66 -- Zeiss LSM 510 NLO Multi-photon Confocal Microscope with Scanning Stage and Environmental Chamber

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), CCR Confocal Microscopy Core Facility plans to enter into a sole source procurement for Zeiss LSM 510 NLO Multi-photon Confocal Microscope with Scanning Stage and Environmental Chamber from Carl Zeiss Micro Imaging, Inc., One Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. 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. Carl Zeiss Micro Imaging Inc. is the only source known to the NCI researcher that has a confocal microscope which will meet their research needs as detailed. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the requirement as detailed they may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI researcher to determine if the party can perform this requirement. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the contracting office by 2:30 pm EDT, on September 24, 2007. Faxed and emailed capability statements are NOT authorized. All questions must be in writing and must be emailed to Debbie Moore at dm170b@nih.gov or faxed (301) 402-4513. It is the vendor's responsibility to call (301) 402-4509 and verify that questions were 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. In order to receive an award from the NCI contractors must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA). Please refer to http://orca.bpn.gov In addition; contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Part I: Background information and Description of Acquisition Title: Zeiss LSM 510 NLO Multi-photon Confocal Microscope with Scanning Stage and Environmental Chamber Purpose/Brief History: The CCR Confocal Microscopy Core Facility was established by the NCI Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis in September 1997. The core facility provides state-of-the-art confocal microscopy and digital imaging to CCR investigators to perform high quality clinical and translational research in cancer biology and to train students, residents, and fellows in the field of confocal microscopy. The core facility also provides services and opportunities for collaborative research to investigators throughout the NCI as well as other NIH Institutes and FDA. The Zeiss LSM 510 NLO Multi-photon Confocal Microscope with Scanning Stage and Environmental Chamber will be used to perform imaging in thick specimens and will have three non-descanned, external detectors to provide multi-spectral imaging of these thick specimens. A FLIM module will be added to this system for fluorescence lifetime imaging, an imaging technology that currently is not available to core facility users. The XY scanning stage allows stitching of images to construct whole tissue sections as well as allow imaging at multiple locations during time lapse studies. PART II: Facts and reasons to Justify Other than Full and Open Competition 1. Statutory Authority: Statute: 13.106-1 (b) (b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization). No other requirement and/or type for supply or service will satisfy agency need. (2) For sole source acquisitions of commercial items in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold conducted pursuant to subpart 13.5, the requirements at 13.501(a) apply. 1. Justification: The CCR Confocal Microscopy Core Facility requries a third confocal and image processing system to meet the increased demand for extended time lapse imaging (overnight), to provide NDDs for deeper tissue imaging using the IR laser and to provide FLIM. This system must provide high resolution; expanded fluorescence capability; speed and ease of use; and quality image capture, processing, and storage capabilities. The Zeiss LSM 510 NLO Multi-photon Confocal Microscope with Scanning Stage and Environmental Chamber meets all of our specifications in one integrated system. The Zeiss LSM 510 NLO system has a number of unique features not available from other companies. These include Point Scanning 2P/Confocal, Internal detectors with Spectral Capability and 3 External Detectors for deep tissue imaging. The LSM 510 NLO is a point scanning confocal with the following minimum specifications: Laser Lines must Include IR Chameleon 680-1080nm tunable(>3W), 458,488,514,561,and 633 nm, at least 2KX2K image collection and must incorporate a separate pinhole for EACH internal detector on the system to accommodate different wavelengths so slice thickness between channels is balanced for colocalization when simultaneously scanning. It must support 1 and 2P simultaneous imaging with adjustable confocal pinholes and direct wide field detection of 2P signal. It must be able to achieve speeds of at least >4Fps at full 512 X512 image acquisition. It must incorporate Semrock filters with high efficiency sputter coated technology and optical correction for individual objective lenses via motorized collimator optics. Users must be able to adjust for focusing of the IR beam to the visible beam. This allows for simultaneous excitation of VIS and IR excited fluors with perfect colocalization. Any lens can be added and adapted by the user on the system. It must have direct coupling for the Coherent Chameleon laser with computer controlled tuning with wavelength ranges between 680-1080nm, Acousto Optical Modulator(AOM) for attenuation and line selection and the AOM should require no prechirp for integration on the system as well as stable output of beam directly into the AOM. No alignment by user should be required for the beam during wavelength tuning. The system must run and be supported in femto second mode for optimal IR 2 photon imaging and must be able to output low power in the femto second range to insure optimal pulse width without heating at the specimen. Automatic Z interpolation/correction during active scanning must be available to increase IR power, or detector sensitivity as user scans deeper into a highly scattering samples as well as automatic wavelength switching and image acquisition between two user specified IR wavelengths without user alignment of any kind between wavelengths. The Zeiss LSM 510 NLO Multi-photon Confocal Microscope with Scanning Stage and Environmental Chamber has unique features not available from other companies, is compatible with our existing equipment as all of our current equipment is Zeiss, and PC-based, we will be able to network this new system to other computers and printers in the laboratory, thus allowing for easy image transfer and/or printing. We will be able to interchange parts, such as the PLAN APO objectives, if necessary.