FDA Automated vitrification instrument system

The Food and Drug Administration seeks one fully automated laboratory vitrification system with dual-sided blotting capability for cryo-EM specimen preparation, with quotes due June 11, 2026. This is not a small business set-aside.

Place of performance is Silver Spring, Maryland, with FOB Destination delivery. The system must be stand-alone, newly manufactured equipment capable of fully automated specimen preparation with programmable parameters including blotting time, blot force, wait time, and drain time. Required environmental controls include temperature from +4°C to +60°C and humidity from 0% to 100% with real-time monitoring. The system must support dual-sided blotting with adjustable force and time, compatibility with standard 3mm cryo-EM grids, liquid ethane capability with temperature monitoring, a touchscreen interface with programmable protocols and parameter storage, and seamless integration with an existing Tundra Cryo-TEM. The equipment must include an enclosed working chamber with gas detection and ventilation compatibility, and a minimum one-year full manufacturer's warranty.

The contract type is Firm Fixed-Price. NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing; PSC is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies. Offerors must provide technical information demonstrating compliance with all requirements, detailed pricing, country of manufacture information, and an Accessibility Conformance Report addressing Section 508 standards. Award will be made to the lowest-priced technically acceptable and responsible offeror. Offers are held firm through September 30, 2026. Payment terms are net 30 days after government acceptance via the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform.