SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- Atomic Force Microscope including view Module, AFM Multilux Module, Scanner and approach module, Air and temperature control module
- Notice Date
- 5/31/2013
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E128, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- N02RC32511-85
- Archive Date
- 7/2/2013
- Point of Contact
- Terry Galloway, Phone: 240-276-5384, Seena Ninan, Phone: 240-276-5419
- E-Mail Address
-
gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov, ninans@mail.nih.gov
(gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov, ninans@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cancer Center Research (CCR), Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression (LRBGE) plans to procure on a sole source basis the brand name Cypher Atomic Force Microscope with AFM Standard View Module, AFM Multilux Standard Source & Standard Source SLD Source Module, Scanner and Approach module, Air and temperature control module from Asylum Research, an Oxford Instruments Company, 6310 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93117 USA. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) and 13.501-(a)(1) using simplified acquisition procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System code is 334516 and the business size standard is 500 employees. Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. Delivery Date: 60 days from date of award. The Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression (LRBGE) requires atomic force microscope for high precision, angstrom resolution measurements of cellular chromatin. In experiments LRBGE is trying to elucidate the relationships between changes in molecular structure of the chromatin and the development of cancer. A big part of the study consists of analysis of basic chromatin components, i.e. nucleosomes, for their composition and dimensions. By measuring their exact height, diameter, and volume NCI can elucidate their approximate structure (tetrameric or octameric) and protein content. In addition, the NCI is in the process of developing technology that would allow for molecular recognition of nucleosome components and other chromatin interacting proteins based on quantum dot conjugation. The following salient characteristics are the requirements of the Atomic Force Microscope of the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression to accomplish the current mission: • Ability to achieve true atomic resolution in air and liquid. • Tip-sample mechanical loop must not include the optical lever to better stability. • The components of the system, including the scanner, the optical light source, and the camera must be modular and upgradable. • The AFM must be equipped with closed-loop control capable of atomic resolution in X, Y, and Z dimension, with less than 3nm of out of plane motion. • Must have high resistance to AC and DC height noise (<15pm). • The instrument's laser spot positioning and photodetector centering must be motorized and controlled via software. • The scanner must provide XY range of 30um in closed-loop mode, as well as motorized coarse-positioning of the sample over several millimeters. • The Z range must be at least 5um in closed-loop mode. • The instrument must be capable of fast, closed-loop XY scanning, with a speed of at least 5mm/s. • The microscope must offer full support for the use of small cantilevers (down to 10um long), including the appropriate drive frequencies and small laser spot. • The instrument must include top-view diffraction limited optics with software controlled LED based illumination. • The control and analysis software must be user-programmable, with a completely customizable graphical user interface. Furthermore, the software must be capable of simultaneous data analysis and monitoring of real-time imaging process. • Free software upgrades must be available for the life of the instrument. • The instrument must be equipped with a thermally-controlled (down to 0.1 deg C) and acoustically-isolating (at least 20dB) enclosure, and have integrated passive vibration isolation. • The equipment must include at least 2 year warranty on all parts and labor. The Asylum Research Cypher Atomic Force Microscope with AFM Standard View Module, AFM Multilux Standard Source & Standard Source SLD Source Module, Scanner and Approach module, Air and temperature control module can provide high resolutions and precision needed due to its calibrated, closed-loop X,Y, and Z scanner with incorporated internal Z-dimension control correcting for piezoelectric drift. Also, the combination of low instrument noise, high quality acoustic isolation, high precision enclosure temperature control, and a short mechanical loop which doesn't include the optical lever allow it to be stable and accurate under a variety of laboratory conditions without the need for specifically isolated location or additional surface stabilization. Furthermore, the ability of Cypher to work with ultra-small cantilevers and laser spots allows for much needed high speed imaging, which greatly enhances the number of samples and quality of data that can be acquired in quick succession in air due to inevitable sample degradation, as well as near real-time imaging of biological processes in liquid under physiological conditions. Finally, automated laser spot/detector alignment and motorized auto-approach eliminate user error during instrument setup, provide greater consistency of measurement from sample to sample, and allow for improved productivity when processing large number of samples. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. The capability statement must be received at the NCI Office of Acquisitions on or before 11:00 AM EST on June 17, 2013. All responses and questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Terry Galloway, Contract Specialist at gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov. 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, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) through sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number N02RC32511-85 on all correspondences.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
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- Record
- SN03076559-W 20130602/130531235858-3a308becc0010111de62a54050ff7d67 (fbodaily.com)
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