6515--541-26-3-250-0303 - Olympus BX43 Pathology Microscope

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI/Sources Sought) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 10.002(b)(2), FAR 12.101, FAR 12.103 & FAR 12.202(a).

DISCLAIMER

This request for information, sources sought (RFI/Sources Sought) is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 10.002(b)(2), FAR 12.101, FAR 12.103 & FAR 12.202(a), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought/RFI only. The purpose of this sources sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified Small Businesses under NAICS 339112, (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing industry), but does not exclude others from responding. Responses to this source sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this source sought, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this source sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement.

SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 10, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, is seeking sources that can provide a BX43 Cytology Microscope and accessories for Surgical Department Mechanical Room that meets the following:

Product/Items

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNIT

OR STOCK NO.

Request purchase only of BX43 Pathology Microscope and accessories

BX43-1-3 Microscope frame 2 EA

2. True color LED light source for BX43F, BX46F and BX63F 2 EA

3. UYCP-11; US Style 3-prong cord 2 EA

4. U-TTR-2 tiltable trinocular ergo 2 EA

5. WHN10X-H-1-8 eyepiece NOSEPIECE,REVERSE,ANALYZER SLOT,RMS THREAD 4 EA

6. U-D6RE;6 POSITION 2 EA

7. PLN2X/0,06 Plan Achromat, WD=5,8, NA=0,06 CC=- 2 EA

8. PLN4X/0.1 Plan Achromat Objective 4x 2 EA

9. PLN10X/0,25 Plan Achromat 10x, 2 EA

10. PLN20X/0.4 Plan Achromat Objective 10 PLN20X/0.4 Plan Achromat Objective 20x 2 EA

11. PLN40X/0,65 Plan Achromat 40x, WD=0,6, NA=0,65, CC=0,17

2 EA

12. PLCN60X-1-7 Plan achromat objective

60X/0.8, WD 0.2 2 EA

13. Swing-out condenser, NA 0.9-0.17, with white contrast cap 2 EA

14 U-SVRB-4; RIGHT HAND MECHANICAL STAGE, RACKLESS, LONG STALK 2 EA

15. U-HLDT-4; LEFT RELEASE SLIDE HOLDER, DOUBLE SLIDE, THICK 2 EA

16. E9703006; DP23 1/1.8" 6.4MP color CMOS, 2.4um, 45fps, incl. USB3.1 cable (2.9m) 2 EA

17. cellSens Entry Electronic License 2 EA

18 U-TV0.5XC-3-8 C-mount camera adapter 2 EA

19. U-ANT; ANALYZER FOR TRANSMITTED 2 EA

LIGHT, FITS IN NOSEPI SLIDER

20. Polarizer For Transmitted Light, 45mm Diameter, Fits in BX Light Well

2 EA

21 COVER-018; DUST COVER, HOOD TYPE FOR BX2 MICROSCOPES

2 EA

22. SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGE 1 EA

23. INCLUDES ON-SITE INSTALLATION, TRAINING & CALIBRATION

1 EA

Optical and Imaging Performance:

UIS2 infinity-corrected optical system

Plan Apochromat or Plan Fluorite objectives optimized for cytology applications

High numerical aperture objectives suitable for oil immersion cytopathology

100x oil immersion capability

Wide field number (FN 22 or greater)

High-resolution visualization suitable for evaluation of cellular morphology, cytologic abnormalities, infectious organisms, and neoplastic processes

OEM camera adapter compatibility for integration with existing digital imaging systems

Illumination System:

True Color LED light source compatible with BX43F, BX46F, and BX63F

Daylight-balanced illumination to support accurate cytologic color interpretation

Flicker-free, stable output

LED lifespan 20,000 hours

Intensity memory function

Uniform illumination across full field of view

Ergonomic and Mechanical Features:

Ergonomic observation tube with adjustable inclination

Low-position coaxial focus knobs

Coarse and fine focus with tension adjustment

Precision mechanical stage with fine movement control

Stage inserts compatible with cytology slide preparation

Configuration optimized for prolonged microscopic review

Required OEM Accessories and Components:

The Contractor shall provide all OEM components necessary to ensure full functionality and activation, including but not limited to:

Proprietary stage inserts

Light modules

Camera adapters

Immersion oil kits (OEM approved)

Dust covers

Power cords

Calibration and setup materials

Required mounting hardware

Any additional OEM components necessary for clinical operation

All components must be new, OEM-manufactured, and fully compatible with existing Evident BX-series microscopes currently deployed within the laboratory.

Interoperability Requirements:

The Cytology Section is standardized on the Evident BX-series microscope platform. All diagnostic workflows, imaging protocols, training materials, and maintenance programs are built upon this system.

