Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

Sources Sought amended to change the place of performance.

Introduction

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.  

Project Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome (LHIM), Neuro-Immune CrossTalk Unit (NCU) is seeking a confocal laser scanning microscope system to conduct intravital imaging of mice.

Specifically, NIAID, LHIM is seeking a confocal laser scanning microscope system that can perform the following applications:

1. Fully tunable 4 channel NDD (reflect light detector) without filter-based wavelength selection for multiphoton signal collection.
2. NDD detectors capable of photon counting.
3. Simultaneous collection of fluorescence lifetime images with routine intensity images on all 4 NDD detectors.
4. All internal confocal detectors must be tunable and filter free.
5. Automated multiphoton beam alignment (single button click in software).
6. Must be able to work with existing Leica Stellaris eight (8) confocal objectives that will be supplied by the Biological Imaging Facility when the instrument is delivered.

Anticipated Period of Performance

It is anticipated that an award will be made on or about September 15, 2023. Delivery of equipment will be required as soon as possible.

Capability Statement/Information Sought

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope which meets the minimum salient characteristics listed above, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI number
2. Type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Other than Small, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code
3. Identification of any Best-in-Class contract vehicles including Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) (e.g., GSA schedule, NITAAC) they may possess or are aware of that would support this possible requirement. If your organization does not provide the products/services under a GWAC, please identify availability as OPEN MARKET ONLY.
4. Tailored capability statement addressing the capability of the instrument to meet NIAID’s minimum salient characteristics. Capability document shall be no more than six pages.
5. Place of manufacture for the microscope and if applicable, any accessories/components.
6. Evidence that the organization is an authorized reseller or manufacturer of the instrument. Only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products are acceptable.  

Submission Instructions

Interested businesses who consider themselves qualified to provide the above listed Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by August 31, 2023, at 3:00 PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be emailed to Hershea Vance at hershea.vance@nih.gov.

Disclaimer and Important Notes

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities.  However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality

No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).