Microscope Slide Scanner
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The USDA Agricultural Research Service is seeking a firm-fixed price contract for a multimodal microscope slide scanner system that meets or exceeds the specifications of the Aperio FL120 Scanner, including a dual-mode CMOS camera, autoloader, minimum 8-slot automatic filter wheel, and integrated workstation software capable of brightfield and fluorescence imaging with 5.5 micron and 6.5 micron pixel resolution respectively, 3D specimen representation, and the ability to scan 120 slides per session in under 450 seconds per 15x15 mm slide at 20X. The system must include on-site installation, immediate on-site comprehensive training, and one year of ongoing phone and virtual support. All items and services are to be delivered to the Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit in College Station, Texas, within 60 days of award under F.O.B. Destination terms, with a loading dock available at the delivery site. The solicitation is unrestricted and open to full and open competition, with the government seeking to determine if any domestic end-product items satisfy technical requirements. Quotes must be submitted on company letterhead with full pricing for all line items, inclusive of all costs including shipping, valid for at least 60 days, and must include the place of manufacture. Offerors must submit a completed SF-1449 with specific blocks filled and all CLINs priced, a valid Sam.gov Unique Entity ID, and a capability statement or technical documentation demonstrating ability to meet all salient characteristics outlined in the specifications. Evaluation will follow the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method, where only the lowest priced quote is initially evaluated for technical acceptability and past performance; if it fails, the next lowest is evaluated in sequence until a technically acceptable quote with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified. Technical acceptability requires strict compliance with all salient characteristics in the specifications, and any failure to submit all required documents or meet deadlines will result in automatic rejection without discussion. The government reserves the right to conduct discussions but intends to award without them. Awards will be made no later than July 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT, with proposals submitted via email to Elizabeth Calhoun, and must include the solicitation title and number in the subject line. Contractor compliance with FAR and agency-specific clauses including Buy American, Place of Manufacture, Biobased Product Certification, Anti-Discrimination and DEI Certification, Combating Trafficking in Persons,
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
College Station, TX, 77843, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
This is being re-solicited unrestricted for Full and Open competition to identify if there are any domestic end-product items that will meet Technical Acceptability.
Statement of Requirement
See Attachment 2 – Specifications.
Schedule of Items
See Attachment 1 – SF-1449.
Vendors who have the expertise and required capabilities to provide these items are invited to submit quotes in accordance with the requirements stipulated in this solicitation.
Technical Data -
Technical data and supporting documentation associated with this solicitation are available through the following sources:
- Solicitation Attachments
The following documents are included as attachments to this solicitation and can be accessed via the “Attachments/Links” section of the posting.- Attachment 2 – Specifications
Solicitation Information
Award Type
It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price contract will be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation.
The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.
Evaluation and Basis for Award
The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
is not applicable to this solicitation. In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below.
Technical Approach:
The technical approach will evaluate the ability of the vendor to provide a sound and compliant approach that meets all requirements and shows a thorough understanding of them. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements. All vendors must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotations to be considered responsive and have their offers evaluated:
- Ability of the vendor to meet or exceed the salient characteristics listed in the Specifications.
Price:
The offeror shall provide pricing as requested in this Request for Quote. Failure to propose pricing for all individual line items may result in a quotation being excluded from further consideration. The vendor’s quotation will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204, to determine if it is fair and reasonable.
Past Performance:
The Government may utilize any references provided by the Contractor, along with information available from past contracts/orders with the USDA and any information found using sources such as Federal Government sources or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to determine if the Contractor has acceptable or neutral Past Performance. Past Performance will be evaluated using the following rating system:
- Acceptable: The contractor shows a demonstrated ability to meet contract requirements in prior or current contracts, including quality of work, timeliness, cost control, business relations, and adherence to contract terms.
- Neutral: Offeror does not have a past performance record.
- Unacceptable: The contractor has a documented history of failing to meet contract requirements, including poor quality, missed deadlines, cost overruns, lack of responsiveness, or unethical behavior.
Evaluation Method:
Award will be made to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable vendor that can meet or exceed all salient characteristics in the Specifications and who submits all required information and documentation requested in the solicitation.
Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability. Should the lowest priced
quote not receive an acceptable technical or past performance rating, the process will continue in
order of lowest priced quote until the lowest price, technically acceptable quote with acceptable or
neutral past performance is identified.
In order to be considered for award OFFERORS SHALL SUBMIT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Submit Firm Fixed Price quotation (quote on company letterhead) detailing the item(s), description, price, PLACE of MANUFACTURE, and inclusive of ALL costs including, but not limited to shipping, and valid for at least 60 days after receipt of quote.
- Submit attached SF-1449 with blocks 17a, 30a, 30b, 30c, and individual Contract Line Items priced in full.
- Submit Sam.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI) with quotation.
- Submit Capability Statement and/or technical documentation/brochures showing technical capability to meet or exceed ALL salient characteristics in the Specifications.
REJECTION OF QUOTATION: Failure to demonstrate compliance or to submit ALL items requested in solicitation prior to due date will be cause to reject the quote without further discussions.
DISCUSSIONS: The Government intends to award without discussions but reserves the right to conduct discussions should it be deemed in the Government's best interest.
Quotes are due on 7/2/2026 at 9:00 AM PT by email to Elizabeth Calhoun at Elizabeth.Calhoun@usda.gov. You must include the solicitation Title Name and Number as the subject line of the email.
Questions-All questions must go to Elizabeth Calhoun, whom may be reached at Elizabeth.Calhoun@usda.gov for specific questions regarding this combined solicitation. You must include the solicitation name AND number as the subject line of the email. Questions by interested parties regarding the requirement must be submitted by 6/29/2026 by 2:00 PM PT.