Notice of Intent Sole Source Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E with Perfect Focus Microscope System for NINDS

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE/PROPOSALS. The NINDS Contracts Management Section of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), intends to solicit on a sole-source basis by a request for quotation to Nikon Instruments, Inc. on or around July 13, 2018 with an award issued on or around July 27, 2018. The purpose of the resultant contract will be to provide the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) with a Nikon Ti2-E with Perfect Focus Microscope System in order to conduct genetic screens to help identify interactors and partners in different biological pathways. This type of novel screen requires the use of a high-resolution, high-speed, movement-sensitive microscope. Additionally, it requires an open-source infrastructure that will allow NINDS to use its customized interface. The NINDS has developed custom machine learning software for extant Nikon equipment and would be cost and time prohibitive to re-produce for non-Nikon equipment. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 334516 with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees or fewer. This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses, but rather is a sole-source acquisition to Nikon Instruments, Inc. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF REQUIREMENT Neurodegenerative disorders are broadly defined as a heterogeneous group of diseases all presenting with gradual, progressive loss of neuronal structure and function. One of the common pathophysiological features of many neurodegenerative disorders is the presence of dysfunctional mitochondria. Most notably, mitochondrial dysfunction, along with misfolded protein accumulation, are hallmarks of some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders - Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - and many other less common neurodegenerative diseases. In each of these conditions, multiple mitochondrial functions are impaired, ranging from mitochondrial morphology and aggregation to ATP formation. While all of these conditions exhibit loss of mitochondrial function, the specific mechanisms behind the loss of function are still being elucidated. Of the many neurodegenerative disorders with links to mitochondrial dysfunction, Parkinson's Disease is the most well-studied. In cell biology, the identification of new genetically encoded pathways is of essential for scientific advancements and drug development. Over the years, scientists have relied on genetic screens to help identify interactors and partners in different pathways. Historically, these genetic screens were performed in yeast; but in order to develop therapeutic treatments for humans, this work is best performed in human cells. Traditionally, RNAi-based screens have been used to elucidate pathways in human cells. In order to help elucidate the contribution of mitochondria to Parkinson's Disease progression, we have used functional genomic screens to identify novel regulators in the past. However, this type of approach has limitations, namely, lack of specificity leading to numerous false positive hits. Another limitation of functional genomic screens is that they rely on connecting genetic perturbations to a phenotype on a subcellular level. In order to establish this connection, an arrayed screen is often used, where hundreds of thousands of samples are perturbed on a mass scale; this creates a bottleneck of data analysis. Additionally, the reproducibility is limited. Therefore, we have developed a novel technique that uses machine learning to detect pre-determined phenotypes in a pooled screen. With this approach, we are able to bypass the limitations of an arrayed screen because the sampling number is smaller. Additionally, by using a revolutionary genetic engineering technology - CRISPR/Cas9- we have a screening method more specific than RNAi. Importantly, this pooled screen is more financially sustainable than an arrayed screen. At the moment, our approach is limited by the equipment that we use. The microscope that we currently use is not meeting the needs of the project effectively. This type of novel screen requires the use of a high-resolution, high-speed, movement-sensitive microscope. In addition, it requires an open-source infrastructure that will allow us to use our customized interface. Currently, there is no microscope on the NINDS premises that can perform all of the necessary functions. This type of genetic screen can only be performed on a microscope that has both high-resolution and high-speed in a wide field of view. These parameters will allow us to not only sample more efficiently but also more quickly. By using the unique open-source NIKON Elements module, we will be able to perform on-the-fly image analysis allowing us to collect pre-defined phenotypes. Ultimately, we will be able to interface all parameters of the microscope while simultaneously incorporating