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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 16, 2002 FBO #0076
SOLICITATION NOTICE

66 -- UV Ready Laser Scanning Microscope System

Notice Date

2/14/2002
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Br., 6120 Executive Blvd. EPS Room 604, Rockville, MD, 20852
 

ZIP Code

20852
 

Solicitation Number

RFQ-NCI-20020-NG
 

Response Due

2/25/2002
 

Archive Date

3/12/2002
 

Point of Contact

Malinda Holdcraft, Purchasing Agent, Phone (301) 402-4509, Fax (301) 402-4513, - Caren Rasmussen, Lead Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 402-4509, Fax (301) 402-4513,
 

E-Mail Address

mh139x@nih.gov, rasmusc@mail.nih.gov
 

Description

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Light Imaging Facility (LIF) plans to procure state-of-the-art light imaging equipment from Carl Zeiss, Inc., One Zeiss Drive, Thomwood, New York 10594. The LIF has a growing number of scientists in the Division on Intramural Research (DIR) that require access to a laser scanning confocal microscope to collect optical sections of fluorescent specimens. Common applications include: visualizing immunofluorescence in tissue culture cells, brain slices, and intact organisms; reconstructing the three dimensional structure of thick specimens; capturing time lapse movies of cells expressing proteins tagged with variants of the Green Fluorescent Protein; and monitoring cellular physiology with fluorescent indicator dyes. A common problem in laser scanning confocal microscopy is difficulty in distinguishing the signals of fluorophores with overlapping excitation and emission spectra. An innovative device for overcoming this problem was designed and patented by Carl Zeiss, Inc. The device, called a "Meta-Detector", is exclusively for use with the Zeiss LSM 510 laser scanning confocal microscope. The Meta-Detector consists of an optical grating and 32-channel detector. To collect an image, the confocal microscope is used to scan the specimen with a laser in a raster-pattern. The laser excites fluorophores causing them to emit fluorescence. The optical grating separates and directs the emission wavelengths to different channels of the Meta-Detector. The fluorescence emission spectrum at each pixel in the image is recorded. Software for deconvolving the spectra so as to be able to identify the fluorophores present at each point in the image is included with the system. This technology makes it possible to discriminate the fluorescence signals produced by fluorophores with overlapping excitation and emission spectra, such as the yellow-green fluorophores: FITC, GFP and YFP. In particular, scientists in several laboratories need access to a microscope that can discriminate between variants of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in order to localize GFP-fusion proteins in living cells. The best GFP variants for studies in living cells are YFP, GFP and DsRed. These are difficult to discriminate using conventional fluorescence filters but can be discriminated with the Zeiss Meta-Detector. The system will have two conventional fluoroescence detectors with independent detector pinholes for circumstances in which the sensitivity of the conventional detectors is essential. The monitor diode is needed to monitor laser output and the transmitted light detector is required for imaging with differential intererence In addition, the system will include the optical elements needed to attach an existing UV laser (Coherent Enterprise), which will allow detection of UV fluorophores. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 PM EST, on February 25, 2002. For further information please contact Malinda Holdcraft, Purchasing Agent (301)-402-4509. 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.
 

Place of Performance

Address: NIH/NINDS, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD

Zip Code: 20892

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00026617-W 20020216/020214213111 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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