U.S. ARMY SOLDIER SYSTEMS COMMAND, ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE, ATTN AMSSC-AD, NATICK MA 01760-5011

66 -- LASER SCANNING CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE (LSCM) SOL DAAK60-96-R-9022 DUE 071596 POC Laura MacLean, Contract Specialist, (508) 233-5028 (Site Code DAAK60) The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command, Natick Reseach, Development and Engineering Center to procure a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM) System complete with laser; optical system for selectable excitation; upright microscope; detector(s) for two or more confocal fluorescence emissions, for confocal reflected light, and for non-confocal transmitted light; drive for optical sectioning; computerized image acquisition, processing, display, and storage systems; image printer; and if needed, physical support. The offeror must submit technical data or descriptive sheets demonstrating conformity to the following Salient Characteristics: Confocal Scanner - Variable scan rate up to at least 120 scans/sec using either a bidirectional mirror or an acousto-optical deflector for horizontal scanning and a galvanometer-driven system for vertical scanning. Microscope - Upright Nikon Optiphot-2 (or equivalent) with trinocular eyepiece tube, halogen light source, Achromat condenser, three Apochromat objective lenses (10x, 40x, 100x), rectangular mechanical stage ''R3'', light intensity control, and capable of providing real-time viewing of confocal fluorescent images and nonconfocal transmitted images. Laser Excitation and Fluorescence Filtering - Argon-ion laser with minimum of 100 mW total power for excitation at three wavelengths to include 488 and 529 nm, with optics cube and related filtering for selecting excitation lines, with a filtering system (including narrow band and long pass filters) for selecting fluorescent emissions in the 530, 580/590, and 660 nm regions, and with provision for blocking/shuttering the photoexcitation. Detection and Display System - Real time detection of two or more fluorescent emission wavelengths, using either a cooled CCD detector (512 x 480 pixel array with 50:1 S/N ratio) or side-on photomultiplier tube(s) (with programmable high voltage bias and associated amplifier), as well as detection of transmitted wavelength, with capability of integrating/averaging images and displaying them on an included 14 inch or larger monitor and at a rate of at least 30 frames/sec. Optical Sectioning - Computer control Z-drive stepper motor system mounted on the microscope and capable of moving fine control at 0.1 micrometer per vertical step. Imaging Control System - Computer and software for operating and controlling the light sources, scanners, Z-drive, and detectors and for basic processing of image data, to include a Pentium (corrected chip)-based, 90 MHz microprocessor, with at least 540 MB hard drive and 40 MB RAM, with a 1.44 MB 3.5'' floppy disk, with a video frame grabber board, with graphics card, with a keyboard, and with a 17 inch 1280 x 1024 pixel array color monitor. Image Acquisition and Processing System - Software for acquiring, analyzing, consolidating, displaying, and storing at least two fluorescent emission images, such that they can be matrixed, stacked, reconstructed as a rotatable 3-D image, color graded for quantification, and transferred for printing and optical storage; software to include provision for minimizing photobleaching (by shutter control) and for obtaining kinetic information. Image Storage/Transfer System - Optical disk drive for image storage with a minimum of 650 MB capacity, with appropriate interfaces to Imaging Control System and/or Image Acquisition and Processing System, and with one 5.25 inch optical disk. Video Printer - High quality color printer for making prints and transparencies of a minimum image size of 15 x 11.5 cm, to include necessary splitter and cables. Optical System Support - If appropriate, a vibration-isolation table for supporting and stabilizing laser optics, microscope, and detectors, sized accordingly. The LSCM System must also include installation, check-out, on-site training, and warranty on parts and labor for 12 months.(0131)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0370 19960513\66-0003.SOL)