USNA Confocal Microscope System

The Department of the Navy Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk is procuring a confocal microscope system for the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Chemistry Department to support research and project-based learning in biological chemistry. The system must meet comprehensive technical specifications including motorized XY and Z-stage controls, Plan Apochromatic objectives ranging from 4x to 60x magnification, a high-resolution sCMOS camera, hybrid laser scanning capability with four solid-state lasers covering 405-640 nm spectrum, four GaAsP detectors, and spectral imaging capability achieving approximately 100 nm x-y and 300 nm z-resolution. The Government intends to award this Firm, Fixed Price contract on a sole-source basis to Nikon Instruments Inc. under the authority of FAR 12.102(a); however, all responsible sources may submit quotes by the deadline. Price quotes must be held firm for 120 days and include complete pricing breakdowns, signed Standard Form 1449, and supporting documentation such as invoices and sales history. The submission deadline is 2:00 PM EST on Monday, April 27, 2026, with electronic submission required to Cody Ellis at cody.c.ellis.civ@us.navy.mil.

No small business set-aside has been designated for this procurement. The Government has identified Nikon Instruments Inc. as the sole capable vendor based on market research and a Sources Sought Notice posted on December 10, 2025, which resulted in only two responses, with only Nikon demonstrating the necessary technical expertise. The contract involves the procurement of one confocal microscope system (CLIN 0001), with delivery required within 120 days of award to Michelson Hall, 572M Holloway Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21402. The NAICS code is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business standard of 1,000 employees, and the contract will be funded with FY26 Navy Operations & Maintenance appropriations. The specific system being procured is the Nikon AX-R Confocal Imaging System with four lasers and four GaAsP detectors, designed to support imaging of objects ranging from 1-500 microns with high-resolution capabilities for biological research applications.