Fluorescent Microscope, USDA APHIS Edinburg, TX

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking to procure one fluorescent microscope for their Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory located at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. This specialized equipment is required to support the precision-guided Sterile Insect Technique project, specifically for generating transgenic mosquito strains using CRISPR technology as part of the Mexican fruit fly eradication program. The technical requirements are comprehensive, including specifications for LED light sources, multiple filter sets compatible with various fluorescent proteins (GFP, mCherry, TagBFP), trinocular tube, and a high-performance CMOS camera system. Vendors must submit technical proposals, price proposals, and required representations and certifications by email to paige.francis@usda.gov by 5:00 PM EST on September 24, 2025. The evaluation will be conducted on a price-only basis among technically sufficient proposals that meet the government's detailed requirements.

This solicitation is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. The procurement involves the acquisition of a single fluorescent microscope unit with associated accessories and components, with delivery and acceptance required at Moore Air Base Building 6414 in Edinburg, Texas. The period of performance extends from the date of award through 60 days after award, providing a narrow window for delivery and installation. While specific dollar amounts are not disclosed in the available documentation, the pricing schedule includes line items for the microscope, accessories, and shipping costs. Offerors must maintain active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with standard Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses governing commercial item acquisitions under simplified acquisition procedures.