Purchase of a High Resolution/High Capacity Digital Tissue Slide Scanner and Image Analysis Software

Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E144, Bethesda, MD 20892, UNITED STATES I. Description The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LBMB) intends to procure the Brand Name or Equivalent Purchase of a Leica Aperio AT2 Whole or equal High Resolution/High Capacity Digital Tissue SlideScanner and Image Analysis Software. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation: No. RFQ-N02CP42624-62 includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR FAC 2005-76 (August 2014) simplified procedures for commercial items. The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. II. Description of Requirement The Molecular Pathology Unit (MPU) is an NCI resource unit that has two key interrelated roles. The MPU develops, correlates and interprets novel protocols in molecular diagnostics and plays a role indeveloping applications in noninvasive medical imaging for animal models. The MPU Unit also operates a PhD-granting research training program in comparative molecular pathology through a university-NCI graduate partnership program. Through its training program, the MPU both extends comparative pathology expertise provided by veterinarians to the CCR, and it conducts research. The MPU both interprets histopathology specimens and assists investigators with procuring unique microdissected elements of those specimens in the context of cancer disease for further laboratory analysis. Important aspects of analysis aided by pathologist input include the morphometric quantitative assessment of a lesion and the immunohistochemical investigation of defined regions of a tissue section from the subject analysis. The Tissue Slide Scanner and Image Analysis Software Compatible operating System. system permits large scale archived collections of histopathology specimens that require an image library to be created in order for the research community to be able to access long-term large scale animal studies, that would be expensive for the research community to recreate, and to evaluate specimens and generate data from multiple specimens concurrently. In its mission, the Molecular Pathology Unit (MPU) supports the NCI with whole slide digital scanning, documentation, and computer assisted digital image analysis. The current system supports 32 PIs and over 90 users within those PI laboratories. NCI database houses over 30,000 images. The following features are necessary: Digital Slide Scanner Specifications: - Scan whole tissue slides, providing images with infinite focus (Z stacks) from 0 to 40x. - Resolution must be at least 0.5?m/pixel for a 20x image and 0.25 ?m/pixel for a 40x image. - Provide slide overview image as well as slide label image. - Images must be sent automatically from scanner to database seamlessly on our current server. - Provide high quality images at both 20X and 40X optical resolutions. - Must produce images with no discernible - stitching artifact. - Ability to reduce file size by skipping blank stripes. - LED light source to reduce need for bulb replacement. - Must produce images using an objective with appropriate numerical aperture of at least 0.75. - Instrument must fit the current footprint space (23.5 (H) x 16 (W) x 25.5 (D) (59.7cm x 40.6cm x 64.7cm). - Must have 400 slide capacity. - The scanner must be able to scan an entire batch of slides without user intervention; including finding the appropriate tissue area's and full multi-point auto-focus. - Should the scanner fail to scan a given slide in a processing batch, the scanner must be able to recover and complete the remainder of the batch without user interventions. - Scan speed must be least 60 seconds or less for a 20x scan (15x15mm) or 155 seconds or less for a 40x scan (15x15mm). - Digital images created must be compatible with all Aperio analysis software we currently own (GENIE, Nuclear, Color deconvolution, Microvessel density, Co-localization, and Rare event). Image Analysis Software Specifications: - Capacity to do whole slide imaging as well as regions of interest. - Report whole image data as well as individual cell data and maintain an interactive link between cell metrics and cell imagery. - Ability to set RGB values during an algorithm configuration by clicking on desired color on image. - Ability to move annotation lines once drawn by dragging and without having to erase and redraw. - Ability to continue the same annotation line after stopping and starting again. - Figure maker capabilities that automatically format presentation, number images, add correct scale bars and reference frames for each image with a click of a button; and include up to 9 images. - Data extracted from analysis can be exported directly into, and saved as, an Excel spreadsheet without additional manipulation. III. Delivery Contractor(s) shall deliver the item within sixty (60) days after award to NIH/NCI Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The Contractor that receives the award will be provided with the complete mailing address and point of contact. Upon delivery, contractor must notify the NCI Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to schedule the installation date and time. IV. Installation and Training To be carried out by the manufacturer and shall occur within approximately one week of delivery. V. Payment Payment shall be made after delivery, installation, and successful operation of the camera parts. Payment authorization requires submission and approval of invoice to the NCI COR and NIH Commercial Accounts. QUOTATIONS ARE DUE: September 15, 2014 4:00 pm, EST. PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The following provisions and clauses will be incorporated by reference: 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as quote mark brand name or equal, quote mark the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government's needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that quote mark equal quote mark products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of quote mark equal quote mark products; including quote mark equal quote mark products of the brand name manufacturer, must- (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by: (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate quote mark equal quote mark products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is a quote mark equal quote mark product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. (End of provision) 52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors Commercial Items (April 2014) 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items: The purchase order will be awarded to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). The award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of quotations meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for the requirements/technical specifications stated above. The technical evaluation will be a determination based on information furnished by the vendor. The Government is not responsible for locating or securing any information which is not identified in the proposal. The Government reserves the right to make an award without discussions. 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items (May 2014) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. 52.247-34 FOB Destination 52.212-5 Contract terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders---Commercial Items (July 2014). The following additional FAR clauses cited in this clause are applicable: (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S .C. 2402) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First Tier Subcontract Awards 52.209-6, Protecting the Government' Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving 52.222-3, Convict Labor 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans 52.225-1 Buy American Act - Supplies 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer System for awards Management 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies-Fixed Price 52.233-3, Protest After Award 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim Full text copies of the representations and certifications for other cited provisions and clauses many be obtained on line at the NCI website at http://ncioa.cancer.gov/oa-internet/reference.jsp or from Tiffany Kittrell Contract Specialist at Tiffany.kittrell@nih.gov. Quotations must be received in the NCI-OA contracting office by 4:00 p.m. EST on September 16, 2014. Please refer to the solicitation number N02CP42624-62 on all correspondence. No collect calls will be accepted. Faxed or electronic mail quotations will be accepted. Equipment trade in value of the Leica Aperio XT Scanner #1325 will be considered in pricing. OFFERORS: Offers must be submitted on an SF-1449 with a completed 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items-with DUNS Number Addendum, signed by an authorized representative of the offeror OR provide a copy of the valid certification registrations of the offeror's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov. All questions shall be in writing and may be addressed to the aforementioned individual noted above by September 12, 2014. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representation and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov. Primary Point of Contact: Tiffany Kittrell, Contract Specialist Tiffanykittrell@nih.gov Phone: 240-276-5434 Fax: 240-276-5399 Secondary Point of Contact: Seena Ninan, Contracting Officer seena.ninan@nih.gov Phone: 240-276-5419 Contracting Office Address: 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E141, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States. Allow Vendors To Add/Remove From Interested Vendors: No Allow Vendors To View Interested Vendors List: No Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No