6650--Microscopy System

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 is conducting a Sources Sought Notice for a Microscopy System to be delivered to the CT Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut. The procurement specifically seeks a Supernova-100 Miniature Two-Photon Microscopy System for the VA National PTSD Brain Bank to support neuroscience research on posttraumatic stress disorder. The system must provide high-resolution, deep-tissue imaging capabilities for neuronal activity in live subjects, with technical requirements including 3-dimensional imaging, multiple operating modes, and the ability to image single dendritic spines at 0.65 um resolution. The system components must include a laser unit, headpiece unit, collection control unit, application auxiliary unit, and behavioral unit, with customization for specific wavelengths at 920nm and 1030nm. Interested vendors must respond by August 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, and may contact Contracting Officer Tara Dossiema at Tara.Dossiema@va.gov. The procurement falls under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and PSC 6650 (Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components And Accessories).

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and appears to be structured as a single-source procurement under contract VA241-15-D-0148. The period of performance is established at 12 weeks from contract award, with delivery required to the Connecticut Mental Health Center. Key deliverables include the complete microscope system, hardware installation, site acceptance testing, training videos, remote training, and a standard one-year warranty. The procurement includes specific logistical arrangements with shipment and tracking to be coordinated directly with Matthew Girgenti and Brenda Martini from the VA, while invoicing will be processed through the Tungsten portal. The system will support preclinical research aimed at studying neural circuits involved in PTSD with the objective of identifying potential biomarkers and developing more effective therapeutic treatments.