This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is 75N94025Q00137 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 334516 and the business size standard is 1000e. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intends to contract on a sole source basis with IonOptix of Westwood, MA to procure a modified Inverted Olympus IX73 fluorescence microscope to be compatible with the labs IonOptix Cardiac Slice System.
InoOptix is the sole source provider of this modified IX73 microscope system. The unique product salient features of the modified microscope are:
Product Features/Salient Characteristics:
- Modular Design:
- Highly customizable with two-deck or single-deck configurations.
- Easy to upgrade or expand with additional components (e.g., fluorescence, DIC, etc.)
- Advanced Fluorescence Capabilities:
- Compatible with multiple fluorescence filter cubes.
- High optical performance for multi-channel fluorescence imaging.
- Motorized Options:
- Supports motorized components like shutters, filter wheels, and stages.
- Can be fully motorized (IX73P2) or manual (IX73P1).
- Ergonomic and User-Friendly:
- Front-facing control knobs and compact body.
- Ideal for both seated and standing operation.
- Compatibility with Imaging Systems:
- Integrates with Olympus cellSens software.
- It can be used with CCD/CMOS cameras and confocal systems.
- Superior Optics:
- UIS2 (Universal Infinity System) optics provide high resolution and contrast.
- Excellent for transmitted light and fluorescence applications.
- Live-Cell Imaging Ready:
- Allows use of environmental chambers for temperature, CO₂ control.
- Stable platform reduces vibration during time-lapse imaging.
- Stage Options:
- Manual or motorized XY stages.
- Supports well plates, flasks, and slides.
- It can measure cardiac slice system multiple functional parameters
DELIVERY / INSTALLATION
IonOptix will deliver and provide full installation and make sure it is compatible with the cardiac slice system
TRAINING
IonOptix personnel/technicians will travel and train lab members onsite.
The role of alcohol in heart is one of the NIAAA mission critical elements. We have shown alcohol intake led to accelerated cardiovascular aging. Cardiac Slices System is a new unique system to understand the mechanism of alcohol and other inter-organ heart failure models in mice, and we are obtaining IonOptix cardiac slice system, and it require specialized sectioning of live heart tissue in oxygenated buffer to make it live. This microscope from Olympus is modified by IonOptix to analyze samples in cardiac slice system.
The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of the 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302. This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice.
The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024) (Deviation Feb 2025) with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Jan 2025)(Deviation Feb 2025); FAR Clause 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Jan 2025)(Deviation Feb 2025) – Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. The offeror must include their Unique Entity ID (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. Note: The contractor/offeror must provide a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the government with all the products and services in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov. Responses to this solicitation must include enough information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing all products and/or service (s) needed. Responses must be accompanied by descriptive literature, delivery timeframe, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Offeror must include the delivery date/timeframe with offer. Quotations will be due on July 25, 2025, before 1:00 pm eastern daylight time via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov. Attn: Tina Robinson. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number 75N94025Q00137. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov and must include solicitation# 75N94025Q00137 in the subject line of email.
Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must have an active registration for all awards in the SAM database @www.sam.gov.
Note: “System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations, including 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals— Representation, and paragraph (t) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Agencies will not consider or use these representations. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.”
