EVOS M5000 microscope for monitoring and documenting cultured cell images

1.0 DESCRIPTION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products prepared in accordance with RFO FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation No. 75N98026Q01227 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for EVOS M5000 Microscope for Monitoring and Documenting Cultured Cell Images.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), intends to procure, on a sole source basis, an EVOS M5000 Imaging System from the manufacturer, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

The EVOS M5000 Imaging System is required to support cell imaging and analysis conducted by the laboratory within the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The system will be used to image and analyze cells grown in culture and is a critical component of new and ongoing research projects. The EVOS M5000 Imaging System will replace aging and outdated imaging equipment that no longer meets the laboratory's current requirements for work involving cultured cells. The required system provides the specific combination of capabilities necessary for the laboratory's research, including a compact, fully integrated configuration suitable for use within the laboratory's existing biological safety cabinet (BSC); position tracking for longitudinal monitoring of live cells; integrated quantitative analysis for cell counting, confluence, and transfection/transduction efficiency; and multi-modal imaging of both live cultured cells and fixed or fluorescently stained specimens.

The Government intends to procure the EVOS M5000 Imaging System on a sole-source basis from Thermo Fisher Scientific. The required system includes a fully integrated digital inverted microscope capable of four-color fluorescence, transmitted-light, and color imaging; a high-sensitivity 3.2 MP monochrome camera; autofocus; Z-stacking; time-lapse imaging; position-sensing X/Y stage and software-based location tracking; and onboard software for cell imaging and quantitative analysis. The system is required to support cell counting, confluence assessment, and determination of transfection/transduction efficiency and shall be capable of imaging live cells and fixed or fluorescently stained cells in culture vessels and on glass microscope slides. The system shall be sufficiently compact and fully integrated to operate within the laboratory's existing biological safety cabinet.

The laboratory conducted market research and evaluated commercially available alternatives to avoid unnecessarily restricting this acquisition to a single manufacturer. Three systems were evaluated, including the Thermo Fisher Scientific EVOS M5000 Imaging System, the ECHO Revolve, and the Logos Biosystems CELENA S Digital Imaging System. Manufacturer specifications and system capabilities were reviewed and compared, including physical configuration and footprint, live-cell imaging capabilities, fluorescence and transmitted-light imaging, sample compatibility, cell-analysis functions, and longitudinal imaging capabilities. Although the ECHO Revolve and CELENA S provide several comparable microscopy functions, neither was identified as providing the complete combination of capabilities required by the laboratory. The EVOS M5000 was therefore determined to meet the laboratory's overall technical and operational requirements.

Due to the specialized nature of the laboratory's research and the Government's requirement for the specific combination of a fully integrated microscope configuration, BSC compatibility, live-cell imaging, position tracking, quantitative cell-analysis capabilities, and multi-modal imaging, the Government intends to procure the EVOS M5000 Imaging System on a sole-source basis from Thermo Fisher Scientific. Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures the EVOS M5000 Imaging System and, based on the market research conducted, is the only source identified that can satisfy the Government's complete combination of scientific and technical requirements. Use of an alternate system could require modifications to the laboratory's established imaging workflow and methodologies and could affect the laboratory's ability to conduct longitudinal cell monitoring and consistent quantitative analysis.

The contractor shall provide the Thermo Fisher Scientific EVOS M5000 Imaging System in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation. The system shall provide a fully integrated digital inverted microscope capable of four-color fluorescence, transmitted-light, and color imaging; a high-sensitivity 3.2 MP monochrome camera; autofocus; Z-stacking; time-lapse imaging; position-sensing X/Y stage and software-based location tracking; and onboard software for cell imaging and quantitative analysis. The system shall support cell counting, confluence assessment, and determination of transfection/transduction efficiency and shall be capable of imaging live cells and fixed or fluorescently stained cells in culture vessels and on glass microscope slides. The system shall be sufficiently compact and fully integrated to operate within the laboratory's existing biological safety cabinet. The contractor shall deliver the required equipment to NIEHS in Rall Building 101, laboratories E144-146, located at 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709. Acceptance will be demonstrated by successful delivery and successful operation of the specified imaging system within the NIEHS laboratory. There is no travel for this purchase.

This RFQ is being posted to the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE) in accordance with RFO FAR 5.201. This acquisition will be conducted in accordance with RFO FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, using the simplified procedures at RFO FAR 12.201-1.

Required delivery date: September 25, 2026

Delivery Location: NIEHS, Rall Building 101, Laboratories E144-146, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

The applicable NAICS code is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The applicable PSC is 6650 – Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components and Accessories.

Please see the attached requirements document titled “75N98026Q01227 – Requirements Document” for additional information.

2.0 UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CONTRACTOR

The proposed contractor, Thermo Fisher Scientific, is the manufacturer of the required EVOS M5000 Imaging System for cell imaging and analysis conducted by the laboratory within the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The required equipment is a specialized, fully integrated digital inverted microscope designed to provide four-color fluorescence, transmitted-light, and color imaging of cultured cells and fixed or fluorescently stained specimens. The system includes a high-sensitivity 3.2 MP monochrome camera, autofocus, Z-stacking, time-lapse imaging, position tracking, and integrated software for quantitative cell analysis, including cell counting, confluence assessment, and determination of transfection/transduction efficiency.

The EVOS M5000 Imaging System is specialized research equipment required to support the Government's established approach for imaging and analyzing cells grown in culture, including live-cell longitudinal monitoring and analysis of fixed or fluorescently stained specimens. The system's compact, fully integrated configuration is required to permit operation within the laboratory's existing biological safety cabinet while providing the imaging, position-tracking, and quantitative analysis capabilities necessary for the laboratory's research. Due to the specific combination of required physical configuration, BSC compatibility, live-cell imaging, position tracking, quantitative cell-analysis capabilities, and multi-modal imaging, use of an alternate system could require modifications to the laboratory's established imaging workflow and methodologies and could affect the laboratory's ability to conduct longitudinal cell monitoring and consistent quantitative analysis. Based on the market research conducted, including evaluation of the ECHO Revolve and Logos Biosystems CELENA S Digital Imaging System, Thermo Fisher Scientific is the only identified responsible source capable of providing the complete combination of capabilities required to meet the Government's scientific and technical requirements while maintaining the established laboratory workflow.

BASIS FOR AWARD

The Government intends to issue a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Thermo Fisher Scientific. However, all timely quotations received will be considered. To be considered for award, a quotation must demonstrate that the products offered satisfy all the Government's scientific and technical requirements identified in this RFQ and the attached requirements document. Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose quotation satisfies the Government's requirements and whose price is determined fair and reasonable.

RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the Office of Acquisition and Logistics Management (OALM) to determine whether the respondent can fulfill the requirement. Quotations shall identify the products being offered, manufacturer and part numbers, quantities, unit and total prices, delivery schedule, and sufficient technical information to demonstrate that the products offered satisfy all of the Government's scientific and technical requirements identified in the attached requirements document.

All responses must be sent via email to Contract Specialist, Jordan Neal, at Jordan.Neal@nih.gov, copying Contracting Officer, Alice Pagán Pereira, at Alice.Pagan@nih.gov by no later than 12:00 pm Eastern Time on Monday, September 21, 2026.

To be eligible for award, the contractor must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM.gov) in accordance with applicable requirements. Reference: 75N98026Q01227 on all correspondence.