Stereomicroscopes

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the procurement of five Zeiss Stemi 508 stereomicroscope systems for forensic laboratory use in Richland County. The detailed solicitation specifies the acquisition of five complete microscope units with precise configurations, including boom stands, articulated boom arms, tilting bonder arm mounts, Proline 80 LED Ring Illuminators, and multiple high-definition cameras with HDMI/USB outputs. The procurement requires vendors to provide on-site demonstration of equipment specifications, installation, technical support within 24 hours of request, and training within ten days of delivery. Key dates for this procurement include a question deadline of February 15, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., and an offer submission deadline of February 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., with award notification scheduled for February 22, 2022. The successful contractor must deliver the equipment within thirty days of purchase order receipt to SLED Forensic Lab locations in Columbia, South Carolina. Evaluation will be based on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with a strict requirement that only Zeiss Stemi 508 models meeting the exact outlined specifications will be accepted, and no substitutions will be permitted.

The solicitation mandates vendor registration with the State of South Carolina prior to bid submission and requires the successful vendor to be capable of providing annual service, emergency service, and NIST-traceable calibration for the microscope and camera systems. All procured items must be new and delivered F.O.B. destination, with the state explicitly noting that sales or use taxes will not be included in the contract price. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the document, the procurement appears open to qualified vendors who can meet the stringent technical specifications. The solicitation does not disclose a specific budget range or total procurement value, though it involves five complete stereomicroscope systems with associated high-definition imaging equipment. The vendor must demonstrate comprehensive technical capabilities, including the ability to provide immediate technical support, comprehensive training, and ongoing calibration and maintenance services for the specialized forensic laboratory equipment.