SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- NINDS Division of Intramural Research (DIR) Effort to Purchase Three Confocal Imaging Microscopes - Statement of Work and Evaluation Criteria
- Notice Date
- 3/23/2015
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA-(SSSA)-15-175
- Archive Date
- 4/22/2015
- Point of Contact
- Andriani Buck, Phone: 3014021677
- E-Mail Address
-
andriani.buck@nih.gov
(andriani.buck@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Evaluation Criteria LIF Evaluation Criteria SFS Evaluation Criteria SNC SOW COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is HHS-NIH-NIDA-(SSSA)-15-175 and the solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Test Program for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-80 effective March 2, 2015. This acquisition is unrestricted. The associated NAICS code 334516 and the small business size standard 500. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES The purpose of this procurement is to obtain three confocal imaging platforms for NINDS investigators meeting the specifications within the Statement of Work and the respective attachments. Title: NINDS Division of Intramural Research (DIR) Effort to Purchase Three Confocal Imaging Microscopes The National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)/ Division of Intramural Research (DIR) is the nation's leading medical research agency whose mission is to support and conduct world-class research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke. Research within the DIR depends on confocal imaging microscopy and necessitates the older confocal microscopes currently being utilized be replaced with modern technology able to offer the level of performance and sensitivity required by cutting edge research programs. Existing instruments lack features found in newer equipment and needed by our researchers such as the ability to maintain constant focus for extended periods of time, possession of motorized stages to allow for seamless multi-field image acquisition, inclusion of detectors required for specialized imaging modalities such as low-abundance or high-count fluorescent markers, and spatial resolution better than the diffraction limit of visible light (0.2 um). These capabilities are needed in our laboratories in addition to the field support, warranty services, manufacturer's training, manufacturer's certification, and access to proprietary parts and software information offered by more modern systems and required to keep the equipment in manufacturer's working condition. NINDS currently requires three new confocal microscopes: •one for the shared NINDS Light Imaging Facility (LIF), •one for the Synpatic Function Section (SFS), •and one for the Synapse and Neural Circuit Unit (SNC). Scope of Work General requirements applicable to all three (3) microscopes NINDS/DIR intends to obtain confocal imaging platforms able to meet the challenges of biomedical research such as handling live or fixed specimens, from sub-cellular structures to whole animals, and fluorescent probes, including organic dyes and indicators, fluorescent antibodies, and endogenous markers. NINDS/DIR studies require the ability to image multiple fluorescent probes and the ability to image live specimens when the sample must be kept alive under the microscope for extended periods of time; the latter requires the instrument to provide the appropriate temperature, gas, and humidity level and furthermore since live specimens are sensitive to photo-damage the instrument must keep laser exposure as low as possible. The platforms must perform at speeds able to image fast moving and dynamic phenomena and possess specialized devices to keep the focus constant during long-term imaging experiments. For both live and fixed specimens, spatial resolution is needed for studies that require accurate localization of small cellular structures within a single nerve cell. The software for the confocal system must include capability for multitrack imaging by linewise and framewise switching of the laser excitation lines, spectral imaging, tiled image acquisition with seamless stitching, and user-defined sequential imaging protocols (including multi-positional z-stacks and time series with variable laser intensities). The supplier must provide at least three days of initial training and provide continuing application support, when requested, within three business days. The system must be under full warranty (parts and service) for two years from the date of purchase. A third year of service support (excluding parts) must be included, with the option to purchase complete maintenance coverage (parts and service) for at least five additional years. Enhanced resolution imaging for LIF and SFS and upgrade path for SNC: The LIF and SFS require systems with an enhanced resolution imaging modality designed to image living samples while the system for SNC must include an on-site upgrade path for this enhanced imaging modality. The system must minimize the intensity and dose of excitation light so that unbiased data can be obtained from live samples during 3D acquisitions or long-term time-lapse