The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Laboratory of Cell Biology (LCB), intends to procure on a sole-source basis with Gatan, Inc., 780 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA, to replace the HCR optics stack, ultra sensitive, US 400D 300kV for the government owned Gatan Energy Filter, GIF2002 an integral component of the Government owned Polara 300K electron microscope,. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.5 to use simplified procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. The improved Optical Stack for the GIF2002 post column Energy Filter is designed for a higher sensitivity which will allow the NCI to record the same image with fewer electrons thereby improving the resolution. This is a critical parameter in electron tomography as each of the 140 tilted images required for the reconstruction can now be recorded at a lower dose with higher resolution. This increase in sensitivity is particularly important in double-tilt electron tomography where images are recorded from two tilt series orthogonal to each other thus exposing the specimen to double the electron dose. The replacement part is a major component of the FEI Polara microscope and shall be compatible with the existing system to maintain operability and consistency in research studies. The Polara 300kV Field Emission Gun Electron Microscope is a “state of the art” instrument for electron tomography and the replacement Optical Stack for the Gatan Energy Filter is an integral part of the existing GATAN Energy Filter that can only be supplied and installed by Gatan Inc. engineers. Gatan, Inc. is the only known source that can provide the replacement part required. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished shall be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI researcher to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the contracts office by 1:00 PM EST (local Washington, D.C. time) on April 4, 2005. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to [email protected]. It is the vendor’s responsibility to call (301) 402-4509 to insure questions have been received. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice 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. No collect calls will be accepted.

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