AFRRI-ARMED Forces Radiobiology, Research Institute - LOGA, 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bldg. 42, Bethesda, MD 20889-5603

66 -- METAFIND SYSTEM Sol MDA928-95-R-0008. Due 053095. POC Kris Trump, Contract Specialist, 301-295-2344. The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Loats Associates, Inc., Westminster, Maryland to purchase a LAI Metafind System. The metafind system includes a precision robotic microscope equipped with 10,60 and 100x infinity corrected objectives and a brightfield illumination system, video processing, state of the art computer and related power conditioning, motion control and anti-vibration subsystems. Robotic microscope is equipped with motorized focus and high precision motorized two axis stage capable of handling up to 15 slides at one time. Software program provides intelligent control of microscope functions and capability to locate, recognize, rank, record and recall a user specified number of candidate metaphase spreads for scoring from numerous non-target cells and objects on stained slides. This is a sole source requirement because of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between AFRRI and Loats Assoc., Inc., for the advancement and use of non-fluorescent methods of chromosome painting in automated chromosomal aberration analyses. As part of the CRADA between AFRRI and Loats Assoc., both parties have agreed to collaborate in the development of automated assays supporting biodosimetry applications. This interaction involves effort by both parties to tailor both cytogenetic routines towards this goal. The majority of this applications will be built on the existing structure of the Loats ``Metafind System''. Also part of the CRADA, Loats has agreed to provide to AFRRI those software routines that draw from the collaboration venture. In order for AFRRI to benefit from the use of these software routines and to support mission research goals in biodosimetry, it is necessary to purchase this equipment. To our knowledge, no other existing metaphase finding system is equipped to perform the functions expected to be derived from the CRADA interaction. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered by the agency. See Note 22. (093)

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