Multi-Purpose Microscope

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks a multi-purpose microscope via Request for Quotation, with proposals due September 21, 2026, and questions due September 17 at 4:00 PM Central Time. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside; all responsible sources may submit.

Place of performance and delivery is Newport, Oregon at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, USDA FSCRU Aquaculture facility, 2030 SW Marine Science Drive. Delivery is required within 30 calendar days of award on an F.O.B. Destination basis.

The microscope must feature hybrid upright and inverted configurations in a compact footprint of 18" width by 25" depth with vertical clearance under 25". The instrument must support brightfield and phase-contrast imaging with upgrade capability to fluorescence, magnification range of 1.25x to 100x, PLAN lenses for extended field of vision, and a color camera optimized for true-color brightfield imaging that operates independently without requiring a separate computer or display. The requirement supports shellfish development analysis, harmful algal bloom monitoring, and microbiology/pathology studies.

The Government anticipates awarding one firm-fixed price contract. Evaluation follows lowest price technically acceptable methodology, assessing only the lowest priced quotation initially for technical acceptability; if unacceptable, evaluation proceeds sequentially through higher-priced offers until the lowest priced technically acceptable offer is identified. Technical acceptability requires products to meet or exceed all salient characteristics, be clearly identified by brand name, make, and model number or as an equal product, include sufficient descriptive literature demonstrating compliance, and be available within specified delivery timeframes. Past performance will be rated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable. Offerors must hold pricing firm for 90 calendar days from offer receipt date. NAICS code 334516 applies, with a 1,000-employee small business size standard. Contact jessica.pacheco@usda.gov for questions.