A-18_Notice_of_Intent_final.doc

FBO ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE

ACTION CODE: <PRESOL>

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Inverted Fluorescence Microscope System

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SB1341-16-RQ-0396

RESPONSE DATE: May 28,2016

CONTACT POINTS: Tracy Bisson, Contract Specialist, 301-975-8448

Cory Worley, Contracting Officer, 301-975-3635

DESCRIPTION:

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC (CZM) for the purchase of an inverted fluorescence microscope system to support multi-focal microscopic imaging of “body-on-a-chip” microfluidic platforms in the CNST user facility. The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

NIST research conducted in the Nano/MicroBiomedical Measurement Devices Laboratory requires customizable microscope configurations for specific experimental considerations that will evolve as the research progresses. This customization process includes adding, removing, or exchanging compatible hardware and software components between microscope systems. The hardware components to be exchanged include microscope objective lenses, fluorescence filter sets and holders, differential interference contrast optical components and holders, stages and stage inserts, excitation sources, associated optical hardware including custom parts (stage inserts, vacuum components and laser safety hardware) designed at CNST for the existing CZM microscope system.

The Nano/MicroBiomedical Measurement Devices Laboratory requires an inverted fluorescence microscope system to support multi-focal microscopic imaging of “body-on-a-chip” microfluidic platforms in the CNST user facility. The system will be sited in the CNST Nano/MicroBiomedical Measurement Devices Laboratory as a resource for experiments requiring 3D imaging of living tissues in modular microfluidic devices integrated with nanoscale sensors. It will be accessible to researchers in the CNST and to outside users via collaboration. This microscope will be equipped with additional hardware required to create a multi-focal microscope system, a tool that is not available elsewhere at NIST. The current procurement will provide a microscope for the Nano/MicroBiomedical Measurement Devices Laboratory that is compatible with CZM microscopes in two (2) other CNST Laboratories, allowing the exchange of compatible hardware and software components between microscopes, and enable research to develop advanced 3D imaging capabilities for modular, multi-tissue microfluidic devices with state-of-the-art experimental design and control, optical sensitivity, and thermal and mechanical stability.

Existing CZM Microscope Systems

The proposed procurement for an inverted fluorescence microscope is required to be compatible with four (4) other CZM inverted fluorescence microscopes in two (2) other CNST Laboratories listed below.

1. Items Description: AxioObserver Z1 custom microscope from CZM

2. Items Description: AxioObserver Z1 custom microscope from CZM

3. Items Description: AxioObserver Z1 custom microscope from CZM

4. Items Description: AxioObserver Z1 custom microscope from CZM

These microscope systems are constructed from numerous pieces of proprietary CZM hardware and software, including certain custom parts manufactured at CNST.

Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and shall occur not later than twelve (12) weeks after requested order (ARO).

Research has found that only one (1) company can meet the 100% compatibility with the existing laboratory equipment, which can ONLY be obtained directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), CZM.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 333314, and the size standard is 500 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by 1:00 p.m. Eastern on May 28, 2016. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to tracy.bisson@nist.gov . No telephone requests will be honored.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.