Solicitation_Inverted Fluorescence Microscope_FA700026Q0062.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

Inverted Fluorescence Microscope — Notice ID: FA700026Q0062

Notice ID FA700026Q0062

Solicitation Type Request for Quotation (RFQ)

Set-Aside Unrestricted (Full and Open Competition)

NAICS Code 333310 — Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

Size Standard 1,000 Employees

Product Service Code (PSC) 6650

Response Deadline 20 Aug 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT

DISCLAIMER (Availability of Funds): Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. General Information

2. Requirement Description

2.1 System Type and Base Capabilities

2.2 Illumination and Contrast

2.3 Objectives and Optics

2.4 Fluorescence Capabilities

2.5 Stage and Sample Handling

2.6 Digital Imaging and Software

2.7 Support and Logistics

3. Submission Instructions

4. Evaluation Criteria

5. Important Dates

Notice ID: FA700026Q0062 | Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

6. Ombudsman

7. Attachments & Points of Contact

1. General Information This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC).

2. Requirement Description The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) has a requirement for one (1) Inverted Fluorescence Microscope System, along with associated delivery, installation, and training services. The equipment must meet all minimum salient characteristics as described below.

Contract Line Items (CLINs)

CLIN Description Qty Unit

0001 Inverted Fluorescence Microscope System 1 Each

0002 Shipping/Delivery 1 Lot

0003 On-Site Installation and Training 1 Lot

Minimum Salient Characteristics

2.1 System Type and Base Capabilities

• Modular research-grade inverted microscope stand with a defined, easy path for future upgradability.

• Motorized, high-precision Z-focus mechanism for parfocality and long-term stability.

• Motorized automated objective nosepiece/turret (minimum 6-position capacity).

• External touch-screen control interface and/or smart multi-function control boxes for system operation.

2.2 Illumination and Contrast

• Motorized, tiltable transmitted light arm with LED transmitted light source.

• Fully motorized Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) capabilities for generating high-quality cell images (including motorized DIC turret, condenser, and polarizer).

• High-intensity incident light fluorescence provided by a broad-spectrum LED light source (delivered via fluid light guide or equivalent).

2.3 Objectives and Optics

• Infinity-corrected optical path with large field-of-view eyepieces for sample overviews (e.g., 22mm

FOV or greater).

• High-performance, fluorescence-grade objective lenses.

• Required magnifications: 10x, 20x, 40x, and 60x (or 63x) capabilities (including appropriate phase/fluorite/oil immersion specifications for high-resolution imaging).

2.4 Fluorescence Capabilities

• Motorized fluorescence filter turret (minimum 6 positions) with fluorescence protection shield.

• Fluorescence filter cubes/sets compatible with standard biological stains, including DAPI, GFP/FITC, and Texas Red (TXR).

2.5 Stage and Sample Handling

• High-precision motorized X-Y scanning stage.

• System must include a dedicated anti-vibration table specifically designed to ensure long-term stability during automated imaging.

2.6 Digital Imaging and Software

• Motorized camera side port with 1x C-mount adapter.

• High-resolution, high-sensitivity scientific monochrome camera (e.g., sCMOS) for fluorescence imaging.

• Computational Clearing: The included image analysis software must feature an advanced computational clearing algorithm (opto-digital technology) designed to remove out-of-focus blur and haze from widefield images in real-time or post-processing for the generation of the highest quality images.

• Dedicated high-performance processing workstation/PC to run the software and process images.

2.7 Support and Logistics

• In-person, on-site installation by a qualified field service engineer.

• In-person training and post-installation support.

• Standard manufacturer warranty.

3. Submission Instructions Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to the points of contact listed below prior to the response deadline.

Quote Validity: All quotes must remain valid until 30 Sep 2026.

Offerors must submit the following to be considered for award:

1. Price Quote: A formal price quote on company letterhead detailing the pricing for the requested items. The quote must clearly display the offeror’s UEI number and CAGE code.

2. Technical Capabilities: Technical specification sheets or product literature demonstrating that the proposed equipment meets all minimum salient characteristics listed above.

3. Completed Buy American Certificate: Offerors must complete Attachment 02 — Buy American Certificate and return the signed copy with their response.

4. Evaluation Criteria The Government intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Award will be made on the basis of a Best Value / Trade-Off evaluation.

To be considered for award, the proposed equipment must meet all minimum salient characteristics specified in Section 2, at which point the Government will evaluate quotes based on a trade-off between price and non-price factors (technical capabilities) to determine the best overall value.

5. Important Dates Event Date / Deadline

Solicitation Posting Date 13 Aug 2026

Question Submission Deadline 17 Aug 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT

Quote Submission Deadline 20 Aug 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT

6. Ombudsman

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, James Anderson, 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103, USAFA, CO 80840. Telephone: 719-333- 3829, FAX: 719-333-9018, Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256- 2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.

(End of clause)

7. Attachments & Points of Contact Attachments

• Attachment 01: Provisions and Clauses

• Attachment 02: Buy American Certificate

Primary Points of Contact

Contact Role Details

Dawson Hopkinson Contract Specialist

Email: dawson.hopkinson@us.af.mil

Ron Wilson Contracting Officer

Email: ronald.wilson.26@us.af.mil