Gatan Rio Electron Microscopy Camera

This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with Gatan Inc, Pleasanton, California to procure a Rio Camera Model #1809.
The Electron Microscopy (EM) Unit of the Research Technologies Branch (RTB) is dedicated to providing state-of- the-art technologies to support the ultrastructural imaging needs of NIAID scientists both in the Bethesda, Maryland, area and at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. The facility provides sample preparation and analysis ranging from basic to high resolution structural studies to immuno-localization of selected antigens for a wide array of specimens. A variety of methods, protocols, and equipment are employed to accommodate different preparative and imaging needs. Real-time viewing of samples by video image-sharing is available to NIAID users, enabling scientists at distant locations the ability to view samples simultaneously with microscopy staff. In order to continue to provide for the needs of NIAID researchers, the RTB must continue to upgrade and expand its instruments.

The Research Technologies Branch, Electron Microscopy Unit requires the purchase of a camera with good resolution, speed, and ease of use which will dramatically improve the user experience and results in routine EM imaging, diffraction studies, high-speed tomography, and 4D STEM.

The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide comparable services may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-NIAID-1919722) to Skye Duffner at skye.duffner@nih.gov by 2:00 pm eastern standard time Monday, August 22, 2018. All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

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