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The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is seeking Capability Statements from Small Business organizations under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334516, that are manufacturers of confocal microscope imaging system to be used to image fluorescent signals in spinal cord tissue sections and cells.

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: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; (2) the availability of capable Small Businesses; HUBZone Small Businesses; Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; 8(a) Small Businesses; Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; Woman-Owned Small Businesses; or Small Disadvantaged Businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The established NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The U.S. Small Business Administration establishes a size standard for 334516 as 1,000 employees or less.

Background: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Synaptic Transmission Section (STS) performs fluorescence protein-based experiments for 1) imaging the nanoscale structures and complexes at the cell membrane and 2) tracking the dynamics of a variety of proteins during vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis in the cells. These experiments need to resolve less than 20nm range of protein and membrane structures, which require ‘Super- Resolution Microscopy’ such as STORM/PALM.

Purpose and Objectives: Synaptic Transmission Section combines physiological and cell biological approaches to understand the dynamics of cell membrane and a variety of proteins during vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis in living cells at nanometer scale, e.g. dense core vesicle docking, curvature generation and endocytosis. Our mission is first to characterize these processes with super-resolution imaging technique, and then determine the underlying regulating molecular mechanisms involved in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

REQUIREMENT: NIKON combined AXR confocal and N-STORM super-resolution microscope system or Equal

NINDS requires one NIKON combined AXR confocal and N-STORM super-resolution microscope system or Equal with the following properties and characteristics:

Salient Characteristics:

Essential features of the microscope must include:

• STORM microscope has a XY localization precision of 20nm.

• Ti2-EInverted microscope body that allows 25mm FOV imaging, equipped with perfect focus system (PFS) supporting all modes of imaging. The flexible configuration also allows expansion of other imaging modalities such as DEEPSIM.

• Motorized Z drive: Coarse/fine focus changeover, 10mm stroke, Minimum increments: 0.01 μm, 0.02 μm (with encoder control)

• Scan head allows industry leading 25mm FOV imaging with pixel resolution of 8192X8192 with a galvo scanner. • The Ax scanhead utilizes fiber coupled detection making pictures clearer by minimizing system-related electrical noise.

• DUX-VB offers tunable detection that can be customized for any experiment. Tunability can also be used to capture spectral acquisitions of up to 70 channels. • Smart Ax setup in NIS-Elements takes the guesswork out of choosing filters and settings.

• LUA-S diode lasers offer stability and long lifetimes. Laser power can be automatically set by the AI-based software tools.

• There are 6 laser modules (405/445/488/514/561/640) and 6 filter systems. All LUA-S systems are alignment-free meaning that maximum available power is transmitted through the fiber at all times without the need for maintenance

• N-SPARC Single photon sensitivity array detectors replacing PMT and GASP detectors. Noise performance is unmatched compared to other market available detectors. High sensitivity, high power and less image integration decreases the imaging time significantly.

• The system also has tunable GASP detector system and multi-alkali PMT detectors for each channel with field modifications and upgradations

• Custom 5 wavelength (405/488/532/561/647) STORM laser-combiner and 7 position emission wheel.

• AI and deep learning based auto control of laser power

• 100um high precision piezo for STORM 3D calibration.

• 3 different objective lenses 20X, 60X and 100X TIRF.

• Hexagonal pinhole system for better approximation of the airy pattern.

• AI deep-learning based tools included for confocal scanning optimization (autosignal.ai) and shot noise removal (denoise.ai).

• Additional AI based tools available for image analysis (segment.ai, convert.ai and enhance.ai). AI-based out of focus blur removal (clarify.ai) included with deconvolution module.

• NIS-Elements software provides a unified interface for Confocal, TIRF, STORM, epifluorescence, image processing and analysis, as well as supporting expansion with future tools (DEEPSIM, etc).

• 2D/3D deconvolution plugin. STORM analysis plugin.

• Continuous online and offline support team.

• Hexagonal pinhole system for confocal imaging.

• Optical Table 900X1200 mm with VIT package.

• On-site customer training and servicing without any charge

Anticipated period of performance: Delivery and installation within 70 days after receipt of order.

Capability statement /information sought.

Small business concerns that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Small businesses must also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information.

Interested small businesses are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number.

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 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 Cassandra Coney, Contract Specialist, at e-mail address Cassandra.conley@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before June 29, 2023, 2:00 pm, 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).

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