Automated Crystallization Imaging System

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM), on behalf of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases (NIDDK) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or HUB Zone small businesses that can provide an automated imaging system for incubating and capturing both ultraviolet and visible light images of crystallization trials. Crystallization trials are used to grow crystals that are then used to solve high-resolution protein structures. Requirements: Imager that can quickly image Greiner 96 well microplates sealed with Grace Biolabs covers and Molecular Dimensions lipidic cubic phase plates. The imager must be able to image 3 slices per drop with both UV and color visible light in less than 10 minutes for a 96 well plate containing 96 hanging drops The imager must be able to keep the plates at a constant temperature of 22 degrees Celsius plus or minus 0.5 degree Celsius The imager must offer a 1-12X continuous zoom and continuously variable 360 degree cross-polarization (any degree from 0-360). The visible light path must be separate from the UV light path so that the highest quality color images can be captured. Period of Performance: Delivery no later than September 30, 2014; Installation, set-up and training by October 14, 2014 This request is for interested firms with the capability of providing the items listed above and to submit a capability statement along with projected pricing, to assist the Government in determining in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502-2(b) whether or not this procurement will be set-aside for any of the programs described above. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industrial Classification (NAICS) code 541711 with a size standard of 500 employees. POTENTIAL SOURCES SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN THEIR RESPONSE: Company name, address, phone number, primary contact(s), e-mail address, NAICS code(s), business size (i.e., small/large) and DUNS number. All respondents are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business. Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide (a) capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough detail, but not to exceed 10 pages, so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the requirements above. Your capability statement, not to exceed 10 pages, should include references. A copy of the capability statement must be received at the address identified in this synopsis by no later than close of business (4:30 pm local time at designated location) on July 21, 2014. Responses by fax or e-mail WILL BE ACCEPTED. This announcement is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. The Government will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this synopsis nor will it reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Quotation, or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor does this issuance restrict the Government's acquisition approach. 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 pre-solicitation 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)."