recordings because continuous exposure to excitation light can induce cell damage (phototoxicity caused by the generation of free oxygen radicals) as well as photobleaching (and consequent loss of signal). The detector must be designed to maximize quantum efficiency (numbers of photons collected) and to minimize noise so as to optimize signal detection while allowing low levels of laser illumination. Moreover, the system must be able to rapidly collect images in order to monitor fast cellular activities such as exocytosis of vesicles (which also limits the numbers of photons that can be collected) and optimize spatial resolution which is essential for visualizing small cellular structures (at the expense of SNR). The enhanced resolution imaging modality must be applicable to the wide variety of fluorescent probes used by scientists in the DIR (organic dyes, fluorescent antibodies in many colors, fluorescent proteins) and must not require intense laser illumination. These requirements preclude techniques based on Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED), any localization-based imaging methodology such as PALM or STORM or any confocal imaging technique utilizing a reduced pinhole (<1 Airy Unit). We have carefully evaluated structured illumination techniques available from different vendors and found them lacking, in particular because they all require recording multiple images and are not well suited for imaging fast motile and dynamic events in live specimens, i.e., nerve cells. A more detailed list of requirements can be found in Attachments A (LIF), B (SFS), and C (SNC). The enhanced resolution modality must feature a 1.7 fold higher resolution in all three dimensions as the higher resolution is necessary for meeting current research needs. Furthermore, a high signal-to-noise (S/N) is required in order to image low-expressing signals in live specimens. The aforementioned mandate a detector which consists of at least 32 elements (Gallium arsenide Phosphide or equivalent), each of which collects a part of the light emitted from the focal spot in the sample; the contributions from each of these elements must be able to be combined by linear deconvolution, functionally reducing the pinhole diameter (to ~ 0.2 Airy Units) without reducing the signal. The computational step must be performed simultaneously to 2-D imaging so the benefits of improved resolution and SNR are visible in real-time (post-processing should not be required). The DIR proposes to acquire three confocal instruments. All instruments must be based on a common hardware and software foundation to minimize training and support and allow for cost efficiencies, but each instrument must also be tailored to the specific needs of the location where it will be put in service. The Light Imaging Facility (LIF) microscope must be configured to meet the various needs of a large and diverse user base. It must include a highly sensitive multi-channel detector capable of full spectral imaging (in a single scan, not sequentially), high-count dye imaging with emission fingerprinting capabilities, and configurable to simultaneously capture fluorescence from as many as ten probes. In addition, it must have a separate detector (Airy Detector or equivalent) with significantly enhanced sensitivity and resolution (1.7 fold in x, y and z). See Attachment A for threshold specifications. The Synaptic Function Section (SFS, Dr. Zuhang Sheng) microscope must be equipped with an Airy detector/equivalent to facilitate localization of small protein clusters that are on or within motile organelles along neuronal long processes such as axons and at synaptic terminals. See Attachment B for threshold specifications. The Synapse and Neural Circuit Unit (SNC, Dr. Wei Lu) microscope must be configured for optigenetic experiments on transgenic neurons expressing light-sensitive ion channels. See Attachment C for threshold specifications. See Attachments for Additional Technical Requirements and Evaluation Criteria: a)Specific Requirements for LIF: See SOW Attachment A. b)Specific Requirements for SFS: See SOW Attachment B. c)Specific Requirements for SNC: See SOW Attachment C. Please refer to the attached Statement of Work for further detail, specifications, and evaluation criteria. FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Offerors must include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, with its offer. FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. FAR clause 52.212.