1.0 DESCRIPTION The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Genetics Branch (GB) plans to procure, on a sole source basis, an Olympus BX63 Brightfield and Fluorescence microscope compatible with Applied Spectral Imaging’s HISKY software for Spectral Karyotyping (SKY). Applied Spectral Imaging 5315 Avenida Encinas, Suite 150 Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA. The response close date of the notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1); and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 423450 and the small business size standard is 200 employees. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. 2.0 BACKGROUND The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Genetics Branch (GB) performs Spectral Karyotyping (SKY), a novel technique that allows simultaneous visualization of chromosomes in one image. SKY is used in a variety of diseases to diagnose disorders since it paints every single chromosome a different color. SKY can be used to assess translocations, deletions, insertions, gains and loss of chromosomes and other abnormalities. Unlike many other available methods, being able to observe chromosomal abnormalities under the microscope makes the interpretation much more reliable. The laboratory performs SKY to visualize chromosomal abnormalities in both human malignancies and murine models. The laboratory’s current equipment for SKY is a 26-year-old manually controlled fluorescence microscope with an optical head. The microscope is now outdated, broken and unable to be repaired. 3.0 TYPE OF ORDER This is a Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order. 4.0 SPECIAL ORDER REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall provide one (1) Olympus BX63 Brightfield and Fluorescence microscope consisting of the following components: • Olympus manual BX63 Custom FISH Filter • Olympus DIC Hardware Accessories • C-mount 1X Olympus BX Series • Chroma Custom IR Blocking Filter • Pathology HiPath Platform • X-Cite-LLG-2m Liquid Light Guide of 1.5 • X-Cite 120Q - Metal Halide discharge lamp 4.1 PRODUCT FEATURES/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS The salient characteristics that apply to this acquisition are as follows: • Motorized Epifluorescence microscope with manual stage, motorized nosepiece with at least 7 positions, motorized position turret with at least 8 positions for image capture • Color touch screen interface on front of microscope stand for complete visual microscope control • Spectral head for imaging slides hybridized with SKY probes • Eight custom filters from Chroma that must include one for SKY • Compatibility with currently used HISKY software from Applied Spectral Imaging (ASI) and objectives from existing Olympus microscope in the lab 4.2 DELIVERY / INSTALLATION The Contractor shall deliver the equipment within 30 business days of the purchase order award. The Contractor shall coordinate delivery and tracking information with the NCI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), TBD at award. All shipping/handling (including FOB) and delivery/installation fees shall be included. Upon delivery, the Contractor shall notify the TPOC to schedule installation. The installation date and time shall occur within 10 business days after delivery. Installation shall be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified operator. The Contractor shall deliver and install the equipment at the following address: NIH/NCI 50 South Drive Building 50, Rm. 1408 Bethesda, MD 20892 4.3 TRAINING The Contractor shall provide complete training for instrument operation to four NCI staff members at the above location within three business days of installation of the instrument. 4.4 WARRANTY The Contractor shall warrant that any instruments, equipment, components, or other supplies (“Supplies”) procured by this purchase are free of defects in design, material, or manufacture for a period of at least one (1) calendar year from date of installation. The Contractor shall warrant that all consumables or expendable parts are free of defects in design, material or manufacture for a period of at least 90 calendar days from date of installation. Supplies which are repaired or replaced shall be warranted for the remainder of the initial warranty period or for 90-days – whichever is greater. 4.5 PROCEDURES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Contractor must pay close attention to the following delivery instructions. Please be aware that due to the fluidity of the existing pandemic, instructions may be updated as needed after award. - The equipment shall be delivered within the timeframe listed in section 4.2 above. - The Contractor shall: • Store or hold equipment until NCI is ready to accept the equipment at no additional cost; • The equipment shall not be sold to another business in the event NCI is not ready to accept delivery due to unanticipated changes related to COVID-19; and • Training as required by the Statement of Need shall be made available and provided to required staff at different times and dates, if required, at no additional cost. - Communicate and follow instructions from the TPOC to coordinate delivery, installation, and training in accordance with the timeframes stated in sections 4.2 through 4.3 above. The delivery address and TPOC’s information will be provided at the time of award and must be included as part of the order/shipping label. - All companies delivering to NIH’s main campus shall comply with Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility (CVIF) access procedures. CVIF will provide a list of buildings with loading docks. - Delivered items will be logged in and the loading dock Contractor or Government employee will attempt to contact the TPOC for inspection and acceptance of the package. In the event the TPOC is unable to accept the package, the equipment shall not be left at the loading dock station. The Contractor shall confirm another attempt will be made to deliver on another date, to be coordinated with the TPOC, at no additional cost. - Deliveries shall only be made between 6AM to 4PM, Monday through Friday. Note: Delivery personnel may be asked a series of questions related to recent travels and if any physical symptoms relevant to COVID 19 exist. 5.0 UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS The laboratory currently uses Applied Spectral Imaging’s (ASI) HISKY software and optical head to image SKY. Market research indicates that ASI is the only company that offers HISKY software to image SKY. To continue performing SKY, the NCI requires a new microscope compatible with this ASI HISKY software and the lab’s existing Olympus microscopes. The only instrument that meets these requirements is the Olympus BX63 Brightfield and Fluorescence microscope. ASI is the only vendor that can provide the microscope specifically configured and aligned to work with the ASI provided HISKY software and optical head. 6.0 SUBMISSION INFORMATION This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party, especially small businesses, believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation for the Government to consider. The statement of capabilities and/or any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. All responses must be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Elizabeth Tucker, at
[email protected] by no later than 3:00 PM EST on August 17, 2021. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement 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. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) through sam.gov. Reference: 75N91021Q00213 on all correspondence.