SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- Zeiss AxioObserver.Z1 hardware and software upgrades
- Notice Date
- 12/20/2013
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bldg 1050, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, United States
- ZIP Code
- 21702
- Solicitation Number
- N02RC44105-57
- Archive Date
- 1/21/2014
- Point of Contact
- Reyes Rodriguez, Phone: 240-276-5442, Terry L. Galloway, Phone: 240-276-5384
- E-Mail Address
-
reyes.rodriguez@nih.gov, gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov
(reyes.rodriguez@nih.gov, gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Genome Integrity (LGI), plans to procure on a sole source basis hardware upgrades installation and Zeiss Efficient Navigation (ZEN) software for existing Zeiss AxioObserver.Z1 from Carl Zeiss Microscopy One Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. Delivery date: 6 weeks after award. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The laboratory of Genome Integrity (LGI) currently maintains a Zeiss microscope (Axio Observer Z1 Stand Mot; Serial #: 3834004401). This procurement will enable the purchase of a DIC slider and beam combiner along with objectives and software upgrades from the existing Axiovision software to Zeiss Efficient Navigation (ZEN). As part of the purchase, LGI will also acquire an imaging workstation and a 30" monitor. The robust, rapid and quantitative visual measurements of DNA damage response proteins in the nucleus are critical to our understanding of the cascade of signaling events involved in the damage and repair pathways. The Laboratory of Genome Integrity is seeking to make these purchases in order to meet NCI's current and future scientific demands. Carl Zeiss is the only company that can provide the hardware to add to the microscopes while keeping the current service contracts valid. Carl Zeiss is also the only distributor of the proprietary software that drives the microscope and also performs software imaging analysis. Specifically, the hardware needed includes (i) 2 objectives (10x and 20x), (ii) a Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) Slider, and (iii) a Beam Combiner for the Definite Focus Module that is already installed. The objectives are manufactured by Zeiss and are the only approved objectives to work on Zeiss microscopes to ensure the high quality imaging specifications required for our project. Each objective requires a DIC Slider in order to establish reflected light. The Beam Combiner is used with the Definite Focus Module to ensure an accurate position between the coverslip and objectives over time and multiple positions. The Beam Combiner is needed to improve the acquisition speed during image collection. The software applications provide an upgrade to our existing Axiovision software to Zeiss Efficient Navigation (ZEN). ZEN fully communicates with the Zeiss AxioObserver microscope to import hardware settings that are used for processing. This software allows us to acquire images at multiple positions on slides and tiles images at those positions using our already installed motorized stage. After acquisition, we are able to use the ZEN software to process the images to get detailed statistical information about the images. Any future modifications to the software can be performed using the built-in functions of ZEN and the integrated Python API (Application Programming Interface) to allow us to easily and quickly change the processing code. This is essential for future assay development and integration into out processing pipelines. In addition, the confocal core at NCI uses ZEN software, so this will reduce training requirements when lab members move between the wide-field and confocal microscopes for imaging. Contractor shall meet the following features: Hardware specifications and requirements • Compatible Objectives: Objectives compatible with M27 threads and tube lens focal lengths of 165 mm. These need to have magnifications that meet or exceed the following specifications: Plan Apochromat 10X/0.45 NA and Plan-Apochromat 20x/0.8 NA • DIC slider: Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) slider compatible with Plan Apochromat 10X/0.45 NA and Plan-Apochromat 20x/0.8 NA objectives. The DIC slider is for creating fluorescence/bright-field overlaid images. This gives extra cellular structural information • Definite Focus Beam combiner: Definite Focus Beam combiner that works with all Zeiss objectives and provides accurate spatial and temporal information between coverslip and objectives Software Components, Specifications and Requirements: • Software Upgrades: Currently used Axiovision software will be upgraded to to ZEN software • Software to control existing CAN stage: Software to control existing Controller Area Network (CAN) stage will allow acquisition of fluorescence and bright-field tiled images at multiple locations on a slide or multi-well plate • Automated, customer-specific, image analysis software: Automated image analysis software that processes acquired images will give counts of features of interest. For example, measurement of foci intensity or co-localization (see attached Pdf for detailed Customer Service Project Plan) • Integrated Python API features: Integrated Python API features will write macros to precisely control microscope and automated image analysis • Interactive GUI: Interactive GUI will generate automated image analysis routines • Offline license: Offline license of this software with an additional computer • Manufacturer supported software: Manufacturer supported software that guarantees full control of hardware components In summary, because the Carl Zeiss solution has unique features not available from other known companies and is compatible with existing equipment, this will yield additional savings to the laboratory since new systems do not have to be purchased in order to maintain compatibility. Carl Zeiss Microscopy is, therefore, uniquely qualified to provide the equipment. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small business believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a proposal or quote for the Government to consider. The response 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. Responses must be received in the contracting office by 11 AM EST, on January 6, 2014. All responses and questions must be in writing and faxed to 240-276-5399 or emailed to Reyes Rodriguez, Contracting Specialist via electronic mail at reyes.rodriguez@nih.gov. 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. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov. Reference: N02RC44105-57 on all correspondence.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/FCRF/N02RC44105-57/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bethesda, Maryland, United States
- Record
- SN03256077-W 20131222/131220235116-f4bd8ff49f723a63c5d121c419238f02 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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