Integrated Digital Imaging and Laser Microdissection System for Human and Animal Brain Tissue Analyses

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

Additional information regarding USU can be found on our website: www.usuhs.mil.

USU has a requirement for a 5 piece "Integrated Digital Imaging and Laser Microdissection System for Human and Animal Brain Tissue Analyses", to include either extended warranties or options periods for maintenance.

The intended purpose of this system is to:
1. Laser Microdissection or Laser Capture Microdissection subcomponent - will sample selected specific cellular populations of brain specimens for use in detailed proteomic, genomic, and molecular biological analyses.

2. Cryostat Station sub-component - will develop cryosection samples to preserve cell morphology and biologic integrity of fixed and unfixed nervous system tissue specimens.

3. Ultramicrotome Electron Microscope sub-component - will perform ultramicrotomy sectioning on selected nervous system samples to preserve cell morphology and biologic integrity of unfixed specimens for ultrathin sectioning for electron microscope investigations.

4. Vibrating Blade Automated Microtome sub-component - will perform semi- and fully automated cutting of fresh and fixed brain tissue samples using a vibrating blade microtome in order to preserve cell morphology and robust antigenicity.

5. Digital Pathology Scanner sub-component - will digitally scan to document histologic and immunohistochemistry details, outline neuroanatomical regions, sub-regions, cortical layers, and document cell sampling strategy. Scanner will also perform morphometric analyses of neuropathological slides, including oversized 2X3 inch slides.

As a whole, these five sub-components together create an integrated digital imaging-histology system for morphometric, proteomic, genomic, and molecular biological analyses of ultrastructural and microscopic tissue components of human and animal brain and spinal cord specimens. This integrated system will add a valuable resource for USU and Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) (www.usuhs.edu/cnrm) researchers engaged in neuropathological research with special focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI). The system will be housed in the CNRM Neuropathology facility in Rockville, Maryland. It will not be limited to CNRM use though. The system enables a range of ultramicrotomy functions from ultra-thin section for EM, to microdissection of single cells for both genomic and proteomic analyses. This system will add to existing CNRM Neuropathology Core facility equipment to engage in an Integrative tissue analysis system to support TBI-related research on both human and animal brain tissues. This system will enable CNRM to analyze at cellular and subcellular levels aspects of molecular and biochemical pathological changes associated with TBI.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This is a request for quotes (RFQ) for commercial items in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 - Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures, to include FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. This RFQ incorporates all provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-89 (July 14, 2016) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) (June 30, 2016).

This requirement is set-aside for small business concerns under NAICS code 334516, (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) (Insert NAICS Title) with a size standard of 1000 employees. In order to be eligible for award, offerors must be registered in www.SAM.gov, with completed representations and certifications by the close date of the solicitation.

This requirement is subject to the non-manufacturer rule. Offerors responding to this requirement must provide quotes for (insert description of supply/equipment) manufactured by small business concerns. Any offeror submitting a quote for a (insert description of supply/equipment) by a company other than themselves, must provide the name of the manufacturer. The manufacturer's socio-economic status will be verified in SAM.gov.

Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple quotes for alternative solutions meeting the requirements and each quote which will be evaluated separately by the Government.

Please see attachments for more information.