our customized algorithms. Neurodegenerative disorders are a devastating class of diseases with few therapeutic options and largely unresolved mechanisms of disease progression. This screen will aid us in revealing new aspects of cellular pathways that could ultimately be used in developing therapeutic treatments. CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION The Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope must interface with internally-developed custom machine learing software that was developed for existing Nikon microscopes in the lab. This custom machine learning software is capable of interfacing with a confocal microscope to capture images, laser stimulation, and analysis on-the-fly. Using support vector machine-based learning, the NINDS developed algorithm uses images captured and processed by the microscope to identify pre-determined phenotypes and then subsequently feeds this information back into the microscope system to isolate cells of interest. Based on this co-dependency, the NINDS-developed algorithm must interface perfectly with the imaging software. The NINDS custom module was integrated within the Nikon software environment during the development of the algorithm. The synchronization of the algorithm with image acquisition steps was a complex process which required immense technical support. This internally-developed software provides users with all the tools to anlyze complex images. Futhermore, all of these capabilities are available to use during image acquisition, rather than needing to be applied post-acquisition, thereby creating a seamless platform. In order to create this platform with any equipment other than the Nikon Brand Name equipment would require immense effort from hardware and software engineers causing unacceptable delays and duplication of costs toward planned research efforts. In accordance with FAR part 10, extensive market research was conducted to reach this determination. Specifically, a Sources Sought notice was posted to FedBizOpps referencing the above detailed requirements and no responses were received. Additionally, contacts with knowledgeable individuals both in industry and Government, as well as reviews of available product literature, revealed no other sources. A review of the GSA Advantage, Dynamic Small Business Search, and previous government acquisitions returned no results that meet all of the requirements. Finally, Nikon Instruments verified that there were no authorized dealers/distributors for this particular equipment. Therefore, only Nikon Instruments, Inc. is found to be capable of meeting the needs of this requirement. The intended source is: Nikon Instruments, Inc. 1300 Walt Whitman Rd, Fl 2 Melville, NY 11747-3001 Trade Name/Model/Part Number: (1) Trade name: Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope with Perfect Focus (2) Product's brand name: Nikon Eclipse Ti2-E Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope with Perfect Focus (3) Manufacturer's name: Nikon Instruments (4) Model and part number: Nikon P/N Qty Descripition MEA54000 1 Ti2-E Inverted Motorized Microscope Stand MEF55037 1 Ti2-E Controller MXA22149 1 S-TI2-EXT External Trigger Cable MEB55830 1 Ti2-T-BS Binocular Body Base Unit (Simple) MEB52520 1 TC-T-ER Ergo Binocular Tube MAK10110 2 CFI 10X EYEPIECE F.N. 22MM-NC MEP59394 1 Ti2-ND-P Perfect Focus System 4 MEE59920 1 Ti2-D-PD Diascopic Illumination Pillar MEE55700 1 Ti2-D-LHLED Transmitted Light LED Lamphouse MEV50010 1 Ti2-D-SF Diacopic Illumination Slider MBN11710 1 Daylight NCB11 Filter, 45mm MBN11200 1 Filter 45mm, GIF Green Interference (546/60nm) MBN21816 1 Filter 45mm, ND16A Multi-Coated Neutral Density MBN21808 1 Filter 45mm, ND8A Multi-Coated Neutral Density MEL51005 1 TC-C-TC Condenser Turret, Seven Position MEL56200 1 TC-C-LWD Lens Unit for System Condenser Turret MEV51030 1 Ti2-F-FLT-E Motorized Epi Fluorescence Turret MXA22147 1 S-TI2-DCL Daisy Cable Long MXA22146 1 S-TI2-DCS Daisy Cable Short MEV50020 1 TI2-F-FSC Circle Field Stop Slider MXA22152 1 Ti2-D-LSK Laser Safety kit MXA22158 1 S-Ti2I-LU Interlock Cable MEE54840 1 TI2-LA-BM-E Motorized Main Branch MEE54730 1 TI2-LA-FLL Epi Fluorescence Module Large Field 77060085 1 SOLA SE II Light Engine, Solid State While-Light 77060021 2 Liquid Light Guide for Lumencor, 3mm diam 96369 1 C-FLL Large Field of View DAPI SOLA Filter Set 96372 1 C-FLL Large Field of View GFP/FITC/Cy2 Filter Set 96374 1 C-FLL Large Field of View DSRed/TRITC/Cy3 Filter 96376 1 C-FLL Large Field of View Cy5 Filter Set 97050 1 USB 2.0 A-B 15ft Cable 79035 1 Power Cord 120V, Lead Free 99928 1 CSU-W1 50um pinhole disk array 77014567 2 ET455/50m, DAPI-ET Emission Filter 77014803 2 ET525/36m Emission Filter, max blocking 77074493 2 ET605/52m Emission Filter 25mm 77074329 2 ET705/72m Emission Filter, Far Red Emission 77074021 2 69000M DAPI/FITC/TRITC TRPL BP FLTR 25MM 99931 1 Ti sealed microscope adapter for CSUW-1 MQD42005 1 C-DA C-Mount/Iso Adapter 1x 99933 1 DM A561LP for CSUW-1 99936 1 Full Mirror for CSUW-1 99935 1 Dummy