Confocal Microscope

Active

Contract Opportunity

Sources Sought (SS) Notice

Title: Confocal Microscope

ID: NIAID-SS-25-2265415

Post Date: 07/18/2025

Response Date: 08/04/2025

Classification Code: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

NAICS: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Introduction

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

Project Summary

The Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section (VPES) and The Clinical Studies Unit (CSU) within Laboratory of Infectious Diseases (LID) conducts research directed toward defining the causes and epidemiology of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viral disease and developing means for their control, including universal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. VPES and CSU engage in a wide range of research activities that extend from clinical virology to molecular characterization of highly virulent influenza and other respiratory viruses that cause severe, acute disease of the respiratory tracts in animal models, to the development of novel vaccines and antiviral drugs. We also study immune responses and disease following human influenza viral challenge at the NIH Clinical Center. Scientists in the VPES employ high-throughput genomic, proteomic and machine learning computational approaches to elucidate pathogenesis of influenza disease, understand the response to infection, contagiousness, and development of severe illness, as well as identify the molecular correlates of vaccine protection in animals and humans. These items are for continuation of projects 1ZIAAI000986-18 Influenza Viral Pathogenesis (initiated in 2007) and 1ZIAAI001372-02 Universal Influenza Vaccine Development (initiated in 2024), specifically tied to a newly funded H5N1 countermeasures research project.

This system will be used to image tissue samples from healthy and virus-infected host tissues to enhance our understanding of disease-related pathological changes. This acquisition will also be utilized for the H5N1 Countermeasures Research Project, as part of the VPES/CSU mission to identify novel molecular structures with antiviral properties that can be utilized to help mitigate the ongoing avian influenza pandemic in poultry and wild birds (and prevent future spread to humans).

Specifically, NIAID, is seeking one confocal, multispectral, microscopy platform instrument capable of the following:

The system must be a confocal point scanning system with beam splitters and have spectral detection, photon counting detectors, and confocal super resolution.

The minimal salient characteristics for the system are as follows:

• Spectral Detection: The system shall feature a highly sensitive, prism-based spectral detection design delivering 99% light efficiency across the spectrum to every detector. The spectral detection design shall enable waste-free fluorescence detection for fixed or living samples, and precise separation of up to five (5) spectrally overlapping markers simultaneously without mathematical restoration. The system shall also allow the application and simultaneous separation of at least five (5) spectrally overlapping markers, and computer-controlled adjustable bandwidth for all fluorescence detection channels. It shall allow for freely adjustable bandwidth of the spectrometer-detector, to allow the emission collection to easily adapt to new dyes and dye combinations. The system shall permit recording of unbiased spectral image series via filter-free design, and have individual gain settings for each detection channel to allow to for adaptation and to take full advantage of the dynamic range of different dyes. All detectors shall receive the same signal intensity and be mutually interchangeable.

• Detectors: The system shall include a minimum of three silicon based multi-pixel photon detectors with a photon detection efficiency of at least 56% (particularly in the blue-green range), support photon counting mode for enhanced sensitivity and quantitative live-cell imaging, and have an efficient cooling scheme to suppress dark noise. The detector shall provide power counting to enhance image contrast and dynamic range, allowing for recognition of two overlapping photons at higher signal intensities to improve quantification.

• Super Resolution: The system shall provide confocal super-resolution with a resolution of at least 120 nm in XY and 200 nm in Z, integrated into the standard workflow without requiring separate modules or specialized sample preparation.

• Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging: The system shall include a standard feature allowing for fluorescence lifetime imaging, enabling functional studies such as metabolic analysis.

• AI-Driven Imaging: The system shall support Autonomous Microscopy for AI-driven rare event detection and high-throughput imaging of complex samples.

• Software: The system shall feature spiral scan and overview stitching. The system shall also provide automatic dye separation without mathematical separation for up to five (5) spectrally overlapping markers for automated setup and acquisition of complex experiments.

• Maintenance and Training: The system package shall include service installation and a series of training classes, as well as access to a lighting expert and ongoing assistance for questions and troubleshooting.

• Continuity: The laboratory section currently uses Leica microscopy equipment. The system must be seamlessly compatible with the existing Leica components from the current instrumentation ensuring hardware adaptability and flexibility for ongoing and future assays. The system must, at a minimum, perform the same functions, have the same connections platforms and capabilities to ensure laboratory work can continue without interruption. Furthermore, the system shall be compatible with the Stellaris Dmi8 which operates through the same LAS X software and user interface.

Anticipated Period of Performance

It is anticipated that an award will be made on or about September 19, 2025. Estimated lead time for delivery of Equipment is 45-90 days upon Vendor’s receipt of the purchase order.

Capability Statement/Information Sought

If your organization has the potential capacity to meet the minimum requirements and performance capabilities listed above, please provide the following information:

1. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI number.


2. Company location(s) and number of years company has been in business.


3. Type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Other than Small, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code.


4. Type of ownership for the organization.


5. Identification of any Best-In-Class contract vehicles including Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) (e.g., GSA schedule) they may possess or are aware of that would support this possible requirement. If your organization does not provide the products/services under a GWAC, please identify availability as OPEN MARKET ONLY.


6. Tailored capability statement addressing the capability of the sequencing instrument to meet NIAID’s minimum requirements. Capability document shall be no more than six pages.


7. Place of manufacture for the Confocal Microscope.


8. Evidence that the organization is an authorized reseller or manufacturer of the instrument. Only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products are acceptable.

Submission Instructions

Interested businesses who consider themselves qualified to provide the above specification for the Confocal Microscope, are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by August 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be emailed to Shaun Rostad at shaun.rostad@nih.gov

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 on 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).

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