The requested microscopes are additional to the currently deployed fleet and must:

Integrate seamlessly with existing BX-series equipment

Maintain optical consistency across the microscope fleet

Preserve manufacturer warranty protections

Support existing service contracts and maintenance protocols

Require no retraining due to platform change

Non-OEM or alternate-brand equipment would:

Disrupt standardized diagnostic workflow

Introduce optical variability affecting diagnostic consistency

Invalidate manufacturer warranties

Require retraining of cytotechnologists and pathologists

Undermine fleet uniformity and serviceability

Warranty:

Equipment shall include the manufacturer s standard warranty covering optical, mechanical, and illumination systems for a minimum of one (1) year.

3. BACKGROUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) has an immediate requirement for the procurement of two (2) brand name Evident (formerly Olympus) BX43-1-3 cytology microscopes, inclusive of the True Color LED light source compatible with BX43F, BX46F, and BX63F platforms, and all required Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components and accessories necessary for full clinical activation and use.

The requested microscopes are additional units to the currently deployed Evident BX-series microscopes within the Cytology Section of Pathology & Laboratory Management Services (PALMS). The laboratory s diagnostic workflows, digital imaging systems, standardized operating procedures, educational protocols, and preventative maintenance programs are fully based upon the Evident BX-series platform.

The Cytology laboratory s diagnostic workflows, digital imaging systems, standardized operating procedures, educational platforms, and preventative maintenance programs are built upon the BX-series architecture.

The Cytology Section performs high-resolution visualization and evaluation of:

Cellular morphology

Cytological abnormalities

Microbiological organisms

Inflammatory processes

Neoplastic pathologies

These diagnostic evaluations are mission-critical to accurate, timely, and actionable patient diagnoses.

This acquisition is required to maintain full operational capacity, mitigate diagnostic backlog, maximize utilization of existing Government-owned assets, and ensure uninterrupted cytopathology services.

4. SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide two (2) new, current production BX43-1-3 microscopes, inclusive of the True Color LED light source and all requested and associated OEM components, accessories, modules, assemblies, and consumables required for immediate clinical deployment within the Cytology Section. The Contractor shall provide on-site installation, configuration, and operational verification of all microscopes and associated OEM components at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Pathology & Laboratory Management Services Cytology Section. Installation shall include full assembly, alignment of optical components, calibration of the illumination system, verification of mechanical stage functionality, confirmation of imaging integration (if applicable), and validation of overall system performance for clinical diagnostic use. All equipment shall be fully operational and ready for immediate patient care application upon completion of installation. Any deficiencies identified during installation or inspection shall be corrected by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government prior to final acceptance.

The microscopes and components shall meet or exceed the following operational, optical, interoperability, and performance requirements:

If you are interested and can provide the sought-out supplies/services, please provide the requested information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, DUNS number, and size of business pursuant to the following questions:

Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)

Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? If not, is your company considered small under a related NAICS code?

Are you the manufacturer or distributor of the items being referenced above (or equivalent product/solution)? What is the manufacturing country of origin of these items?

If you are a large business, do you have any designated distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of Contact and size status (if available).

If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above (or an equivalent solution), do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified?

Does your company have an FSS contract with GSA or the NAC or are you a contract holder with NASA SEWP or any other federal contract? If so, please provide the contract type and number.

If you are an FSS GSA/NAC or NASA SEWP contract holder or other federal contract holder, are the referenced items/solutions you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract?

Please provide general pricing of your products/solution for market research purposes.

Please submit your capabilities in regard to the salient characteristics being provided and any information pertaining to brand name or equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes.

No re-manufactures or gray market items will be acceptable. Vendor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM.

SUBMISSION

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to kevin.peeples@va.gov. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than September 8, 2026, at 7:00am EST, (Eastern Standard Time). If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this request for information. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.

CLAUSES

FAR Number

Title

Date

52.209-6

PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT S INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT

JAN 2025

52.212-4

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-- COMMERCIAL ITEMS

NOV 2023

52.222-90

52.232-33

ADDRESSING DEI DISCRIMINATION BY FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS

PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

APR 2026

OCT 2018

52.252-2

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

FEB 1998

52.232-40

PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS

MAR 2023

52.233-1

DISPUTES

MAY 2014

52.233-3

PROTEST AFTER AWARD

AUG 1996

852.219-76

852.203-70

VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SUPPLIES AND PRODUCTS (DEVIATION)

COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING

JAN 2023

MAY 2018

852.232-72

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS

NOV 2018

852.237-70

CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

OCT 2019

PROVISIONS

52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SEP 2023

52.212-2

EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS

NOV 2021