Glass for CSUW-1 77018291 1 Photometrics Prime 95B Back-illum sCMOS camer MEE58100 1 TI-LA-DMS DMD Module MEE54880 1 TI2-LA-BS Sub Branch MEV53002 1 TI-LA-LEDAD LED Adapter MQF52055 1 AC Adapter 97337 1 C-TIRF Filter Cube 405nm Reflection 77060079 1 AURA Solid State Triggerable Illuminator 77060017 1 DB 15HD to 7Xbnc cable for TTL control MEE58017 2 TI-LA-Exchangable Mirror (100% Reflect) 91172 1 405nm Reflect/430-800nm Transmit Mirror 79035 1 Power Cord 120V, Lead Free 77038033 1 P-736.ZRN2S PlNano Z K Plate Scanning System 77038024 1 Microscope Universal Holder for Slides and Petri 77038007 1 Well Plate Holder for Pl Nano Z 200um piezo stage 77038006 1 Slide Holder for PI Nano Z 200um stage 77057437 1 Custom Microscope Lexan Enclosure for CO2 77057500 1 H2O1 Gas chamber for Physik Instr PI P-736 77057343 1 Temperature control unit - Bold Line 77057333 1 Touch Screen Controller 77057528 1 Multi-Well Plate insert for H201 Incubation System 77057463 1 1"x3" chamber slider holder - magnetic 77057461 1 Lab-Tek II 1"x2" Chambered Cover Glass Holder 77057434 1 Optional KOEHLER Lid 77057348 1 CO2 Controller - Bold Line 77057342 1 Air pump - Bold Line 77057436 1 Vibration Free Humidifying Module 77011523 1 Prior High Speed Linear Motor Stage for Nikon Ti 77011524 1 Prior Proscan III LD controller with linear drives 77011545 1 Joystick and Interactive Control Center MQS41100 1 NIS-Elements: Hardware Module MRD00105 1 CFI60 Plan Apochromat Lambda 10x Obj Lens MRD70200 1 CFI60 Plan Aprochromat VC 20x Obj Lens MRD77200 1 CFI60 Aprochromat Lambda S LWD 20x Water Im MRD77410 1 CFI60 Apochromat Lambda S LWD 40x Water Im MRD00605 1 CFI60 Plan Apochromat Lambda 60x Obj Lens MEV54006 1 TI2-N-WID Water Immersion Dispenser 77019717 1 Advanced Biosystem Workstation HP Z840 77019701 2 27" LED Backlit IPS narrow bezel monitor 77013240 1 NI PXI-1033 Controller; 5 Slot PXI Xchassis 77013241 1 NI PXI 6723 DAQ 77013235 1 BNC-2115 Shielded BNC connector block 77013226 1 NI BNC-2110 Shielded BNC and terminal conn 77013227 2 SHC68-68-EPM, 68-D-Type to 68 VHDCI Offset MQS34000 1 NIS-Elements High Content Package for Multiwell MQS42560 1 NIS-Elements: Module 6D Imaging MQS41960 1 NIS-ELEMENTS HARDWARE MODULE MQS41930 1 Device control for Sutter DG4/5, AOTF, Agilent, MQS41220 1 NIS-Elements: Hardware Module Wavelength contr MQS41920 1 Controls Shutter and Illumination EXFO and SOLA MQS42780 1 Device Control for External Triggering th camera MQS41320 1 NIS-Elements Hardware Module Motor Focus Cntrl 77019718 1 Zenith Workstaton HP Z840 MQS31500 1 NIS-Elements Adv Research Passive License MQS43040 1 NIS-Elements High Content Upgrade Module 77049153 1 36"x48" Vibration Isolation Table 77049013 1 Set of 4 Casters for Vibration Isol Table 92084 1 Large Nycle Dust Cover 14"x26.5"x32" MXA22168 1 30cc Non-Fluorescing Immersion Oil F 77049107 1 Subshelf for Vibration Isolation Table MED54550 1 Ti2-FP Fixing Plate Salient characteristics: Nikon Instruments' newest inverted microscope, the Eclipse Ti2-E improves upon the market-leading performance of the Eclipse Ti with several key enhancements, including an industry-leading 25mm field of view, Perfect Focus 4 drift correction system, and several key improvements in optical and mechanical design. This particular instrument offers the largest available field of view on the market, increased motor speed and stability, as well as compatibility with various imaging modalities. System includes a CSU-W1 model spinning disk confocal scanner from Yokogawa. This system provides increased pinhole spacing and thus reduced spatial crosstalk between adjacent pinholes, a dual camera scanhead, and dual emission filters. Furthermore, this system comes with the powerful NIS-Elements software, providing a comprehensive suite of acquisition and analysis features. Importantly, this NIS-Elements software is fully compatible with custom acquisition scripting, allowing us to handle image processing and analysis using our custom-made program. Due to the features detailed above and many more, the Eclipse Ti2-E is the only microscope that could work for our unique needs. Delivery Date: 60-90 days after the order is received Delivery Location: National Institutes of Health Porter Neuroscience Research Buidling Bldg. 35, Rm. 2C917 35 Convent Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 Contract Type: A firm-fixed price type contract is planned for this acquisition consistent with commercial practices. Warranty: Industry standard CLOSING STATEMENT THIS NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE-SOURCE BASIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must provide evidence that they can provide equipment that meets all of the requirements in this announcement. All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIH-NINDS-NOI-18-4949992. Responses must be submitted electronically to Nancy Lamon-Kritikos, Section Head, NINDS Contracts Management Branch, NIDA, at nancy.lamon-kritikos@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and Fax responses will not be accepted.