Olympus Microscope System Upgrade

Background: 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.

The mission of the USU is to provide the highest quality education programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services.

Intended Recipient: Alliant Healthcare Products, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Intent to Sole-Source: USU intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Alliant Healthcare Products for an Olympus microscope system upgrade. The Olympus microscope system upgrade encompasses one non-network standalone computer system dedicated to the working on the microscope, one high definition (HD) monitor, one DP80 camera, one Olympus cellSens software package, one bayonet mount camera adapter, one LED light source, one Light guide adapter, two filter cubes: one to detect specific probes of different proteins and one to provide a detailed view of cells.

USU's Pathology (PAT) Department will utilize the microscope system upgrade to help researchers within the PAT Department visualize how pathogenic proteins may alter the cellular function this permitting continued research and definition of the cellular location of multiple proteins which are involved in pathology of diseases including infections and cancer.

Sole Source Justification: The current system is obsolete and requires updated parts in order to regain functionality. Olympus is the sole manufacturer of the Olympus microscope system and Olympus does not use authorized distributors to provide services. As such, Olympus is the only company that can provide the upgrades to the system. There are no other entities that can provide the specific upgrade to PAT's Olympus microscope system. The Olympus microscope system will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(1)(i).

In accordance with 5.207(c)(16)(ii), all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and that the interested potential offeror could provide the Olympus microscope system. Information received will be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

Responses must be received via email at amanda.talley@usuhs.edu by 12:00PM on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

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