6515--Hybrid Confocal Laser Microscope System

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Integrated Service Network 4, is soliciting offers for a Nikon AX R Hybrid Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope System to support research activities at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The procurement is structured as a Request for Quote (RFQ) under simplified acquisition procedures for commercial items, with solicitation number 36C24426Q0450. Key contract requirements include delivery of the complete microscope system with five line items encompassing the inverted microscope body, resonant scanning system with laser unit, specialized objectives, integrated workstation with NIS-Elements software, and vibration isolation table, along with installation, calibration, and user training services. The system must achieve specific technical specifications including 8K × 8K galvanometric scanning, 2K × 2K resonant scanning, a 55 Single-Pixel Photon Counter array for 100nm lateral resolution, 25mm field of view, and a solid-state alignment-free laser module with 405/488/561/640 nm wavelength lines. Critical deadlines include April 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern for submission of written questions and April 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern for receipt of offers. Responsive quotes must include an OEM authorization letter, completed SF 1449 forms, pricing and delivery schedules, and a Trade Agreements Certificate representation.

This solicitation carries no set-aside designation and represents an unrestricted procurement. The existing microscope being replaced is an Olympus IX-81 unit purchased in 2007, with the new system intended to support ongoing neuroscience, immunology, bioengineering, and cell biology research. Market research conducted prior to this solicitation, including a Sources Sought Notice issued February 11, 2026 and closed February 23, 2026, identified Nikon Instruments Inc as the sole source capable of meeting the Agency's specific requirements, with interested parties also including Leica Microsystems and The Stronghold Group LLC. The contract value has been redacted from available documentation; however, the Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable based on previous procurement history and pricing benchmarks. The system must be delivered to Building 21, Research Building at 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, with FOB Destination terms, and the contractor must provide one-year manufacturer's warranty, scheduled maintenance and calibration during the first year, and both basic and advanced user training services.