Hybrid Upright/Inverted Fluorescence Microscope

The U.S. Air Force Academy, under the Department of Defense, is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice for a Hybrid Upright/Inverted Fluorescence Microscope system, identified by solicitation number FA700026Q0062, with a response deadline of June 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM MDT. The procurement is tied to NAICS code 333310 and PSC 6650, targeting manufacturers or suppliers capable of delivering a fully integrated, high-performance imaging system with motorized Z-focus, automated objective turret, LED-based transmitted and epi-fluorescence illumination, DIC and phase contrast capabilities, a motorized sCMOS camera with at least five megapixels, computational clearing software for real-time image processing, vibration isolation, and a live-cell incubation enclosure for stable long-term imaging. The requirement is stated in brand-agnostic technical terms aligned with industry best practices, emphasizing optical performance, system automation, and software functionality without referencing specific standards like ISO or ANSI. Submission must include the offeror’s CAGE code, Unique Entity ID, business size certification under the 1,000-employee threshold for small business classification, socioeconomic status, capability statement, product literature, and indication of availability via GSA MAS or GWAC contracts. The system is to be delivered and installed on-site at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with mandatory on-site training provided by authorized personnel. A minimum one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship is required. While the notice does not specify FOB terms, packaging, preservation, or marking requirements, it does indicate that acceptance will occur at the place of performance based on compliance with the Minimum Salient Characteristics outlined in the technical specifications. No formal evaluation factors, award criteria, contract pricing, or funding details are included, as this is a pre-solicitation market research tool and not a formal Request for Proposal; no contract clauses, inspection criteria beyond performance specifications, or invoicing instructions are specified. Responses must be submitted electronically via email to Ronald Wilson and Dawson Hopkinson by the deadline, and contractors may address concerns through the Department of the Air Force Ombudsman process. All information is intended to inform potential future solicitation development, and no contract award is guaranteed at this stage.