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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF APRIL 24, 2013 FBO #4169
SOLICITATION NOTICE

66 -- Axio Observer, Axio Imager and LSM 700 Microscopes

Notice Date

4/22/2013
 

Notice Type

Presolicitation
 

NAICS

334516 — Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Rockledge Dr. Bethesda, MD, Office of Acquisitions, 6701 Rockledge Dr RKL2/6100 MSC 7902, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-7902
 

ZIP Code

20892-7902
 

Solicitation Number

NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2013-133-CSP
 

Archive Date

5/21/2013
 

Point of Contact

Caitlin Palmer,
 

E-Mail Address

caitlin.palmer@nih.gov
(caitlin.palmer@nih.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

INTRODUCTION This is a pre-solicitation / notice of intent synopsis for a sole source noncompetitive (including brand-name) award to Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC. for the Carl Zeiss Microscopes (LSM 700, Axio Imager, and Axio Observer). The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of the The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) intends to negotiate and award a contract on a sole source noncompetitive basis for the LSM 700, Axio Imager, and Axio Observer to Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC,. One Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594. BACKGROUND The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Undiagnosed Disease Program (UDP) is a program designed to address the needs of persons with debilitating medical conditions for which no diagnosis has been found despite an extensive workup. The goals of the UDP include finding accurate diagnoses and discovering new diseases that provide insight into human physiology and genetics. The unknown nature of these complex diseases requires consultation with various experts from many disciplines internationally. To aid in the UDP's mission, the UDP requires the purchase of the Zeiss microscopes which will allow the laboratory to examine and design a digital repository of pathology slides obtained from UDP patients, and allow for external consultation in the related field. Additionally, the microscopes will allow for histopathology services for the analysis of patient tissues provided by external and internal clinical laboratories and from model organisms that are required to test hypothesis that arise from clinical or model organism observation. Furthermore, the purchase of these microscopes will allow the UDP laboratory to analyze and characterize subcellular abnormalities and interrogate molecular interactions, and perform quantitative, high-throughput screening methodologies for the detection and confirmation of abnormalities with protein glycosylation and vesicular transport. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The delivery period for the microscopes is 13-15 weeks after receipt of the award. The anticipated contract type will be a firm-fixed price contract. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed acquisition is is new requirememt. The Axio Imager Upright microscope will be used to view tissue biopsies obtained from UDP patients either prior to or following admission to the NIH CRC for evaluation. The unknown nature of their disease required consultation from experts from many international disciplines. The purchase of this microscope will allow the ability to scan the pathology slides in high-resolution in order to create a digital repository and the formation of a clinical forum in which patient pathology can be discussed among multiple experts. Additionally, this microscope will give the UDP laboratory the capability to provide histopathology services for the analysis of patient tissues and of model organisms. The Axio Observer Inverted microscope will provide the UDP laboratory the capacity to perform and provide a quantitative, high throughput protocol for detection and confirmation of abnormalities with protein glycosylation and vesicular transport in cultured skin fibroblasts derived from each patient admitted to the NIH CRC. Due to the fact the UDP lab has currently exceeded its capacity of the core facilities, and will be moving to Fishers Lane, the UDP lab must purchase a microscope compatible with the Axiovision and Assaybuilder software that they currently own. The Laser Scanning Confocal microscope, LSM 700, will allow the UDP laboratory the ability to characterize subcellular abnormalities, such as those identified by screens for disorders of protein glycosylation and vesicular transport or by immunohistochemistry in both model organisms and patient cells. The identification of these abnormalities will increase as the screening protocols are uniformly implemented across all UDP patients, and as the generation of high throughput zebrafish mutagenesis and analysis is implemented. Additionally, the LSM confocal microscope will allow the UDP laboratory to interrogate molecular interactions potentially responsible for detected abnormalities identified by implemented proteomic and lipidomic screening. The software required to perform the downstream quantitative analysis is compatible with what the UDP lab has currently developed, and the purchase of a different microscope would require maintenance of an additional operating system, as well as the development of a parallel analysis pipeline. The contractor shall supply all labor, materials, facilities, equipment, and supplies to perform or supply the following: Quantity Catolog No. Description________________________ 1 4109431007994000 Axio Observer Z1 Definite Focus Demo Kit 1 4109251865956000 LSM 700 URGB (405) 2Ch ZEN 2010 Demo #25 1 4109430000992000 Axio Imager Z2 Kit Features of each microscope that are required by the UDP laboratory are as follows: Axio Observer Z1 Microscope • TFT touch screen to visualize present working conditions on the microscope • A docking station for the TFT touch screen with Z-focus control and x,y guide control of the motorized Can-Bus stage • Motorized Z-focus with a step size of 10 nm • Aquastop II (patented water deflection/collection system) to better fit motorized and manual nosepieces in order to protect them from spills • Lightmanager to automatically select the preset optimal light intensity per objective • Contrastmanager to automatically select the preset optimal contrast conditions per objective • Automatic Component Recognition for Filtersets and Objectives to allow for easy switching out of components and easy instantaneous recognition by the microscope without laborious set-ups • Ability to insert an Apotome and do structural sectioning to eliminate background fluorescence • Ability to insert a TIRF slider to pinpoint processes on biological interfaces without background fluorescence interference • Optics must contain negative and positive phase contrast to allow for visualization of all specimen structures • Thermally isolated objectives to sustain the selected temperature • Long-working distance objectives for maximal accessibility to all culter dishes • LD condenser 0.35nA with the ability to perform DIC • 3 position Optovar • Optovar with the magnification of 1.25 • Beampath that allows for apochromatic