-26-AP-1710

4. Support Equipment

Vibration isolation air table Integrated image analysis computer workstation with NIS-Elements software, JOBS visual programing environment, and NIS.ai suite including:

o Denoise.ai neural network trained for shot-noise removal o Autosignal.ai — Al-driven optimization of illumination and detector settings o Full 2D/3D deconvolution for enhanced resolution and reconstruction

5. Automation and Workflow

Customized automated acquisition workflows with single-button operation for streamlined imaging processes.

6. Objectives

High-quality objectives including 10x, 20x, and 40x/60x oil immersion lenses.

System accommodates up to 6 objectives simultaneously on the motorized turret Full compatibility with dry, water, silicon, and oil objective lines

This microscope is essential for sustaining critical VA research programs and supporting emerging high-resolution and live-cell imaging needs for multiple investigators.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition:

FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement. Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:

(X) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

( ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency ( ) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert

Services ( ) International Agreement ( ) Authorized or Required by Statute ( ) National Security ( ) Public Interest

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

The Nikon AX R hybrid confocal system is the only commercially available confocal microscope meeting the Government’s specified requirements. Scientific research at the CMCVAMC is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of veterans and civilians alike. As such, our endeavors are focused on the value of translational information, i.e., how faithfully our experiments and data

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 3 of 6 Revision: 02 Acquisition ID#: 36C244-26-AP-1710 replicate the human condition and how our findings can be used in the clinic. Each department at the CMCVAMC, whether it be neuroscience, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, gastroenterology, immunology, dermatology, or musculoskeletal, uses microscopy to (1) identify changes that occur in cellular and subcellular structures in unhealthy conditions, and (2) how effective treatment strategies are at reducing or eliminating those changes. As we move forward in preclinical studies, it is imperative to gain as much information from tissue as possible as efficiently as possible without losing detail (resolution) from large sections of tissue or from live imaging of cellular constructs. In confocal microscopy, field of view (FOV) is an extremely important consideration and is a critical balancing act between seeing the "big picture" and maintaining high resolution. A larger FOV allows you to see how cells interact within a tissue or capture large structures (like brain regions, spinal discs, large skin lesions, hepatic cancer, etc.). Nikon’s 25mm Field of View (FOV) is revolutionary because it effectively doubles the imaging area of conventional confocal systems. This means capturing nearly twice the data in a single shot without losing the sub-cellular resolution needed to see organelles. This results in quicker and more efficient high throughput data collection, higher resolution at lower magnification, reduced photobleaching, and most importantly, edge-to-edge uniformity (no loss of information as the lens reaches the edge of the sample). The image isn't blurry or dark at the edges, which is a common flaw in wide-field systems.

Enhancing these features is Nikon’s incorporation of “Denoise.ai neural network” software, which allows one to get a clear image at high speeds without the need for line-averaging imaging. This results in real-time processing, massive speed boosts, and pre-trained “intelligence” that covers thousands of confocal datasets for “noise”. Nikon also includes Autosignal.ai, which is an Al-driven optimization of illumination and detector settings. Together, this software suite allows for making high-throughput workflows easier to program, reproduce, and share across research groups while reducing the learning curve for lab personnel. Nikon has a drag-and-drop workflow, making experimental setup and reproducibility easier for all users. Alternative product software lacks a no-code automation builder, making high-throughput workflows more difficult to program, reproduce, and share across research groups. Alternative brands do not offer a comparable AI suite tailored to confocal data, which would indicate the need to rely on external third-party image analysis platforms, adding cost, workflow fragmentation, and a steeper learning curve for lab personnel.

Another important advancement in confocal imaging that is offered by Nikon. The Nikon’s 8K Galvano + 2K resonant allows users to switch between high-resolution and high-speed modes within a single experiment. This is crucial when imaging large histological sections and highly detailed in vitro cultures as it dramatically reduces photobleaching and time necessary to acquire detailed images. Furthermore, Nikon’s 100nm Super-Resolution Without Pinhole Compromise achieves super-resolution while maintaining full light collection, without imposing strict dye requirements. In essence, the Nikon AXR achieves 100nm resolution with standard fluorophores at low laser power.

Nikon’s 25-element SPPC array delivers inherently noise-free, single-photon sensitivity — enabling high-quality imaging at laser powers under 1%. Nikon allows for more detail and crisper imaging for sensitive assays such as identification of cellular receptors, neuromuscular junctions, and synapses, which will benefit all research groups at the VA, as these are the next frontiers in neuroscience, dermatology, orthopedics and otorhinolaryngology. In addition, this enables extended live-cell imaging across research disciplines and the recording of calcium activity in neurons and muscle to assess functionality of cells and tissues.

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 5 of 6

Acquisition ID#: 36C244-26-AP-1710 detection, and key integration of software that is tailored to confocal data, market research is limited to the specific equipment.

Market Research Techniques Used:

• Conducted Sources Sought Notice

• Contacting Industry Experts and OEM

• SBA DSBS Portal Search

• GSA eLibrary/GSA Advantage Searches

Consideration to TAA, equipment is manufactured in Japan, which has been designated as a WTO GPA Country.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

Specifications include product features that are crucial for live cell imaging and high resolution tissue and cell imaging to be used in Research and Development. Capturing multiple two-dimensional images at different depths in a sample enables the reconstruction of three-dimensional structures (a process known as optical sectioning) within an object. This technology has revolutionized our understanding of basic cell and organ biology and is a workhorse for a majority of labs at the CMCVAMC ranging from bioengineering, neuroscience, immunology and cell biology.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: Interested sources that expressed an interest in the acquisition include Nikon Instruments Inc, Leica Microsystems, and The Stronghold Group LLC.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to

Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required:

The CMCJC VA Healthcare System will evaluate alternative solutions and conduct market research for future acquisitions to foster competition where possible. Actions that could be undertaken include:

• Conducting further market research to identify new potential suppliers.

• Exploring opportunities to standardize equipment that is compatible with multiple vendors, reducing reliance on a single source.

• Soliciting industry input through Requests for Information (RFIs) to assess market capability for providing similar equipment.

If a follow-on competitive acquisition is planned, the Government will explore opportunities to enhance compatibility between systems and consider alternative manufacturers to meet its needs.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona

Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

_____________________________ 03/11/2026 Richard Moore Date Research Operations Chief

RICHARD MOORE

Digitally signed by RICHARD

MOORE

Date: 2026.03.12 10:41:02 -04'00'

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 6 of 6

Acquisition ID#: 36C244-26-AP-1710

CMCVAMC - Research

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or Designee’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Andrea Aultman-Smith Date Contracting Officer NCO 04, Commodities 1

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over $350K but not exceeding $900K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Benjamin Villasenor Date Lead Contracting Officer

NCO 04, Commodities 1

ANDREA

AULTMAN-

SMITH

Digitally signed by

ANDREA AULTMAN-SMITH

Date: 2026.03.11 10:28:16 -04'00'

BENJAMIN VILLASENOR

Digitally signed by BENJAMIN

VILLASENOR

Date: 2026.03.12 16:38:43 -04'00'