Automated Slide Scanner

This solicitation (number 1232SA26Q0676) issued by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Acquisition and Property Division seeks quotations for the procurement of an Automated Slide Scanner system, designed specifically for the USDA’s Systematic Entomology Laboratory. The equipment must be an integrated, commercial off-the-shelf automated slide-scanning microscope with capabilities including a 20-slide capacity, high-resolution imaging at up to 400X magnification with 0.5 µm resolution, automated tissue detection, autofocus, z-stack scanning, and Extended Depth of Field (EDF) software that is fully validated and non-beta. The system must handle slide specimens as small as 1 µm up to insect specimens of 10 mm, with automatic barcode reading and file labeling to support traceability and documentation of results. Compliance with FAR 52.246-15 is mandatory, requiring a Certificate of Conformance traceable to the original equipment manufacturer, typically specified as Glissando RS20 or an equal product. The acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 334516, targeting firms with 1,000 or fewer employees; women-owned small businesses are indicated as an eligible category. The solicitation follows FAR Part 12 commercial item acquisition procedures, emphasizing a firm fixed price contract with award following the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology. Evaluation criteria place the highest priority on technical acceptability (meeting or exceeding minimum technical and functional requirements), followed by past performance, and finally price for award determination. Offerors are required to submit complete quotations by June 5, 2026, electronically to the assigned contracting specialist. Inspection and acceptance will occur at the destination point, specifically at the USDA NEA Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Washington, DC, under FOB destination terms. While standard packaging or military preservation requirements are not specified, traceability and newness of parts are mandated, with clear labeling of brand, make, or model numbers and accompanying Certificates of Conformance. Special contract clauses impose important compliance requirements including prohibitions on certain supplier terms, mandatory anti-discrimination certifications, restrictions on automatic renewals and arbitration, AI transparency obligations, and flow-down of these clauses to subcontractors. The contract is structured to ensure government oversight of quality, compliance with federal standards and policies, and prioritizes awarding to responsible small businesses capable of delivering the required system within the December 31, 2026 performance end date.