SOR Inverted Microscope Final.docx

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

TITLE: High-Speed, Automated Fluorescence Microscope for Advanced Biological Imaging

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Cell Systems Science Group in the Biosystems and Biomaterials Division (BBD) at NIST has a nationally and internationally recognized program in biological measurements. Our leadership role involves developing novel measurement protocols, assays and biological reference materials to advance competitiveness in biotechnology and the life sciences. An important component of our mission is to develop measurements with versatile, transparent and transferrable methods. A new automated, inverted fluorescence microscope capable of high-speed imaging and integration into a robotic system is needed to achieve program success.

II. SPECIFICATIONS

The vendor shall provide a Nikon Ti2e system meeting that meets the specifications described below.

System Requirements:

The OEM components shipped to NIST shall have the following minimum specifications:

1. Inverted, automated research grade microscope stand with dual camera ports, motorized filter turret system (see item 8), motorized condenser, and motorized nosepiece for objectives (see item 7).

2. All microscope functions shall be able to be controlled via hardware, whether touch-screen pad, programmable joystick buttons or easy to access controls on the microscope body, and through the software. Software controls shall have one-click control of multiple microscope and camera functions.

3. The microscope shall include the optomechanics to perform fluorescence, brightfield, and phase contrast imaging.

4. The microscope shall have a laser autofocus system for controlling axial focus fluctuations, allowing the system to maintain focus for ≥ 48 hours of continuous imaging.

5. Motorized nosepiece rotation shall be controlled by microscope controls or touch pad or programmable joystick shortcuts and software.

6. Ability to collect z-focus stacks with micron-scale step sizes.

7. Minimum objective requirements:

a. 4x Flatfield Fluorite, 0.13NA (or similar), Phase Contrast (PH)

b. 10x Flatfield Fluorite, 0.30NA (or similar), Phase Contrast (PH)

8. 6 or 7 position motorized fluorescence filter turret or filter wheel with following high signal-to-noise (or high efficiency) filter sets for the following fluorophores:

a. DAPI

b. GFP/FITC/AF488

c. TRITC/Cy3/AF555

d. mCherry/Texas Red/AF594

e. Cy5/AF647

9. Transmitted Light LED, controllable through hardware and software.

10. Software controlled, direct mounting (no light guide), LED fluorescence source with a first peak below 400 nm (usually between 365 to 385 nm) and continuing to about 650 nm (peak max).

11. X,Y motorized stage with linear encoder. At least 50 mm/s maximum travel speed. Universal stage or stage insert(s) to hold SLAS standard well plates, petri dishes, slides.

12. Stage-adaptor or similar (to fit Okolabs stage-top incubation system) for sample environmental control of standard incubation settings (37 C and 5 % CO2).

13. Fully automated software to control microscope, acquire and analyze data, save and recall imaging methods. Imaging capabilities: X,Y slice, Z stack, wavelength, time lapse, multi-point, tiled images. Create sequence of acquisition tasks within software. Ability to designate regions of interest and image only within those regions. Automated multi-dimensional acquisition for imaging of -6, -12, -24, -48 and -96 well plates and ability to define custom regions within individual wells for imaging.

14. The microscope shall be configured to utilize hardware triggering (onboard or external analog triggering system) to maximize speed and efficiency during a multidimensional imaging routine.

15. The microscope shall be capable of continuous motion imaging (also known as continuous scanning), where the sample is continuously moving in the XY position, and images are captured as the sample is scanned without motion blurring.

16. The system shall be compatible with the Hamilton HMotion robotic arm and communicate with the Hamilton VENUS software.

17. System shall include a software environment capable of incorporating or interacting with code for customized microscope acquisition and image analysis using a non-proprietary, established language such as Python. Results from external applications shall be transferrable back into microscope software for further use.

18. Minimum requirements for PC workstation: Multicore CPU with 128GB of RAM, 4 TB NVMe hard drive and 8 GB graphical processing unit (GPU).

19. The microscope system, including all hardware and microscope control and data acquisition software, shall be installed by technicians who are trained and authorized by the microscope manufacturer.

20. Contractor shall provide user operations and maintenance manual(s) for microscope system.

Installation:

The Contractor shall install the instrument in Building 227, Room B241, at NIST Gaithersburg, MD. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of all equipment, start-up, demonstration of specifications, and removal of all trash. Instrument will operate to manufacturer’s specifications upon installation. Installation will take place during normal business hours, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday except Federal Holidays, and will be coordinated with the NIST Contract Officer Representative (COR) and the Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME).

Installation is to occur within 30 calendar days of delivery.

Warranty:

The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a one-year warranty for the equipment. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor and travel. The warranty shall commence upon Government acceptance.

Options for Extended Warranty after First Year The Contractor shall provide four (4) 12-month option periods for instrument extended warranty covering electrical parts to begin after first 12-months warranty. .

Training:

Include training at NIST Gaithersburg for up to 4 NIST personnel covering normal operation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance. Training will be provided during normal business hours, between 8:30am and 5:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays, and will be coordinated with the NIST Contract Officer Representative (COR) and the Technical subject Matter Expert (SME) to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel.

Training is to occur within 10 business days of installation. Training may be completed on-site at NIST immediately after installation and demonstration of specifications.

III. DELIVERY

Delivery shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur within 120 calendar days of award.

F.O.B. Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the order, and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery.

Delivery shall occur during normal business hours, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, with the exception of Federal holidays and shall be made to:

National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive 227/B241 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 ATTN: Anthony Asmar 227/B241

IV. DELIVERABLES

Description (and Format)

Microscope system (Ship to NIST)

Operations and maintenance manual for the analytical instrument (Hardcopy or electronic) One (1) set

Installation of the analytical instrument (On-site at NIST)

Training of NIST personnel at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD (On-site at NIST)

V. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Formal acceptance of the system shall be given at the time the Contractor successfully demonstrates that all performance specifications in this Statement of Requirements have been met including installation and training. The NIST COR shall review all deliverables and determine if these criteria are met.

VI. GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor employee shall be responsible for knowing and complying with commercial installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and also is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. The Contractor shall provide the name and citizenship information of employees for on-site visits to the NIST COR and/or SME prior to arrival. The COR and/or SME will submit the name(s) and citizenship information to the NIST Office of Security in order for a given Contractor employee to enter the NIST campus. The Contractor employee is responsible for absences due to missing or expired identification and access documents. Each Contractor employee shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished, REAL ID compliant civilian ID (which in most cases can be a valid driver's license), proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office.