correction where red, green and blue all image in the same plane • 6x reflector motorized turret with 200ms switching time • Motorized fluorescence beampath with the ability to control attenuation of light and contrast in fluorescence • Laserport that allows for FRAP, uncaging and surgical laser applications with easy accessibility from the side of the stand • Fiber coupled Metal Halide Lamp HXP120 • Sensor technology PT100 to allow for controlled and monitored incubation via a control panel of the microscope or via AxioVison software on the PC • Automatic and rapid temperature changes are now possible to allow for temperature sensitive mutant experiments and heat-shock as well as cold shock mutant experiments • Isolation ring in objective for faster response time for changing temperature with no condensation issues • Sensor placement directly in culture vessel to have better feed-back mechanism close to the specimen • Possibility to perform micromanipulation in CO2 environment • Upgradability of an O2 controlled environment • Long-term incubator XL S1 • Short-term incubator S-TIRF that features Laser safety LSM 700 Confocal Microscope • Variable Secondary Dichroic (VSD) that separates the two photomultiplier tubes and allows the user to specify the cutoff wavelength at which light will be reflected and not pass through the optic within 1 nm. • The ability to specify a freely defined cutoff value to allow for the use of any combination of fluorochromes, and to allow the use of the VSD as a sequential spectral imaging device. • A FixGate main beam splitter arrangement to provide extremely high laser suppression equivalent to between OD 6 and OD7 • Spectral mode use of the VSD to allow for the collection by the two available channels with no light dispersion. • Ensured linear scanner movement during acquisition to guarantee faithful geometric representation of the sample and constant pixel dwell times to allow for quantitative studies. • Contain a continuously variable scan field sizes from x 0.6 to x40 in 0.1 steps to provide magnifications up to and beyond the optical limits of resolution, with a scan field of 20 nm diagonally in the intermediate image plane. • Freely rotatable scan field through 360 degrees in 0.1 degree increments • Ability to activate up to 4 laser lines at any time with either one or two active detectors. • Ability to acquire flurochromes sequentially, either one at a time, or in groups. • Use of ZEN software that saves files in.czi formation that stores all meta data in addition to image data. • Ability to define 99 ROIs within an image that define an acquisition region, a bleach region or a measurement region within the ZEN software. • Use of ROIs to determine the prevention of photo-damage outside of the ORI boundaries, and perform FRAP experiments, FRET acceptor photo-bleaching experiments, uncaging, photo-activation and photo-conversion of switchable fluorescent proteins. Axio Imager Z2 Microscope • Infinity Contrast and Color Corrected transmitted light beam path for uniform illumination • Ability to use the EC Plan-NEOFLUAR universal objective to have consistent stray light minimization. • Ability to use the Plan-APOCHROMAT objectives to allow for point spread functionality and planar and chromatic correction • Ability to use the α Plan-APOCHROMAT 100x/1.46 and 100x/1.57 HI Oil objectives to provide for maximum resolution in fluorescence and transmitted light DIC techniques • Ability to use the LCI Plan-NEOFLUAR 25x/0.8 and 63x/1.3 Imm. Korr objectives for live cell imagine that are calibrated for specific temperature intervals as well as immersion media from water to glycerin • LED illumination source to allow for constant color temperature independent of brightness • Motorized 10-position reflector turret that is synchronized with the fast Colibri LED light source to provide a wide selection of excitation wavelengths without pixel shift • Motorized aperture and luminous field diaphragm to automatically control contrast and illumination • Motorized scanning stages, motorized z-focus, and high performance focus for high precision and positioning accuracy. The Government's minimum requirements are as follows: • All microscopes must be compatible with Assaybuilder, Axiovison, and ZEN which are already in use in the laboratory and required for laboratory analysis • Cameras, objectives, and filter sets must be fully interchangeable between all of the microscopes and computers • Incubation must be able to be used on all three microscopes • All microscopes must be compatible with other objectives the UDP laboratory currently possesses. JUSTIFICATION The sole-single (including brand-name) justification is based upon the fact that: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC. is the authorized distributor of the Carl Zeiss products, manufactured in Germany, and the sole provider of the LSM 700 URGB, Axio Imager, and Axio Observer. Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC is the only company that can provide manufacturer certified installation, training and support in this geographical area for the aforementioned demo systems, which has been previously used by Zeiss' personnel for demonstration purposes only. The warranty offered is the same as new equipment that is one year parts and labor. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) as set forth in FAR Part 6.302-1(b), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and the Size Standard 500 Employees. This pre-solicitation / notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This announcement constitutes the only notice; proposals are not being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The determination by the Government to award a contract on a sole source noncompetitive basis for the LSM 700 URGB, Axio Imager, and Axio Observer to Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC,. One Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594, is based upon the responses to the sources sought synopsis published in the FedBizOpps on April 11, 2013, under synopsis number NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2013-131-CSP, titled Axio Observer, Axio Imager and LSM 700. Any information received as a result of this pre-solicitation / notice of intent will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct any future competitive procurements Interested parties may identify their interest and capability for any future competitive procurement by responding to this notice in writing, no later than May 06, 2013 1:00 pm, EST. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement. All responses must reference this pre-solicitation / notice of intent number NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2013-133-CSP and may be submitted electronically to the Contracting Specialist, Caitlin Palmer at caitlin.palmer@nih.gov.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NHLBI/NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2013-133-CSP/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Zip Code: 20892
 

Record

SN03042387-W 20130424/130422234504-858a521ce323ac04197f757c6a775f36 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

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