Gloqube plus dual chamber glow discharge system

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation number is 75N98026Q01049. This solicitation is issued as a competitive combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services. The Government intends to award a contract or purchase order resulting from this solicitation using full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 12.603, Streamlined Solicitation for Commercial Products or Commercial Services, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000.00.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director, Office of Acquisitions, seeks to award a Firm-Fixed-Price to the responsible offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the Government.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01 March 13, 2026.

The associated NAICS code is 334516, and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.
This requirement is SET-ASIDE for SMALL BUSINESSES.

Description of Requirement:

1 EACH - EMS-GLO-2  GloQube® Plus Dual Chamber Glow Discharge System 

1 EACH - 13034  Pfeiffer Duo 6 Rotary Vacuum Pump

1 EACH – 71175-01 EMS Grid Prep Holder, 36 Capacity

1 CHARGE – Shipping

The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Add any agency-specific instructions as required.

The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Award will be made to the contractor providing the most advantageous quote to the government, technical factors and cost/price considered. The technical factors are as follows: The contractor will be evaluated on their capability to provide the product to the specifications as stated on the solicitation.
· The system must include two independent vacuum plasma chambers to allow separation of in-air and chemical vapor glow discharge processes. This is required to prevent cross-contamination and enable reproducible grid preparation under distinct surface chemistries.
· The system must support both in-air plasma treatment and chemical vapor plasma treatment to control surface hydrophilicity, charge, and chemical functionality of transmission electron microscopy grids.
· The system must provide automatic and controlled delivery of chemical vapor using sealed reagent containers to ensure reproducible vapor concentrations and safe handling of reagents.
· The system must include automatic flush and purge cycles to remove residual gases, reduce water vapor and oxygen contamination, and ensure reproducibility between runs.
· The system must support both positive and negative glow discharge modes to enable treatment of a wide range of biological samples, including proteins, ribonucleic acids, antibodies, and ribonucleic acid–protein complexes.
· The system must provide programmable, recipe-based process control with user-defined protocols and secure user profiles to ensure reproducibility across experiments and multiple users.
· The system must include an integrated vacuum system with pressure monitoring (e.g., Pirani gauge) capable of operating in the range of approximately 0.1 to 1 mbar, with rapid pump-down to operational vacuum in approximately 60 seconds.
· The system must support short process cycle times (typically less than two minutes for in-air treatments) to enable efficient cryo-electron microscopy grid preparation workflows.
· The system must include an adjustable sample stage with multiple height settings to ensure consistent plasma exposure and reproducible treatment conditions.
· The system must accommodate standard transmission electron microscopy grid holders and glass slide formats, including multi-grid holders (like 36-grid holders), to support high-throughput preparation.
· The system must include filtered gas inlets and controlled venting options (slow and fast vent) to minimize sample disturbance and prevent contamination.
· The system must include high-voltage safety interlocks and controlled reagent handling systems to ensure safe operation during plasma generation and chemical vapor use.
· The system must provide intuitive touchscreen control with data logging and export capability to allow monitoring and reproducibility of process parameters.
· The system must have a compact benchtop footprint (~366 mm W x 600 mm D x 336 mm H with pump) and operate on standard laboratory power (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz) to allow installation within existing laboratory infrastructure.
· The system must include a compatible vacuum pump capable of achieving the required operating vacuum (approximately 0.1–1 mbar).
· The system must include a 36-grid capacity transmission electron microscopy grid holder to support efficient processing of multiple grids per cycle.
· The system must include all required vacuum connections and fittings necessary for full operation of the instrument.
Technical factors outweigh cost.

A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, issued within the time specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. The Government reserves the right to accept any offer before the expiration date.

Offerors shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, with their offer.

FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

Submission Requirements:

Responses must include sufficient information to demonstrate the offeror’s capability to provide the required product or service. Quotes shall include, at a minimum:

•    Unit and total price 
•    Shipping and handling costs 
•    Delivery timeframe after award 
•    Delivery terms 
•    F.O.B. point (destination) 
•    Product or catalog numbers (if applicable) 
•    Product/service description 

Additional evaluation considerations may include past performance, warranty, lifecycle cost, maintenance availability, and environmental or energy efficiency.

Responses must include the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and business size certification. All offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.

All responses must be received by August 31, 2026, at 9:00am EST and must reference solicitation number 75N98026Q01049. Responses may be submitted electronically to Haunp@mail.nih.gov.