National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Acquisitions Management Branch, 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Building 4401 Research Commons, P.O. Box 12874, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

66 -- LASER SCANNING CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE WITH MULTI-PHOTON EXCITATION CAPABILITY, FOR MULITUSER NIEHS CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE CENTER SOL 273-99-P-0015 DUE 082399 POC Contact Mary W. McConnell, Contract Specialist, (919)541-3813 NIEHS is interested in obtaining a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM) with Multi-photon Excitation Capability, for Multiuser NIEHS Confocal Microscope Center. It is NIEHS's intent to make an award using the commercial item procedures of FAR Part 12. The solicitation is not set aside and is under SIC Code 3827, size standard 500 employees. The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses through FAC 97-13. The specifications include: the instrument should be able to produce the highest quality confocal images under a variety of conditions; the system needs to implement multi-photon excitation in a way that maximizes its utility without hindering any other applications of the LSCM; the system needs to accommodate the many and varied needs of a multi-user facility; the instrument must accommodate non-standard applications with live cells; in addition to 8 bit digitization of each image channel, the instrument must be able to digitize each channel at a pixel depth of no less than 12 bits; support must be timely and thorough; and appropriate third party hardware and software must be provided to aid in analysis, presentation, and data management. The complete list of specifications and the technical evaluation criteria are outlined in the solicitation document which is available upon request. All firms wishing to submit a proposal will be furnished samples by overnight courier for analysis on the type of instrument proposed. Samples will be released to vendors at one time; therefore, requests for samples must be requested by the deadline given in the solicitation and will be released by the date given in the solicitation. The instrument is to be installed within 90 days after contract award in Building 101, South Campus, NIEHS, 111 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, N.C. All responsible sources may submit a bid, which shall be considered by the agency.***** Posted 07/15/99 (W-SN354650). (0196)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0814 19990719\66-0015.SOL)