Light sheet microscope system

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
The solicitation number 36C24E18Q9554 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-92.
This requirement will be made using a cascading set-aside under the associated NAICS code 334516 with a small business size standard of 1000.
The full solicitation document is included as an attachment to this notice; to include: a list of contract line items, a Description of requirements for the items to be acquired, SOW/PWS, Date(s) and place(s) of delivery, and applicable clauses and provisions.
Evaluation procedures: Evaluation of offers will be made in accordance with FAR 13.106-2, and award made on the basis of lowest price technically acceptable.
The required system characteristics are based on LifeCanvas Technologies SmartSPIM Light Sheet Microscope system (or equal to better) manufactured by LifeCanvas Technologies Inc. and is being solicited Brand Name or Equal.
The salient features are:
Process a wide range of sample sizes, including large specimens
High axial resolution from different perspectives
High speed volumetric imaging (able to image a mouse hemisphere in less than 15 minutes or a whole mouse brain in less than 25 minutes at 1.75µm x 1.75µm x 4µm voxel size)
Ability to use custom and commercially available objectives
Custom illumination and detection optics optimized for all current large format objectives and camera
Automated focus compensation for RI mismatches and chromatic focal shifts
Compatible with both aqueous and organic clearing methods
Minimum lateral sampling of 3.6x = 1.8 µm/pix; 10x = 0.64 µm/pix
Minimum axial resolution of 3.6x, NA 0.2, PSFz
Minimum Field of View: 3.6x = 3700 µm ; 10x* = 1300 µm
Minimum Imaging Speed: 12-20 FPS during z-stack acquisition
Minimum camera resolution: 2048 x 2048 sCMOS with rolling shutter synchronized to light sheet for confocal detection.
Up to 6 in a single combiner.
Wavelengths from 488 785 nm (White light laser compatible substitution possible)
Price shall include freight and installation
Twelve months of support along with the twelve month warranty
The following provisions apply to this acquisition:
52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial, (ix) A statement regarding the applicability of
Offerors are advised to include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, with its offer.
52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items,
52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items,
52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal
852.211-73, Brand name or equal.
852.246-70, Guarantee
Additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions determined by the contracting officer:
Set Aside Cascading set-aside procedures.
Any award resulting from this solicitation will be made using a cascading set-aside order of precedence as follows:
1. In accordance with FAR Subpart 19.1405 and VAAR Subpart 819.7005, any award under this solicitation will be made on a competitive basis first to an eligible Service Disabled Veteran Owned small business [SDVOSB] concern provided that the conditions of 38 U.S.C. 8127(d) are met (the VA Rule of Two) whereby the Contracting Officer receives adequate competition of two or more small business concerns owned and controlled by Veterans, and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers the best value to the United States.
2. If there is inadequate competition for award to an SDVOSB concern, the SDVOSB set-aside shall be withdrawn and cascaded to the next contracting order of priority in accordance with VAAR 819.7004, which is Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in VAAR 819.7006 provided that the conditions of 38 U.S.C. 8127(d) are met (the VA Rule of Two) whereby the Contracting Officer receives adequate competition of two or more small business concerns owned and controlled by Veterans, and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers the best value to the United States.
3. If there continues to be inadequate competition between SDVOSB and VOSB concerns, the cascading will continue through the contracting order of priority in accordance with VAAR 819.7004 and FAR 19.203. If the contracting officer determines that offers from small business concerns do not meet the solicitation requirements in terms of technical acceptability, past performance, and fair market price, the small business set-aside[s] will be withdrawn and award will be made based on full and open competition.
Adequate competition:
Adequate competition shall be deemed to exist if At least two competitive offers are received from qualified, responsible business concerns at the set-aside tier under consideration; and Award could be made at fair market price as determined in accordance with FAR 19.202-6.
The VA contracting officer reserves the right to consider competitive proposals submitted from all responsible offerors (including large businesses) in determining the fair market price.
Due date and submission of quotes:
The quotes are due on 9/18/2018 at 10:00 AM and shall be directed electronically to Michael.haydo@va.gov. Quotes shall be marked with the solicitation number.
Information regarding the solicitation can be addressed to the Contracting Officer, Michael Haydo, michael.haydo@va.gov.