Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscope

Seeking Sources This is a Sources Sought Only The North East Area (NEA) is issuing 12305B-19-SS-BARCSEM as a Sources Sought. The NEA has a requirement/need for Scanning Electron Microscope. The award will be for a product that meets the minimum requirements as described below. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY and a SOLICITATION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary. The government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred associated to this request for capability information. The North East Area (NEA) is issuing this sources sought request as a means ofconducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to provide the aforementioned services. The result of this market research will contribute to determining whether there are adequate sources are available from which to receive competitive proposals. Submission Instructions: Interested parties, who consider themselves qualified to provide the product as detailed are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 2:00 PM (CDT) August 21, 2019. If your organization has appropriate qualifications and capacity to provide this product, please provide the following information: (1) A complete and current record of your SAMs Registration which includes DUNS number, Organization name, address, contact name, email address, Web site address, telephone number, type of rganization, small business type (if any), etc; All questions or responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be sent to Mark O Volk, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, NEA. Supporting documents may be furnished by email at Mark.Volk@ars.usda.gov All communication shall be by email. No information will be taken by telephone. THIS IS A NOTICE FOR SOURCES SOUGHT. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. However, NEA may contact sources to gather additional information as needed. Specifications:Specifications for Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscope Electron Microscope Three types of electron detectors capable of obtaining images at both low and high vacuum settings. 1. Five back scatter detectors (a 4-quadrant type and an annular type) especially for use at low vacuum settings. Capable of obtaining a "live" 3-dimensional (3D) image within two (2) minutes of initial scanning; 2. Three secondary electron detectors, one low, one mid-level and the other high that can be used individually or simultaneously for obtaining high resolution images. 3. An Ultra Variable Pressure Detector (UVD) unique in its ability to image in both high and low vacuum modes at a very high resolution but in cathodo-luminescence visible imaging which is essential for biological samples. Capable of a large variable vacuum range (10-300Pa) (low vacuum) and high vacuum (7 x 10-4 Pa) with a range of 1 to 30kV which can be easily and quickly switched between low and high vacuum modes via software without the physical insertion or removal of adaptor biasing lens. Fully integrated system with Schottky emission electron gun which provides a stable, high emission electron source for high magnification and resolution imaging. Magnification of 20x-2,000,000x with a resolution of 0.9nm at 1kV and 0.8nm at 15kV. The lower magnification (as low as 20X) in variable pressure mode is required to observe entire organisms prior to higher magnification imaging. Utilizes a "heated" moveable objective aperture to improve the length of time the operator can use the SEM. Allows for high definition image capture of up to 40,000 x 40,000 pixels to help preserve the fine details often seen from surface information. Standard Size Adjustable Height Computer Table (45" W x 27" D x 22-48" H) with 2 monitor arms for two 24 inch monitors. Cryo-Prep System A gas cooled cryo-preparation system mounted onto the column of a SEM for observing high water content biological samples in pristine form without shrinkage or deformation due to vacuum pressure or high beam strength from the SEM. The Prepdek workstation for preparing biological specimens for freezing, including plunge freezing and freeze fracturing. Liquid nitrogen gas cooled preparation chamber for transferring biological samples from room temperature under atmospheric pressure to -130oC within a high vacuum SEM; decontamination of frosted samples (freeze etching); coating with platinum using a sputter coater for maximum contrast; and transfer into the cryo-stage inside the SEM. Liquid nitrogen gas cooled cryo-stage inside the SEM with cold trap to prevent contamination. Temperature control for the system is through the use of a recipe driven intuitive PC programmed touch-screen panel with CCD camera capabilities for observation and collection of data of the entire process.