AX R w/Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) Microscope

1. GENERAL INFORMATION This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products prepared in accordance with the FAR Part 12 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice, and in conjunction with Far 8.402(f). This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), Intends to contract on a sole source basis with Nikon Instruments Inc., 1300 Walt Whiteman Road, Melville, NY 11747 to procure a new AX R w/Nikon Spatial Array Confocal Microscope consisting of all the items per the attachment provided in this notice.
The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order resulting from this solicitation.

2. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

2.1 Background The Laboratory requires acquisition of a Nikon A1R confocal microscope system equipped with NSPARC detector technology to support ongoing and emerging auditory neuroscience research focused on olivocochlear efferent neurons. The system will be used for high-resolution ex vivo imaging of dissected mouse cochleae and will enable time-lapse calcium imaging, neurotransmitter imaging, voltage imaging, and combined imaging-electrophysiology experiments involving patch-clamp recordings. The acquisition is necessary to support new experimental approaches investigating dendritic function and signal processing in olivocochlear efferent neurons. These studies require sensitive, high-speed fluorescence imaging capabilities to measure dynamic neuronal activity in intact cochlear preparations while maintaining compatibility with simultaneous electrophysiological recordings. The required imaging performance is essential for achieving the scientific objectives of the research program. The microscope will serve as a dedicated research instrument for a single laboratory with three primary users. In addition, the system will support collaborative research efforts with other NIH investigators and external research partners, thereby facilitating interdisciplinary neuroscience studies and expanding access to advanced imaging capabilities.
The proposed Nikon A1R confocal microscope system with NSPARC detector technology must be compatible with existing laboratory imaging and electrophysiology workflows. The laboratory currently utilizes Nikon A1R microscopy systems for cochlear imaging studies and has established protocols, software workflows, data analysis pipelines, and user expertise based on Nikon hardware and software platforms. Compatibility with these existing systems will facilitate efficient implementation of the new instrument, minimize training requirements, and support continuity of ongoing research activities.
The proposed system is compatible with specialized experimental configurations used in auditory neuroscience research, including ex vivo cochlear preparations, high-numerical-aperture (1.0 N.A.) dipping objectives, live pharmacological manipulations, and integration with patch-clamp electrophysiology equipment. Simultaneous optical and electrophysiological measurements are essential for planned studies investigating dendritic signaling and neuronal function in olivocochlear efferent neurons.
The microscope will support current and future research projects involving calcium indicators, neurotransmitter indicators, and genetically encoded voltage indicators. The enhanced detector sensitivity provided by NSPARC technology is required to detect weak fluorescent signals from small cochlear neuron dendrites while maintaining temporal resolution necessary for time-lapse imaging and electrophysiological studies. The system will also support collaborative projects with other NIH investigators and extramural research partners, promoting data sharing and interoperability with existing imaging workflows.
Brand name only: Sole Source Authority - 12.102 (a) for Open Market and 8.405-6 for GSA items.
Nikon integrates both open mark and GSA products as a proprietary integration via NIS Elements Software, an exclusive Nikon interface. Items to be integrated and supported by Nikon Instruments, Inc., must be purchased through Nikon to ensure proper integration, safety standards and performance to factory specifications. Obtaining these products from an outside source with the intent to integrate with Nikon system would result in a voided factory warranty and could be in violation of Center for Devices and Radiological Health certification safety standards.
3. DELIVERY / PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
National Institutes of Health 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892
4. Price Quote The price quote shall include: • unit price, • extended price, • total quoted price, • any shipping charges, • any installation/startup/training charges, • warranty information, • any other separately priced items. The total quoted price shall include all costs necessary to provide a complete and fully functional system meeting the requirements of this solicitation.

5. SAM Registration In order to receive an award, offerors must maintain an active SAM registration for all awards throughout the entire contract/order lifecycle, from offer submission to final payment. Failure to maintain an active SAM registration can jeopardize the award or result in non-payment. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offerors/contractor ineligible for award.

6. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Quotations shall be submitted electronically to: Tina Robinson@ Robinsti@mail.nih.gov Quotations are due no later than: August 5, 2026, prior to 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time Late submissions may be rejected and not considered for award.

7. CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition open market items, in addition to any others required by law or agency policy:

52.203-11- Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions
52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
52.204-7, System for Award Management
52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance
52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services 52.232-25, Prompt Payment 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors
52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions—Representations and Certifications
52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights
52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements
52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations
52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns
52.222-3 Convict Labor
52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies
52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans
52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities
52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans
52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons
52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification
52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services
52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving
52.233-3 Protest After Award
52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim
52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services
52.247-34 F.o.b. Destination
HHSAR Clauses • HHSAR 352.203-70, Anti-Lobbying • HHSAR 352.208-70, Printing and Duplication