-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, is applicable to this requirement. Offers will be evaluated on the criteria as detailed in the Statement of Work and Attachments A, B, and C. For SNC (Lu)Specification 1Specification 2Specification 3Value Motorized Inverted microscope Integrated z-drive with auto-focusStep size < 10 nmRange > 25 mm 5 x,y scanning stageStep size < 1.0 µm 5 20X objective Minimum NA 0.8Minimum WD=0.55Color corrected for UV-far red3 40X objectiveMinimum NA 1.3 Color corrected for UV-far red4 60-63X objective Minimum NA 1.4 Color corrected for UV-far red5 Confocal System Main beam splitter>10 combinations of laser lines 405 nm- 800 nmLaser supression between OD 6 and OD 7 2 Software modulation of lasers0.001 - 100% 2 Filter-less emission windowsAt least 6 windows simultaneouslyPrecision 1 nmat least 90% transmission10 ScannerlinearAutomatic bidirectional calibration (manual adjustment not required)freely rotatable 360 degrees5 Scan speed> 13 fps at 512 X 512 15 ZoomRange > 1 to 40 2 Scan formatUp to > 8000 X 8000 3 Bit depth8, 12 and 16 2 Option for High resolution detectorResolution x,y < 150 nm z < 450 nm at 488 Enhanced two dimensional imaging in real timeDemonstrable improved S/N compared to GaASP/Hybrid detectorFluorescence range 405-750 nm10 3-Channel Detector Systemone highly sensitivity dectector (GaAsP)can be switched via software between 2 modes 15 Digital oversampling imaging modecontrol a high voltage gain and digital offset on the detection PMT. 5 Photon counting imaging modediscriminates actual photon arrivals events to the detector and allows for samples with low amounts of fluorocromes to be easily imaged and produce a noise free image. 4 Trigger integration for photostimulation unit used in optigenetic experiments 3 Total 100 For LIF - SmithSpecification 1Specification 2Specification 3Value Motorized Inverted microscope Integrated z-drive with auto-focusStep size < 10 nmRange > 25 mm 3 x,y scanning stageStep size < 1.0 µm 3 Stage-top Z piezo drive 3 20X objective Minimum NA 0.8Minimum WD=0.55Color corrected for UV-far red4 40X objectiveMinimum NA 1.4 Color corrected for UV-far red4 60-63X objective Minimum NA 1.4 Color corrected for UV-far red3 Confocal System Main beam splitter>10 combinations of laser lines 405 nm- 800 nmLaser supression between OD 6 and OD 7 2 Software modulation of lasers0.001 - 100% 2 Filter-less emission windowsAt least 6 windows simultaneouslyPrecision 1 nmat least 90% transmission10 ScannerlinearAutomatic bidirectional calibration (manual adjustment not required)freely rotatable 360 degrees4 Scan speed> 13 fps at 512 X 512 3 ZoomRange > 1 to 40 2 Scan formatUp to > 8000 X 8000 3 Bit depth8, 12 and 16 2 Spectral detectorQE minimum 40 at 500-650 nmMinimum number channels 32Simultaneous spectral imaging25 PMT for far redQE 25% 2 High resolution and S/N detectorResolution x,y < 150 nm z < 450 nm at 488 Enhanced two dimensional imaging in real timeDemonstrable improved S/N compared to GaASP/Hybrid detectorFluorescence range 405-750 nm25 Total100 For SFS (Sheng)Specification 1Specification 2Specification 3Value Motorized Inverted microscope Integrated z-drive with auto-focusStep size < 10 nmRange > 25 mm 5 x,y scanning stageStep size < 1.0 µm 5 Stage-top Z piezo drive 5 20X objective Minimum NA 0.8Minimum WD=0.55Color corrected for UV-far red4 40X objectiveMinimum NA 1.4 Color corrected for UV-far red4 60-63X objective Minimum NA 1.4 Color corrected for UV-far red3 Confocal System Main beam splitter>10 combinations of laser lines 405 nm- 800 nmLaser supression between OD 6 and OD 7 2 Software modulation of lasers0.001 - 100% 2 Filter-less emission windowsAt least 6 windows simultaneouslyPrecision 1 nmat least 90% transmission5 ScannerlinearAutomatic bidirectional calibration (manual adjustment not required)freely rotatable 360 degrees4 Scan speed> 13 fps at 512 X 512 3 ZoomRange > 1 to 40 2 Scan formatUp to > 8000 X 8000 3 Bit depth8, 12 and 16 2 High resolution and S/N detectorResolution x,y < 150 nm z < 450 nm at 488 Enhanced two dimensional imaging in real timeDemonstrable improved S/N compared to GaASP/Hybrid detectorFluorescence range 405-750 nm20 3-Channel Detector Systemone highly sensitivity dectector (GaAsP)can be switched via software between 2 modes: 20 Digital oversampling imaging modecontrol a high voltage gain and digital offset on the detection PMT. 5 Photon counting imaging modediscriminates actual photon arrivals events to the detector and allows for samples with low amounts of fluorocromes to be easily imaged and produce a noise free image. 3 Trigger integration for photostimulation unit used in optigenetic experiments 3 Total100 FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. In addition the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must be received by April 7, 2015, 8:00 am EST and must reference number HHS-NIH-NIDA-(SSSA)-15-175. Responses may be submitted electronically to andriani.buck@nih.gov or by U.S. mail to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), Station Support / Simplified Acquisition Branch (SS/SA), 31 Center Drive, Building 31, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2080, Attention: Andriani Buck. Fax responses will be accepted at (301) 480-1358. Contact Andriani Buck at 301-402-1677 for information regarding the solicitation.
- Web Link
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIDA-2/HHS-NIH-NIDA-(SSSA)-15-175 /listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: NIH (various, please see SOW for detailed information), Bethesda, Maryland, 21044, United States
- Zip Code: 21044
- Zip Code: 21044
- Record
- SN03676430-W 20150325/150323235943-85011a3314bbf30df725f77349177fd9 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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