Issued By:
National Cancer Institute (NCI), (http://www.nci.nih.gov)
Office of Acquisitions (OA)

Key Dates:
Capability Statement Due Date: June 3, 2010

General Information:
This Sources Sought Notice (SS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Purpose:
The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified small business concerns including 8(a), HUBZone or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business concerns that are interested in and capable of providing the equipment described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.

As a result of this Sources Sought Notice, the NCI may issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NCI's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Description of Information to be included in the Capability Statement:

Contractor Requirements:

The Contractor shall provide the brand name VivaView Fluorescence Incubator Microscope for use in the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Cell and Cancer Biology Branch (CCBB). The NCI requires a system that will incorporate optimal cell growing conditions with state of the art imaging optics in a single system to allow for long-term time-lapse imaging. The system must also allow for the ability to image up to eight samples simultaneously with fluorescence or Differential Interference Contrast over an extended period. This will allow up to eight separate investigators to run experiments in parallel using various different cell types and/or reagents.

Specifically, information is sought regarding equipment with the following salient characteristics:

VivaView Fluorescence Incubator Microscope Features

- Integrated Microscope and Incubator versus a traditional microscope with an added on environmental chamber.
- Full tissue culture incubator, enabling control of temperature, carbon dioxide, humidity, and oxygen.
- The incubator portion can accommodate up to eight tissue culture dishes being imaged simultaneously.
- Hardware and software enables up to eight separate investigators using various cell types/reagents to run experiments and image in parallel simultaneously.
- Can regulate temperature, humidity, CO2 and N2 for oxygen levels between 5% to 18%
- Has a motorized fluorescence filter turret that can accommodate up to five customizable filter cubes. The cubes can be easily changed in the field for specific fluorochromes
- Has a motorized XY stage and Z focus
- Has motorized 35mm dish lids that can be controlled through the software interface to eliminate contamination and allow liquid handling.
- Has a liquid handling system to introduce chemical solutions during the observation or time-lapse imaging. Unique to Olympus
- The incubator has a double door to allow the access to dishes for liquid handling without effecting internal temperature, humidity or CO2.

VivaView Incubator Fluorescence Microscope Camera Features

- For optimal fluorescence imaging, the camera is cold cooled to -35C.
- The camera is capable of both 12bit and 16bit images
- The camera is monochrome, for optimal fluorescence imaging
- Live focusing of images for multiple point time-lapse setup at least 16.2 or higher frames per second at full resolution with the ability of a maximum of 115 fps utilizing binning options
- Dual high light and low light modes for improved spectral responses

VivaView Incubator Fluorescence Microscope Optic Features

- UPLSAPO 40x lens with a minimum NA of 0.95 for imaging
- 0.5x/1x/2x, Motorized magnification changer
- Contrasting mode: Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)
- Configured with GFP and TRITC filter sets

NAICS Code and Size Standard:

In the event an RFQ is issued, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 333314 with a size standard of 500 employees is being considered.

How to Submit a Response:

Page Limitations:

Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement not to exceed 10 single sided pages including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc. (single space, 12 point font minimum) that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the notice described above. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Statements should also include an indication of current certified small business status; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of your capability statement (preferably placed under the eligible small business concern's name and address). Responses will be reviewed only by NCI personnel and will be held in a confidential manner.

Due Date:
Capability statements are due no later than 11a.m. June 3, 2010.

Number of Copies and Delivery Point:
Please submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of your response as follows:

If hand-delivered or delivery service: If using U.S. Postal Service
Ashley Virts - Contact Specialist Ashley Virts - Contract Specialist
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 6072-A 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 6072-A
Rockville, MD 20852-7194 Rockville, MD 20852-7194

All capability statements sent in response to the Sources Sought Notice must be submitted in writing to Ashley Virts. All responses must be received at NCI by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. No faxed or electronic mail submissions will be accepted.

Point of Contact:
Inquiries concerning this Notice may be direct to:

Ashley Virts
Contract Specialist
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 6072-A
Rockville, MD 20852-7194
[email protected]