LSM 700 and LSM 780 Microscope Upgrades (Desktop Computers and 405 nm Laser)

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is NIH-NINDS-CSS-19-5345577 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-03 thru July 12, 2019. The associated NAICS code 334516, "Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing" and the small busisess size standard 1000 employees. This requirement is full and open with no set-aside restrictions. Contract Type: A firm-fixed price type contract is contemplated for this requirement. Background Information and Objective: The Zeiss 700 is our most-often used confocal microscope. Our lab uses a confocal microscope to image whole brains and specific neurons in the Drosophila fly. In order to produce comprehensive images that indicate the location of cell nuclei, we require a new laser to excite blue dyes and fluorophores. We require a 405 nm laser that is compatible with the Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscope LSM 700 instrumentation setup we currently have. Additionally, the Dendrite Morphology and Plasticity Unit (DMPU) Lab requires two computers to run our confocal microscopes, specifically the ZEN software. The existing computers have been stress-tested to work without specific instrument setups. Due to security requirements by the NIND IT Department, all computers connected to the shared network drive must run Windows 10. Our computers are now six years old, and an upgrade for two computers is needed at this time to ensure that experimental data is not lost or corrupted due to a breakdown of the computers. Statement of Need and Purpose: We require a 405 nm laser that is compatible with Carl Zeiss Confocal Microscope LSM 700 instrumentation setup we currently have. We also require two computer workstations that can run the ZEN software and can be connected to the NIH network drive. Two computers are needed for proper data storage derived from mission critical experimental data for the LSM 700 and LSM 780 microscopes. Salient Characteristics: The contractor shall be able to provide the following brand name or equal Carl Zeiss LSM 700 and 780 Workstations and 405 nm laser: PC Computers: - Computers shall run Windows 10 operasting system. - Computers shall be able to run proprietary ZEN software; specific to the Carl Zeiss confocal imagins systems. - Computers shall have a Solid-State-Drive SSD 512 GB, at least 8 TB of Memory - Contractor shall building the computers based on these specification and test on a replication of a configuration confocal imaging system currently in use by the laboratory, both the LSM700 and LSM780. Laser - Laser shall produce a 405 nm excitation that can be routed into a Carl Zeiss LSM 700 and operated from the ZEN software. - Laser shall contain generation housing less than 40 lbs Please see the attached Purchase Description for more details. Other Applicable Provisions and Instructions 1) The provision at FAR clause 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999), applies to this acquisition. 2) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is attached. 3) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (a) The Government will award a fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation to the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) offer. To be technically acceptable, the offer must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Purchase Description including salient characteristics, quantity, delivery and warranty requirements. (b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiationsafter its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. 4) The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer. 5) The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. 6) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See attached document, "FAR 52.212-5 Applicable Clauses", for clauses applicable to this acquisition. 7) The provision of FAR Clause 52.204-24, is applicable to the solicitation and attached. Offerors are requested to complete and sign this attached provision and include with any submitted quotation. 8) FAR Clause 52.204-25, is applicable to the solicitation and attached. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance; special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations. Respondents proposing on an equal product of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order. Please be advised that the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NI'NDS) is an Institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is a Federal agency. Your mass-market commercial and/or license agreement may include provisions that are customarily found in the commercial sector but which are not appropriate for a contract with a Federal agency. Specifically, NINDS considers any provision in your mass-market commercial and/or license agreement to be inappropriate and unenforceable that: (1) Contravenes a right granted NINDS under U.S. copyright law (e.g., fair use, right to archive, copying for interlibrary loan), (2) Violated the Federal Acquisition Regulation or other Federal law (e.g., Antideficiency Act, Principles of Federal Appropriations Law), (3) Departs from reasonable consumer expectations and was not disclosed by the Licensor prior to agreement, or (4) Violates fundamental public policy. NINDS shall assume that you are in agreement with the statements herein if you submit a quotation. In addition the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov." There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. All responses must be received by 11 A.M. EST on September 12, 2019 and reference solicitation number NIH-NINDS-CSS-19-5345577 Responses may be submitted electronically to danny.cohn@nih.gov. Fax responses will not be accepted.