SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- Zeiss Motorized Axio Imager Z1 Fluorescence Microscope with AxioVision Digital Image Processing System
- Notice Date
- 8/15/2007
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Blvd. EPS Suite 600, Rockville, MD, 20852, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-NCI-70108-NV
- Response Due
- 8/23/2007
- Archive Date
- 9/7/2007
- Description
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Laboratory of Pathology (LP), Clinical Cytogenetics Section (CCS) plans to enter into a sole source procurement for Zeiss Motorized Axio Imager Z1 Fluorescence Microscope with AxioVision Digital Image Processing System from Carl Zeiss Micro Imaging, Inc., One Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, NY 10594. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 ? Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.5 to use simplified procedures for commercial acquisitions. Carl Zeiss Micro Imaging Inc. is the only source known to the NCI researcher that has a fluorescence microscope and image processing system which will meet their research needs as detailed. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the requirement as detailed they may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI researcher to determine if the party can perform this requirement. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 pm EDT, on August 23, 2007. Faxed and emailed capability statements are NOT authorized. All questions must be in writing and must be emailed to Debbie Moore at dm170b@nih.gov or faxed (301) 402-4513. It is the vendor's responsibility to call (301) 402-4509 and verify that questions were received. 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 from the NCI contractors must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA). Please refer to http://orca.bpn.gov In addition; contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Part I: Background information and Description of Acquisition Title: Zeiss Motorized Axio Imager Z1 Fluorescence Microscope with AxioVision Digital Image Processing System Purpose/Brief History: The CCS has three missions: to provide state-of-the-art clinical cytogenetics diagnostic services to patients seen at the NIH Clinical Center; to perform high quality clinical and translational research in cancer cytogenetics; and to train students, residents, and fellows in the subspecialty field of cytogenetics. Services include a variety of tests for detection of constitutional (i.e., congenital) and acquired chromosomal abnormalities. The results of cytogenetics testing are often critical for correct diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of patients. The results also help elucidate the DNA lesions involved in both the initiation and progression of cancer. Thus, cytogenetics is an area that is important to the patient care as well as the clinical and research missions of the NCI and other Institutes. The Zeiss Motorized Axio Imager Z1 Fluorescence Microscope with AxioVision Digital Image Processing System will be used to perform interphase and metaphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analyses for patient care and clinical molecular cytogenetics research. Over the past decade FISH technology, reagents, and applications to clinical cytogenetics have expanded tremendously. In many cases FISH is now standard of care for diagnosis and monitoring constitutional and malignant disease. FISH is often the best method for application to collaborative clinical research projects, and the CCS has received numerous requests for this testing from investigators within and outside the NCI. Our use of this technology has more than tripled over the past five years (from ~150 hybridizations in 2002 to nearly 500 hybridizations in 2006). PART II: Facts and reasons to Justify Other than Full and Open Competition Statutory authority FAR 13.106(b)(1) b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization). Justification: The CCS requires a fluorescence microscope and image processing system to meet the increased demand for interphase and metaphase FISH for patient diagnostic services and clinical research. This system must provide high resolution; expanded fluorescence capability; speed and ease of use; and quality image capture, processing, and storage capabilities. The Zeiss Motorized Axio Imager Z1 Microscope and AxioVision Imaging System best meet all of CCS's specifications in one integrated system. The Zeiss Motorized Axio Imager Z1 microscope has a number of unique features not available from other companies. These include a motorized high precision Z-focus drive, with 10 nm increments, that allows for rapid focus and highly reproducible Z-stacked images; a motorized 10-position fluorescence reflector turret; EC fluorescent cubes with light traps that optimize the signal to noise ratio; an Apochromatic fluorescence light train that allows for all light wavelengths to be focused together; and a TFT display with touch screen that allows the user to easily program and configure the motorized microscope, and quickly change between contrasting techniques, without using the external PC as a "stand alone" system. Together these features allow for rapid, user-friendly visualization of high resolution, bright fluorescent signals, in as many as 10 colors, with attenuated background "noise." Other features perhaps not unique to Zeiss, but perfected by this company over the past decade, include stable cell integrated design of the objective nosepiece with stage and Z-focus separate from the remainder of the stand that allows for superior 2-axis stability relative to ambient temperature fluctuations and vibrations; and PLAN APO 63X/1.4 and 100X/1.4 oil objectives that are ideally suited for our work. The CCS intends to purchase an additional triple band filter set for efficient analysis of DAPI/FITC/TRITC FISH with this system. The imaging equipment includes a high quality B & W digital camera, PC computer, Samsung 19" LCD monitor, and AxioVision software. This system provides efficient microscope control, flexible camera operation, rapid image processing, integration of text and graphic elements, precise image measurement, ZVI images, and efficient image archiving. All of these features are mandatory for the performance of patient diagnostic testing, results documentation, and record keeping as required by the College of American Pathologists and CLIA '88 standards. This microscope and image processing system is compatible with the CCS's existing government owned Zeiss and PC-based equipment, and will permit the CCS to network this new system to other computers and printers in the laboratory, thus allowing for easy image transfer and/or printing. The CCS must be able to interchange parts, such a the PLAN APO objectives, immediately if necessary.
- Record
- SN01373217-W 20070817/070815220502 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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