Sources Sought- Pathology and Laboratory Microscope

Scope:

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is requesting the purchase of one  new microscope with attachable camera.  All equipment will be solicited and awarded together. The new microscope is necessary for daily patient slide reviews by a staff cytotechnologist.  The microscope components and systems will meet all specifications as described in this document.

The supply acquisition does not involve connection of contractor-owned IT devices to the VA internal network; therefore, the C&A requirements do not apply, and a security accreditation package is not required.  The instruments to be purchased does not have the ability to store any data, nor interface to the VA network, nor accept patient demographic information in any way.

General Requirements:

1. Specifications set forth in this proposal are minimum specifications and should not be construed as limiting the overall quality, quantity, or performance of the instrument. 
2. The offerer shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements and shall be held responsible for the performance and overall quality of the requested instrument during the instrument’s warranty period.
3. The instruments, based upon the specifications requested, shall be the newest and the most current model.  A refurbished microscope is not acceptable. 
4. One Cytotechnologist microscope with camera that is compatible with Cell Sens software.

Instrument requirements for Microscopes :

1. Standard Microscope
   1. Frame with at least 5-postion Nosepiece
   2. LED Illumination
   3. US style 3-prong power cord
   4. Right hand mechanical stage for BX45
   5. Have the following Objective Lenses: 2x, 4x, 10x, 20 x, 40x, 50x, and 60x.
   6. DP 28 1” 8.9 MP color CMOS
   7. DB9 serial cable 6 ft long
   8. Control box for coded components and bifurcated cable to connect coded nosepieces
   9. SIIG RS232 Dual Port PCIe card
   10. USB 3.1 Gen 1 Cable, standard USB A Male to Type C with dual screw locking, 5 meter/15 feet
   11. Cell Sens standard electronic license
   12.  Adjustable nose piece with dual ocular lenses
   13. Thick, left release single slide holder
   14. Rubber caps on control knobs, thin set of 2
   15. Screw for fine focus
   16. Fine focus knob
   17. Tilting binocular Obs tube, 5-35 degrees movement,reverse
   18. Eyepiece, 10x w/ Φ=24mm t=1.5mm Retical Shelf
   19. Polarizer for transmitted light, 45mm diameter that fits in light well
   20. polarizer for filter slot
   21. Dust cover that is anti-static

Installation, including Verification/Validation, Training:

1. The vendor/distributor and/or the manufacturer must provide all necessary procedure manuals, troubleshooting manuals and operator manuals. 
2. Installation of microscopes shall be included in the quote.  Installation shall be performed by the Contractor or by a sub-Contractor who is certified on the Contractor’s equipment. 

DELIVERY:

1. All equipment deliveries must be coordinated with the department prior to delivery. Failure to do so may result in the return of the equipment at vendor cost.
2. Location
   1. Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System

University Drive C

Pittsburgh, PA 15240

Repair and Maintenance:

1. Manufacturer will provide troubleshooting manual. 
2. The VAPHS Department shall manage the service and repair contract on the equipment.
3. The manufacturer should define maintenance requirements and indicate what maintenance is performed by the user.

ALL INTERESTED PARTIES MUST ALSO HAVE AN ACTIVE REGISTRATION IN THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) DATABASE. TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT WWW.SAM.GOV.  

Responses to this notice shall include:  

Company Name  

Address  

Point of Contact  

Phone Number  

Email Address  

DUNS Number  

CAGE Code  

Tax ID Number  

Product Country of Origin

** Note: In accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Kingdomware, service disabled veteran owned (SDVOSB) and veteran owned (VOSB), who are interested in this procurement and consider themselves to have the resources and capabilities necessary to provide these services shall be verified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) at the following link to be considered: https://search.certifications.sba.gov/.

Process in 38 U.S.C. 8127(d) whereby a contracting officer of the “Department ” shall award contracts on the basis of competition restricted to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans will submit offers, and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers the best value to the United States.” For purposes of this VA specific rule, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) or a veteran-owned small business (VOSB), must meet the eligibility requirements in 38 U.S.C. 8127(e), (f) and VAAR subpart 819.7003 and be listed as verified in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database.  

Please provide answers to all questions below regarding your firm’s Socio-Economic status pursuant to North American Industrial Classification Code (NAICS) 339113:  

1. Is your business a small business under NAICS 339113? YES ______ NO ______  

2. Is your firm a Veteran-Owned Small Business? YES ______ NO ______  

3. Is your firm a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business? YES ______ NO ______  

4. Is you firm a certified HUB Zone firm? YES ______ NO ______  

5. Is your firm a Woman Owned business? YES ______ NO ______  

6. Is your firm a Large Business? YES ______ NO ______  

7. Do you have a GSA/FSS schedule for these items?  YES______   NO______ 

Schedule Number: ___________________  

Expiration Date: _____________________  

Please provide a capability statement as well as any relevant literature addressing your organization’s ability to supply the required items. Also, please include a point of contact name, phone number and email address.  

Note: Questions regarding this notice should be addressed to Matthew Clark via email only. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED REGARDING THIS REQUIREMENT.

Please submit all responses to this notice via e-mail to:  

Matthew Clark, Contract Specialist, Matthew.Clark11@va.gov

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice are required by no later than Friday, 23 October, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET. If you are interested in submitting a response to this posting, please ensure to submit a Brochure/Specification Sheet for the product offered as well as a letter of authorization to distribute the product. 

End of Document