HORIBA LabRAM Soleil Confocal Raman Imaging Microscope

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with HORIBA Instruments Incorporated, 20 Knightsbridge Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, for one (1) LabRAM Soleil Confocal Raman Imaging Microscope and accessories for the National Marine Fisheries Service in Panama City, FL. Background This instrument will be used in calibration model development for a concurrent, NOAA Fisheries funded project that is investigating Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy as a rapid, alternative method for providing age estimates for stock assessments. The HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope will be used to investigate the molecular constituents and simultaneously measure the organic and mineral fractions in otoliths, as well as several other biological samples (e.g., reproductive tissue, eye lenses, etc.) collected from economically important and federally-managed fish species. Understanding the chemical, mineral, and molecular constituents in otoliths and how they change as fish age is the most critical component to operationalizing the FT-NIR spectroscopy technology across NOAA Fisheries fish ageing laboratories, and the HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope is essential to fulfill this research objective. Sole Source Justification HORIBA Instruments Incorporated is the sole company to manufacture, sell, and support the LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope. A review from online sources of other manufacturer's Raman microscopes clearly show that they do not meet the unique instrument specifications that are included with the HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope, and therefore, will not meet the requirements needed to fulfill NOAA Fisheries project objectives of identifying chemical, mineral, and molecular structures in otoliths with the highest resolution needed to resolve Raman spectral peaks. Market research indicates similar products cannot be modified to meet agency needs due to specific patents that HORIBA Instruments Incorporated utilizes in the LabRAM Soleil Confocal Raman Imaging Microscope and software that are not available from other vendors. HORIBA Instruments Incorporated will be an integral part of the development of confocal Raman imaging microscopy methodologies. The data and information gained from the purchase of the HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil Confocal Raman Imaging Microscope will be directly applicable to the concurrent, NOAA funded FT-NIR spectroscopy project for fish ageing. The HORIBA Instruments Incorporated Raman application scientists will assist with the previously funded, multi-year NOAA Strategic Initiative project in developing age calibration models for FT-NIR spectroscopy as a rapid, alternative, objective method for estimating fish age. The data products from the HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil Confocal Raman Imaging Microscope will be used to calibrate the FT-NIR spectroscopy models, which will be utilized in fish stock assessments to assist in regional and national management stock decisions that support a multi-billion dollar industry in U.S. waters. There would be a high risk of compromising results (e.g., not able to identify the chemical, mineral, or molecular structure of otoliths so that ages estimated from FT-NIR spectroscopy cannot be understood so that stock assessment scientists cannot account for the ageing error that could occur in stock assessment models) if another instrument were to be acquired. The purchase of the HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil Confocal Raman Imaging Microscope is necessary to elucidate what FT-NIR measures in an otolith that is so closely related to age, particularly at the highest spectral resolution available with a confocal Raman microscope. Once we fully understand this relationship and how it changes as fish age can we, as NOAA Fisheries scientists, have confidence in the FT-NIR age estimates. Perhaps even more importantly, a sound, scientific understanding of the FT-NIR technology as it applies to otoliths and aging is needed when this information is disseminated to our stakeholders (e.g., fishery management councils, fishers, public, etc.). Market research shows that the LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope has better spectral resolution (i.e., ability to - resolve'a peak in spectrum) due to having a longer focal path length (330mm) than other Raman microscopes. This allows for minor differences in peaks to be resolved, which is essential to meet the agency's needs of identifying molecular constituents and minerals that change as a fish ages. The LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope is currently the fastest Raman microscope available in that it can provide imaging and mapping capabilities of 1ms/spectrum. The LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope has a standard configuration that allows for Photoluminescence, Electroluminescence, photocurrent, and upconversion hyperspectral imaging. The LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope allows for up to 6 motorized lasers to be installed, whereas other vendors systems only allow for 3 motorized lasers. Having the option to add more than 3 motorized lasers will add flexibility to the diversity of biological sample types that can be analyzed, which will allow the instrument to be utilized for other research interests, particularly within NOAA and other government agencies. The LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope has many unique features that are not available with other Raman microscopes. For example, the LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope includes TM-patented Q-Scan laser scan imaging and TM-patented Q-Scan laser lightsheet confocal scanning and imaging, which enables scanning of the excitation laser over the sample surface and allows the user to 1) image multilayer samples with high confocality, which is essential to achieve the highest spatial resolution, 2) the ability to map the sample without having to move the sample, and 3) allows for the user to - point-and-shoot directly on the displayed video image. Market research was unable to identify any other Raman microscope that has the same functionality as the Q-Scan. The LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope also includes a TM-patented SmartSampling algorithm, which can generate maps and images of samples up to 100x faster than conventional systems, and therefore, increases work performance and efficiencies for producing hyperspectral maps and images. Since this is a relatively new area of research in fisheries biology, it is necessary to have dedicated application expertise for this type of instrument. HORIBA Instruments Incorporated Raman application scientists provide full collegial support for the LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope and are willing to assist in the development, optimization, and implementation of using confocal Raman microscopy for investigations of otoliths, reproductive tissues, eye lenses, and other biological tissues of fish. Understanding the molecular constituents in otoliths and how they change as fish age is the most critical component to operationalizing the FT-NIR spectroscopy technology that is currently being investigated across NOAA Fisheries fish ageing laboratories, and purchase of the HORIBA Instruments Incorporated LabRAM Soleil confocal Raman imaging microscope will provide a next step toward achieving this objective since this instrument provides all of the functionalities needed to help identify the chemical, mineral, and molecular constituents at the micro level required. Special Notice This is the only notice to be posted. This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the needed microscope and be in compliance with the above justification may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to shelley.smith@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to HORIBA Instruments Incorporated. DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.