MICEF High Resolution Electron Microscope

Added: Aug 26, 2016 10:14 am Description: The new Multi-Institute Cryo-EM Facility (MICEF) is in need of a cutting-edge transmission electron microscope system for very high-resolution (better than 3 Angstrom) single-particle cryo-EM studies, as well as cryo-electron tomography of reconstituted preparations, cells, and tissues. This instrument will be a part of a new user facility for multiple intramural institutes.

(i) "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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued."

(ii) The solicitation number is NHLBI-CSB-HL-2016-181-JML and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document, the incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-89-1 effective August 15, 2016.

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. The acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13.5.

(v) The Contractor Requirements are listed below:

(vi) The Contractor shall provide a high resolution electron microscope that meets the following specifications:

• The microscope must be capable of 300 kV accelerating voltage and equipped with a Field-Emission Gun (FEG).
• The microscope must feature a system of condenser lenses capable of achieving true parallel specimen illumination at numerous magnifications, spot sizes, and with variable fields of illumination.
• The microscope must feature constant-power lenses without load-bearing fixturing to ensure maximum stability during long periods of data-collection. In addition:
o All apertures are to be fully computer controlled and motorized
o Two pre-aligned voltages settings: 300kV and 200kV should be provided. Alignments should be a able to be stored and recalled by the user. Additional alignments should be available.
o Fully rotation-free imaging for all magnifications, including low-mag (LM).
o Large (>10mm) objective lens pole-piece gap for high contrast imaging under cryo conditions
o Stage tilt range +/-70deg using 3mm grids
o Automated beam stop for diffraction mode
o Entirely oil-free vacuum system with differential pumping on the electron column
• The microscope must feature an environmental shielding system (thermal and acoustic) to maximize stability and enable the highest-resolution data collection during long periods of data-collection.
• The microscope should provide automatic LN2 filling to maintain cryo-temperatures during long data acquisition runs
• The microscope must feature a system for loading at least 12 cryo-specimens simultaneously to maximize the chance of successful data collection during each experiment. Robotic sample handling must be present to transfer each grid from the cryo-auto-loader to the microscope.
• The microscope must feature a dual-tilt-axis, internal stage system to minimize mechanical drift during data-collection, as well as enabling high-tilt cryo-tomography, that is compatible with the 12 cryo-specimen loading system.
• The microscope must be equipped with a counting direct-electron detector coupled to an inline postcolumn energy filter to enable ultra-high resolution data collection of thicker specimens (cells and tissue sections).
• The microscope must also be equipped with a high-speed camera utilizing a CMOS chip with scintillator for live observation of samples with high-intensity beams as well as instrument alignment.
• The microscope must feature integrated software packages for automated single-particle and tomography data-collection, which are capable of seamlessly controlling both the instrument and detectors, using on a common user interface methodology.

(vii) Delivery Time / Delivery Location:

The contractor shall deliver the high resolution electron microscope to the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research within twelve (12) months of the receipt of the award.

National Institute of Health, NHLBI
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892

(viii) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(ix) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, is applicable. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Contract award shall be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer, in conforming to this RFQ, provides the overall best value to the Government, technical, past performance, and cost evaluation factors considered. The Government's objective is to obtain the highest technical quality considered necessary to achieve the project objectives, with a realistic and reasonable cost. Technical and Past Performance evaluation factors are more important than cost. Total points: 100

1. Technical Capability (90 points)

The contractor shall demonstrate its capability to provide a high resolution electron microscope that meets all of the specifications stated above.

2. Past Performance (10 points)

Provide customer surveys or other applicable past performance questionnaires demonstrating work performed relating to on time delivery of similar laboratory equipment. A list of Purchase Orders and/or Contracts providing for services over the past three (3) years may be provided if no applicable surveys or questionnaires are obtainable. If no past performance documents are provided the Contract Officer will base the past performance score on the contracting officer's knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired.

(x) FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, is applicable. An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) of this provision.

(xi) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(xii) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Including the following clauses and Prohibitions:

i. 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation
ii. 52.233-3, Protest After Award
iii. 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim
iv. 52.222-3, Convict Labor
v. 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities
vi. 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity
vii. 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities
viii. 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons
ix. 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases
x. 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management
xi. 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving
xii. 52.244-6, Subcontracts for Commercial Items
xiii. 52.2232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

(xiii) All responses must be received by September 6, 2016 at 9:00 AM and must reference number NHLBI-CSB-HL-2016-181-JML. Responses may be submitted electronically to john.lear@nih.gov or by U.S. mail to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, COAC Services Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6151, Bethesda, MD 20892-7902, Attention: Jonathan M. Lear.