Market Survey for an Automated Microbial Cell Counter System

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) to identify potential sources to provide information on a Microbial Cell Counter System to include main instrument, supporting instruments, consumables, and reagents. The system shall be specifically optimized for enumeration of bacterial cell suspensions. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to Patrick.j.marek4.civ@army.mil by April 12, 2023 Description: Automated Microbial Cell Counter System (to conduct automated rapid bacterial cell quantitation of culture suspensions). Specific Specifications: Image-based bacterial cell counter, automated enumeration capable of object detection, declustering of bacterial groups, size and shape characterization, measurement of multiple fields for improved enumeration accuracy. Cell counter should have learning algorithms for improving accuracy as more samples are collected over time. Instrument should be stand alone without need for network access. All supporting equipment, consumables and reagents need to be identified in sources identified. Deliverables: Interested sources should provide information on their products and the complete cost to acquire said system. Information for set up and familiarization of the system should also be included. All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF, MS PowerPoint, Visio, or MS Excel files. Respondents: The White Paper should be written in respondent format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt. Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover. This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address). The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who. Example focus areas: Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that currently meet or will be able to meet the enclosed requirements. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products that may be able to meet or exceed the requirements. As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government. Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution. For Foreign companies: Discuss how the proposer will be able to work with the US Government in the future (i.e, US subsidiary or partner) if required. Additional documentation accepted (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint presentations, Training documentation, product specification sheets, user handbook/guides, pictures, link to demonstrations, test data, etc. Test, Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation: Vendors are requested to provide any supporting documentation illustrating safety certification, government approval, test data, etc. Cost. Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the beta.SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM-SC via e-mail ONLY to Patrick.j.marek4.civ@army.mil no later than April 12, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to Patrick.j.marek4.civ@army.mil and Donna.m.glowka.civ@army.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement. Contracting Office Address: BLDG 1 1 General Green Ave. Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5011 Primary Point of Contact: Patrick J. Marek, Patrick.j.marek4.civ@army.mil Secondary Point of Contact Donna Glowka, Donna.m.glowka.civ@mail.mil