NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: 3i Marianas Super-Resolution Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System with C-Shaper

The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics (LCBG) at the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires one (1) Intelligent Image Innovations (3i) Marianas Super-Resolution Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System with C-Shaper.

The Office of Acquisitions (OA) plans to procure, on a sole source basis, this specialized device from:

Intelligent Image Innovations, Inc. (3i) (3575 Ringsby Court, Suite 102 Denver, CO 80216 SAM UEI: ZWTEVUTYZ9Z6

The response close date of this notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(a)(1). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and, in accordance with FAR 13, is exempt from requirements in FAR Part 6.  The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing; and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

The LCBG examines three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures called organoids for its cancer research.  Imaging these 3D organoids requires a spinning disk confocal microscope with Super Resolution (SR) that is optimized for negating optical aberrations through adaptive optics.  

Spinning disk confocal microscopes are commercially available and produced by a variety of manufacturers.  However, the 3i Marianas Microscopy System differs from other Super-Resolution spinning disk confocal microscopes because of 3i’s proprietary C-Shaper adaptive optics module that is fully integrated for spinning disk confocal microscopy.  Adaptive optics address aberrations due to unavoidable refractive index mismatches and unpredictable specimen environments.  This cutting-edge application of adaptive optics enhances the imaging capabilities of the Marianas Microscopy System and makes it especially well-suited for imaging the 3D organoids used by LCBG.

LCBG conducts basic and translational research focused on human genetics, developing new cancer models, and investigating molecular mechanisms, including genetic/epigenetic regulation of gene expression, cell signaling, cell cycle, stemness, oncogene and non-oncogene addiction, and tumor cell-microenvironment interactions. The goal of this research is to understand the mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and metastatic progression and develop new treatments.   As part of this research, the LCBG uses organoid platforms for multiple types of cancer to better personalize patient treatment and to better understand the basis for patient-to-patient differences in response to drugs and mechanisms that regulate drug resistance, metastasis, and histomorphology.

The 3i Marianas Super-Resolution Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System with C-Shaper is a composite system that synchronizes different commercial microscopy tools into one integrated imaging system that is customized to the scientific needs of the lab.  As a composite system, the commercial components include a spinning disc microscope, a Z-piezo stage, and a fast and sensitive camera. By customizing the configuration of these commercial microscopy tools, the 3i Marianas Microscopy System achieves multi-channel fluorescence imaging through rapid image-acquisition with a high-sensitivity detector, allowing for short exposure times.  The Marianas Microscopy System is equipped with 3i’s proprietary C-shaper adaptive optics (AO) and operates on 3i’s proprietary SlideBook digital microscopy software.  The 3i C-Shaper adaptive optics module is fully integrated for spinning disk confocal microscopy, which makes it invaluable for addressing the aberrations due to unavoidable refractive index mismatches and unpredictable specimen environments.

High-quality imaging with adaptive optics is critical to the research of the NCI/CCR/LCBG.  A Super-Resolution spinning disk confocal imaging system without adaptive optics would jeopardize the image quality of the organoids used in LCBG experiments.  Degraded image quality would directly impact the cancer research supported by LCBG, which is unacceptable. Therefore, the 3i Marianas Super-Resolution Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System with C-Shaper is best suited for the LCBG’s ongoing organoid research. 

The C-Shaper adaptive optics and SlideBook software are proprietary to Intelligent Image Innovations, Inc. (3i).  These proprietary components along with the commercial microscopy tools that comprise the Marianas System are synchronized by 3i to form their Super-Resolution (SR) Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System. While other SR spinning disk confocal microscopes exist in the commercial marketplace, they do not include an adaptive optics module compatible with spinning disk microscopy.  3i is the sole-source for their Marianas Super-Resolution Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy System with C-Shaper.  To NCI’s knowledge, the manufacturer does not license third party re-sellers.   Therefore, 3i is the only provider that can meet the Government’s needs at this time.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement.  Responses must be received no later than 12:00PM EST, May 28, 2024.  All responses and questions must be in writing and emailed to Lena Lee, Contract Specialist, via electronic mail at lena.lee@nih.gov.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid, current Entity Record, including current Representations and Certifications, in the System for Award Management (SAM) through SAM.gov. Reference: 75N91024Q00093 on all correspondence.

***Please reference the attached Statement of Need for more details pertaining to the nature of the requirement.***

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use the information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. 

Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).