National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

66 -- INTEGRATED MULTI-COMPONENT MICROPOSITIONING SYSTEM SOL NCI-RFQ-90097-NV DUE 051899 POC Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent, (301) 402-4509, Todd Cole, Contracting Officer (301) 402-4509 The National Cancer Institute (NCI) on behalf of the Cellular and Systems Neurobiology Section(CNS), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), plans to procure a completely Integrated Multi-Component Micropositioning System from Luigs and Neumann Finmechanik and Elektrotechnik GmbH, Boschstrabe 19-40880, Ratingen, Germany. This equipment is needed to properly implement microscopic visualization and targeting techniques for neuron electrophysiology; therefore, it is imperative that the system has very accurate micropositioning devices that can be controlled by NINDS's proprietary computer software. The integrated multi-component system must consist of: (1) a position control system for the focus drive of the microscope; (2) a position control system for the microscope consisting of an XY shifting platform to control the viewing field; and (3) two, three-dimensional micropositioners with motorized control for positioning two microelectrodes. All three positioning systems shall employ the same microstepping motors with a degree of accuracy less than one micron. A closed loop control system (CLS) must also be available for the motors to allow for less than 100 nanometer accuracy, as required. The stepping motors must have special construction so that there is no mechanical drift (by using thermally insulted motors), they must employ a locking nut and a bearing system so that there are no positioning errors due to mechanical play, and the motors must be activated at a very high step frequency (above 100 kHz) to minimize electrical noise in order not to interfere with electrophysiological measurements. The stepping motors must be mounted on precision machined, fully assembled mechanical components including brackets, sliding clamps, and base plates that allow for mechanically stable attachment to the microscope. The mechanical design of these components shall be fully compatible with an existing Zeiss Axioskop microscope. The electronics hardware that controls the various micropositioners must be the same for all three positioning systems and must allow interfacing to the CNS/NINDS computer software system. The Luigs and Neumann micropositioning system is the only system known to the NINDS researcher that has motorized micropositioners that are fully automated, that offer closed loop control, and that meets all other requirements listed herein. This is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can provide the above system, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NINDS to determine if the party can meet this requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 PM EST, on May 18, 1999. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent at (301) 402-4509. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to thisnotice 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. Posted 04/28/99 (W-SN325424). (0118)

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