SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- ULTRAMICROTOME SYSTEM
- Notice Date
- 3/3/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Field Finance & Acquisition Services, HFT-320, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, Arkansas, 72079-9502
- ZIP Code
- 72079-9502
- Solicitation Number
- FDA1054614
- Archive Date
- 3/25/2009
- Point of Contact
- Regina R. Williams,, Phone: (870) 543-7012, Barbara J Arnold,, Phone: (870) 543-7483
- E-Mail Address
-
regina.williams@fda.hhs.gov, barbara.arnold@fda.hhs.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability and capability of potential small businesses (including HUBZone firms; certified 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses. This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposals, Solicitation, Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained herein. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this sources sought. Any responses received will not be used as a proposal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking to identify sources that can provide the following equipment: 1. Ultramicrotome System designed specifically for both biological and industrial electron microscopy (EM) samples. Specifications: Anti-vibration equipment needed to ensure precise sectioning Internal system to isolate the microtome from external vibration Isolation of the specimen arm to prevent mechanical vibration Gravity stroke to protect the specimen arm from vibration Anti-static equipment needs to prevent build up of electrostatic charges at the sample surface Basic instrument needs built-in antistatic equipment to protect the sample surface. Viewing system needs Must have stereo microscope with multiple ergonomic settings to combat fatigue and accommodate multiple users. Must have ergonomic adaptations for both right and left hand users. Must have eucentric capabilities that allow for examination of specimens regardless of water level for cryogenic samples. Defined positioning marks for microscope to ensure optimum alignment for cutting with either glass or diamond knives. Must have clear and unhindered view of the rear of the chamber for specimen transfer under cryogenic conditions. Lighting Control Specifications: Independent brightness control for Room temperature; Cryogenic operation; Specimen transfer. Cool LED light sources for backlight, toplight and specimen illumination. Cable Connection Specifications: Non interfering hot plugs for safe connections of all cables while instrument is plugged into the main power supply. Plugs must be easy to reach with fast connect/disconnect capabilities. Control System Specifications: Control of all systems (microtome, cryogenic chamber and ionizer) with single touch screen for ease of use regardless of right or left handed operator. On screen controls and touch HELP menus for fast and safe alignment of knife and specimen. Must be able to program, internally store and easily display settings for at least 5 users for settings such as; cutting speed, feed, chamber temperature, knife position and specimen parameters. Must have section counter and feed totalizer controls Counting controls must be for up and down as well as east and west. Knife Operation Specifications: Fully motorized knife stage Motorization must be for both north-south and east-west movement of knife stage; Outside-of-chamber controls for knife alignment [eucentric stage rotation and center click stop]. Allow easy and precise measurement of block size and inclusions. Chamber must have 2 rotating knife holders to hold glass or diamond knives and trimming tools. Enable fast positioning of sample for trimming Needs 90° indication marks of the segment arc and specimen arm; Needs to have an automatic trimming mode for speed of sample processing. 2. Cryogenic Chamber for Ultramicrotome Specifications: Designed for sampling of biological as well as industrial samples at temperatures from -15°C to -185°C. Sections must be suitable for TEM, LM, SEM and AFM. Controls must be integrated into that of the ultramicrotome to which it is attached and controls shall be included in one control panel for ease of use. Cryo chamber must be designed to physically attach to the ultramicrotome in use to prevent external vibration. Hand rests for both right and left hand operation for ergonomics. Heated walls to prevent ice condensation during extended periods of use and bake-off. Adjustable armrests for ergonomics. Multiple built-in LED illumination of the cryogenic chamber with individual brightness controls for the cryo stage as well as backlighting. Liquid nitrogen filling system: Operates at a low noise level to avoid disturbance of operator; Pressure-less filling system. Connecting hose for automatic filling that is insulated and threaded. Display of liquid nitrogen levels in chamber and