Combined Synopsis Solicitation - Zeiss LSM 880 Upg

The National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director, Office of Acquisitions, is seeking to award a firm-fixed-price contract for the upgrade of a Zeiss LSM 980 confocal microscope to enhance 4D live-cell imaging capabilities for the National Institute on Aging. This acquisition, identified under solicitation number 75N98026Q00727/PCA-NIA-05850, is conducted as a combined synopsis and solicitation under FAR Subpart 12.6 for commercial items, with full and open competition expected. The contract will require the delivery and integration of specific hardware and software components including the Lightfield 4D module, Zen 3.13 software, an HP Z8 G5 workstation, an autoimmersion module with spare parts, and a Viluma light source, all configured to be fully compatible with existing imaging systems such as the LSM 990, LSM 900 cryo, and XB550 FIB-SEM. The performance must result in improved imaging speed, Airyscan 2 compatibility, and seamless workflow integration within the NIA’s current infrastructure. Delivery is required within six months of contract award to the NIH/NIA facility in Baltimore, Maryland, with FOB Destination terms placing full responsibility for delivery and condition on the contractor. The solicitation emphasizes commercial item acquisition procedures, incorporating key FAR clauses including 52.212-4 for contract terms and conditions, 52.204-7 and 52.204-18 for SAM.gov and UEI compliance, and HHSAR 352.222-70 regarding equal employment opportunity cooperation. No options to extend the contract or services are available, and no military packaging or marking standards apply; however, vendors must provide accurate product IDs, catalog numbers, and descriptions along with active SAM registration and UEI. Proposals must include unit and total pricing, delivery schedule, and shipping details and must be submitted electronically via email to johnsonjr@mail.nih.gov by July 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. Evaluation will be based on price, technical capability, past performance, and delivery schedule without assigned weights, with award determined based on best value to the government, allowing for trade-offs between cost and non-price factors. The solicitation explicitly notes that Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC is the sole source capable of meeting the technical specifications, but competition