Portable Cryostat with UV Capability – Market Research for Made In America Act Compliant Availability
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 12639526SL001
- Agency
-
Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- PSC
- 6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
- Place of performance
- Texas 78550, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a Sources Sought Notice to conduct market research on the domestic availability of portable cryostat systems with UV decontamination capability. This is a pre-solicitation notice issued under FAR Part 10 and is not a formal solicitation; therefore, no award will be made directly from this notice. The government seeks information from vendors capable of providing a benchtop, portable cryostat system designed for laboratory or field support use that complies with the Made in America Act and meets specified technical requirements for precision histological sectioning. Key specifications include a single refrigeration system maintaining chamber temperatures of approximately -30°C, a manual microtome with a feed range of 2-12 micrometers per section, a specimen quickfreeze system capable of reaching -40°C with digital temperature display, and a cutting chamber constructed of polished stainless steel with various detachable components and an ABS polymer cabinet with PVC coating. The deadline for vendors to submit information in response to this Sources Sought Notice is April 3, 2026, providing interested parties with approximately two weeks to prepare and submit their responses. The government will use vendor responses to determine whether a qualified domestic product exists that meets all requirements; if no domestic vendor can satisfy these specifications, the government may issue a Nonavailability Determination and pursue alternative procurement options.
This opportunity carries no set-aside designation, meaning it is open to all eligible vendors regardless of business size or status. No incumbent contractors or current award holders are identified in this notice. The Sources Sought Notice does not disclose a specific award value or budget range, as the purpose of this market research phase is solely to assess product availability and domestic manufacturing capability rather than to establish a binding contractual obligation. The applicable NAICS code is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), and the PSC code is 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies), indicating this procurement falls within the analytical laboratory equipment sector. Vendors should note that this market research may support a potential Nonavailability Determination, which could influence future procurement strategies and contract award decisions if domestic solutions meeting all technical specifications cannot be identified.
Notice text
SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE
Portable Cryostat with UV Capability – Market Research for Domestic Availability
This Sources Sought Notice is issued under FAR Part 10 to determine whether a government registered vendor can meet the required specifications listed below for equipment required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This is NOT a solicitation, and no award will be made from this notice.
The Government is seeking information from vendors capable of providing the salient characteristics below.
The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is conducting market research to determine the availability of a portable cryostat system that meets the Made in America Act and the minimum specifications described below. This Sources Sought Notice may support a potential Nonavailability Determination if no domestic product meets these requirements.
NAICS and PSC Codes
- NAICS: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- PSC: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Minimum Required Technical Specifications
The Government requires a bench‑top, portable cryostat system fitted with UV decontamination system capable of precision histological sectioning under cold conditions. The system must meet or exceed all of the following salient characteristics:
Cryostat System Requirements
- Bench‑top, portable cryostat instrument designed for laboratory or field support use.
- Single refrigeration system capable of maintaining chamber temperatures of approximately –30°C.
- Manual microtome with a feed range of 2–12 micrometers (µm) per section.
- Specimen quick‑freeze system capable of reaching –40°C, with digital temperature display.
- Programmable automatic defrost functionality built into the cryostat chamber.
- Cutting chamber constructed of polished stainless steel, including:
- Detachable cold storage bar
- Detachable storage shelf
- Cabinet constructed of ABS polymer and rustproof steel, coated with PVC for resistance to scratches, solvents, and detergents.
- Specimen Orientation: Adjustable tilt angle 0-12 degrees.
- Operation via manual handwheel (not powered).
- System must accept and use disposable long‑life blades compatible with a standard knife holder (Magnacut‑type or equivalent).
- System should enable production of high‑quality sections similar to those produced by a full‑size cryostat.
Required Accessories and Components
The system must include, at a minimum, the following components and accessories (all listed in the uploaded documentation):
Standard Accessories
- Anti‑roll plate
- Two (2) object holders
- Knife cleaning brush
- Detachable shelf
- Debris tray
- Blade removal tool
- Spare set of fuses
- Low‑temperature grease
- Cryospray freezing spray
- Cryo‑M‑Bed embedding compound
- Insulated cover
- Operating manual
Knife Holder and Blade Requirements
- Magnacut knife holder (or equivalent)
- Ten (10) long‑life disposable blades (C‑profile acceptable)
Optional UV Decontamination Module (Government May Require)
- Ultraviolet night decontamination unit consisting of:
- Night‑time plug
- Power supply
- Germicidal UV lamp
Optional Cutting Tool
- Tungsten carbide‑tipped knife, approx. 228 × 38 × 6 mm, suitable for bone sectioning (resharpened at manufacturer only).
Information Requested from Respondents
USDA is seeking responses from U.S. manufacturers and distributors of Made in America Act compliant sources who can provide a portable cryostat meeting the specifications above.
Respondents must submit:
- Company information (UEI, address, business size, manufacturing location).
- Technical capability statement addressing each salient characteristic listed.
- Evidence that the product is manufactured in the United States.
- Technical literature, datasheets, or product documentation.
- Availability/lead time and warranty information.
- Description of any areas where specifications cannot be met, and why.
Submission Instructions
Submit responses via email with subject line:
“Sources Sought Response – Portable Cryostat with UV Capability”
Send to:
samuel.lopez@usda.gov
Response Due Date: 5:00 P.M. MT on 3 April 2026
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