dewar. Special collection holders for AFM [atomic force microscopy] specimen carrier inserts. Multiple rotating knife holders for either glass or diamond knives with individual knife angle settings for sectioning and trimming. Contact-free specimen arm positioned through the chamber wall to eliminate external vibration and also provide a thermal barrier. Operating system with memory display for the following to facilitate a quick change from sectioning to trimming: 5 sets of advance and sectioning speeds 4 sets of temperature settings Cryotools that can be mounted in knife holders for safe and quick transfer of frozen sections. Individual temperature controls for gas, knife and specimen. Outside control of eucentric knife rotation with center clickstop for ease of alignment of blockface and knife. Specimen loading system that allows for maximum safety for knife and specimen. Rapid cooling function to save time when cooling down to temperatures below -165°C. 3. Automated Tissue Processor Specifications: Stainless steel internal surface. Turntable for either 12 or 24 EM vials. Keyboard operation with lock function. Battery backup in event of power interruption. Remote control alarm. Software programming to allow: Memory for large number of programs (99); Programming steps between 0-100 hrs; Pre-set and programmable (from graphics interface) reagent list; Delay start; Programmable specimen agitation (0-5Hz); Capability to print protocols. Printer connection. Liquid impermeable keyboard. Fume exhaust system with 3 meter exhaust hose. Heater-cooling unit with temperatures between +4 to +60 degree C. Vial sealing system for 24 vials and sealing lid for heater-cooler. 4. EM kit for Automated Tissue Processor. 5. Glass Knifemaker Specifications: Balanced break with mechanism above the glass. Simplified glass alignment system. Breaks multiple sized glass strips (6.4, 8, and 10mm). Two scoring positions (long for blocks and halves; short for free break). Delivers high ratio of 45 degree knives. Ergonomic design. 6. Electron Microscope Sample Automatic Contrast System Specifications: Keyboard Operation. Program controlled peristaltic pump. Built in battery backup in event of power interruption. Software programming to allow: Up to 10 separate programs in memory; Time setting for up to 99 hrs per program; Temperature setting for room-temperature to +60 degree C; Menu programming to change chamber overfill and rinse time; Error codes with service routine. USB connection for transfer of run data to PC. Liquid impermeable keyboard. Grid support plates for 20 grids. 7. Ultrastain II Kit for the EM Sample Automatic Contrasting System. 8. Three (3) mm 45 Degree RT Diamond Knife. 9. Thirty-five (35) Degree Cryo Immuno Knife. 10. Forty-five (45) Degree Diamond Trimming Tool. Companies are encouraged to respond if they have the capability to provide the identified items. Interested small business potential offerors are encouraged to respond to this notice. However, be advised that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of respondents capacity and capability to provide the required specified instrument. Interested offerors should submit their capability statement not exceeding fifteen (15) pages in length, excluding standard brochures. Potential contractors must indicate business size, proof of any set-aside certification and companys DUNS number and provide a contact name, the mailing address, phone number, email address of point of contact, and reference FDA1054614 identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. Please provide the following information to determine if the company can meet the requirement: All descriptive material necessary for the government to determine whether the product offered meets the technical requirements including: technical specifications, descriptive material, literature, brochures and other information corresponding to each item, which demonstrates the capabilities of the contractors supplies. Interested Contractors must respond with capability statements which are due in person, by mail, fax or email to the point of contact listed below on or before March 10, 2009 by 1:00 pm (Central Time in Jefferson, Arkansas) at the Food and Drug Administration, National Center for Toxicological Research, Attn: Regina Williams, 3900 NCTR Road, HFT-320, Jefferson, AR 72079-9502.
- Web Link
-
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=05915d6ac7a6cbf7638a35c97a3eff91&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Place of Performance
- Address: National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, Arkansas, 72079, United States
- Zip Code: 72079
- Zip Code: 72079
- Record
- SN01760932-W 20090305/090303221039-05915d6ac7a6cbf7638a35c97a3eff91 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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