1. Solicitation Number: HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SS-2017-742

2. Title: Airyscan Upgrade for LSM 710

3. Classification Code: 66 - Instruments and laboratory equipment

4. NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

5. Description:
This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background: SCTL purchased a Zeiss 710 LSM Single Photon Microscope last year (requisition 3530365). We would like to purchase an upgrade to increase the sensitivity for image quality. Airyscan is a confocal detector which will allow the LSM 710 to do this, in addition to increasing the speed of imaging to assist with our high throughput needs and adds super resolution for use with any fluorophore.

Purpose and Objectives: This acquisition is to obtain the Airyscan Upgrade for LSM 710, a microscope we have on site.

Project requirements:
Purchase Description:
Generic Name of Product: Microscope system upgrades

Purchase Description: Carl Zeiss Microscopy Airyscan Upgrade for the LSM710
Salient characteristics:
• Fully integratable onto LSM 710 microscope currently in use
• Maximization of signal-to-noise ratio
• 6 detector elements
• Lateral resolution enhancement of 1.7
o Overall increased resolution of 140 nm lateral and 400 nm axial resolution at 488 nm

Quantity: one (1) each

Delivery Date: One time delivery 4 to 6 weeks after receipt of order.
Other important considerations: None

Capability statement /information sought. Interested parties shall submit a capability response that clearly demonstrates the ability to provide the required services.

Responses may include:
• respondents' opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts;

• information regarding respondents': (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information;

• general information regarding the respondent's estimate or rough order of magnitude of the effort or time that may be required for completion of the work. (NOTE: This type of information may only be requested as part of an RFI. However, care must be exercised in requesting such information. Information requested must be: (a) necessary; (b) broad in scope; and (c) used for planning purposes only. Detailed estimates must not be requested.);

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Jermaine Duncan at e-mail address [email protected]

The response must be received on or before 9 a.m. on 9/7/2017 Eastern Time.

"Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)."