Purchase of Insight SSI 7-Color Mixed for IX71 and a DeltaVision Upgrade Level 1

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), has the requirement to procure an Insight SSI 7-Color Mixed for IX71 and a DeltaVision Upgrade Level 1 for performance upgrades from, GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp., 800 Centennial Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08855-1327. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisitions procedures as stated in FAR Part 13 13.106-1(b)(1) and is exempt for the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541380 and the applicable business size standard is $14.0 million. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. Note: The delivery of the item shall be within 60 days after award. The CCR, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology Unit currently owns a DeltaVision system deconvolution fluorescence microscopy to study the subcellular localization of cell division proteins and morphogenetic proteins in cells of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The Cell Biology Unit, also studies how proteins achieve their proper subcellular localization during cell division and morphogenesis in an effort to understand how these fundamental processes may go awry during diseases such as cancer. Thus, a central component to this research program is to study the localization of proteins of interest that have been tagged with fluorescent proteins or dyes within live cells using deconvolution fluorescence microscopy. This procurement is for an upgraded light source for an existing microscope setup in the Cell Biology Unit (LMB/CCR) that is used as a central component of the research program at the NCI. The light source that is currently attached to the unit does not have a full complement of wavelengths required for expanding the research program. This light source upgrade will provide additional wavelengths and allows for additional experiments to be performed, in support of the ongoing subcellular protein localization project in the section, that were not previously feasible to perform. The Insight SSI-7 solid state light engine is designed specifically to work with the proprietary deconvolution software that drives NCI's current microscope setup, which combines a proprietary deconvolution algorithm and a proprietary precise microscope stage technology to produce deconvolved images. The InsightSSITM unit is a solid state light engine utilizing a variety of light source technologies to optimize the output for each color. The SSI light engine is also specifically designed to work with the DV Softworx software, utilized by the Cell Biology Unit. The unit also produces stable monochromatic light with little heat and at low lifetime cost relative to other light sources. The GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp equipment supports a wide variety of research and clinical applications. The manufacturer is the only vendor qualified to provide software upgrades to the proprietary software. Thus, a sole source award to GE Healthcare is intended for this order, as it critical that the microscope setups receive these performance upgrades. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party especially a small business, believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which will be considered by the agency. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. All questions, quote, and/or the capability statement must be received electronically (via email) to Ms. Gwennifer Epps, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) by June 4, 2015 no later than 11:00 AM EST. No telephone calls or facsimiles will be accepted. 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. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), through sam.gov. Please reference solicitation number N02RC52586-83 on all correspondence.