This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition; and (4) availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e., address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e., address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire an Echo Revolve R4 microscope for dual use as an upright and inverted fluorescence microscope for imaging mouse brain slices. The Echo Revolve R4 Microscope is manufactured by Discover Echo, Inc., 9530 Padgett Street, Suite 101, San Diego CA 92126. This equipment will be critical for the central mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Integrative Neuroscience Section (INS) to study the neural basis of normal and disordered learning and memory processes. This item will expand NINDS INS laboratory capacity to perform fluorescence imaging of mouse brain slice tissue across a broad range of wavelengths and in two optical configurations: upright and inverted. The NINDS INS laboratory has needs for the optical imaging uniquely afforded by both of these configurations. The Echo Revolve system allows for the easy conversion between these configurations without the need for two separate microscopes. This item is only available through Discover Echo, Inc. and is the sole designer and manufacturer of the Revolve microscope and its dedicated software user interface. The NINDS INS laboratory require this particular microscope, with its exclusive combination of features and configurations, to allow for our dual needs of an integrated upright and inverted fluorescence microscope in a single, small-footprint, user-friendly platform. Background: Research in the INS probes the neural circuit basis of normal working memory and characterizes the neural circuit and working memory dysfunction in mouse models of genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia and related disorders. INS members use optical sensors and actuators to record and manipulate the function of discrete cells and circuits in freely moving mice. INS focuses on understanding the neural computations within, and circuit-level interactions between, the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the mouse. All such experiments require post-experiment verification and quantification of the expression of these optical sensors and actuators, each tagged with a fluorescent molecule, in mouse brain slices. The ability to efficiently conduct mouse brain slice fluorescence imaging of genetically expressed indicators and manipulators of neural activity with upright and inverted scope technology is required for the research conducted in the INS. Project requirements: Summarize the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, including its scope, focus, technical/performance requirements or specifications, and any deliverables, reports, and/or data that may be required under any resultant contract. Highlight any areas of particular importance. Minimum Performance Functional Characteristics: Easily convert from upright to inverted configurations. Utilizes a single integrated system that requires only one power cord and/or cable for use. Intelligent 6-piece objective nosepiece turret allowing for a maximum of 6 objectives to be on the system at one time. The software will detect which objective is being used. Automated Z-Drive driven by focus knob with separate coarse and fine focusing. Optical z-stack function with software for automated acquisition of multiple focal planes with extended depth of field (EDF) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) upgrade available. Comprehensive catalog of Olympus objectives. Integrated Anti-Vibration image capture mode so that the camera will not capture until the accelerometer is still and ready to acquire. Fluorescence module with a patented automated motorized fluorescence turret that incorporates wavelength specific LED’s and shift free sputter coated filter sets. Allows for up to five (5) imaging channels for (4) fluorescent channels and one (1) transmitted light channel. Software for saturation indicator for fluorescent samples. Dedicated 5 MP 12bit monochrome CMOS camera for low light level fluorescence imaging. Monochrome camera with user control of the Look Up Table (LUT) for optimal image fidelity. Recallable light source control of the LED power, exposure time and gain settings under the “Reuse” feature in the software. ‘Sample Protect Imaging Mode’ that allows for the user to control when the LED is exposing the sample to light. Customizable image overlay tool that allows the user to only select the wavelengths to be used. Ability to view and capture images with Brightfield, Darkfield, Phase Contrast and Polarized filtering. Ability to simultaneously load two glass slides onto the microscope for more efficient imaging of multiple samples. Ability to view and capture images with Brightfield, Darkfield, Phase Contrast and Polarized filtering. Optional high-resolution flip-out condenser is available for maximizing resolution in bright field imaging applications. Full Circular FOV (field of view) provides the same field of view as a conventional eyepiece. 12-megapixel color CMOS camera for Bright-field imaging. Software provides calibration for auto-white balance and shade corrections. Removable display. User Interface with control of the camera setting through touch screen. Software annotations with calibrated measurements (Length, Area, Counts, Scale Bar). Annotation tools for text box with arrows, lines, circles, free hand. Exportable Pixel Values and Counts in CSV format. Allowance for data transfer via USB, Ethernet, or Cloud sharing to Dropbox, iCloud, Airdrop, and others. Capability to create Panoramic image stitching. Capability for video capture with audio annotation. Availability for software updates for download online. Training videos are included. Optional digital haze reduction software package. Minimum microscope size specifications 13.4” x 23” x 18.6”. Availability of software license, warranty, and/or maintenance agreements Anticipated period of performance: Delivery thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of order. Other important considerations: Cite any other information that is necessary for potential respondents to understand the nature of the potential requirement or proposed acquisition. In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government’s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25. Capability statement /information sought. Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately. Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. Interested companies are required to identify their Unique Entity Identification Number, type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Acquisition Official(s). Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Debra C. Hawkins, at e-mail address
[email protected] . The response must be received on or before August 14, 2023, 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time. “ Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”