USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710

66 -- LASER SCANNING CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE SYSTEM DUE 061697 POC Ken Eason, 510/559-6018, FAX 510/559-6023, Contract Specialist The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California, has a requirement for a laser scanning confocal microscope system, to examine different types of live pathogenic bacteria interacting with multiple types of food surfaces. The exact location of the pathogens that bind to various sites on a surface cannot be determined accurately with conventional fluorescent microscopy. Laser scanning confocal microscopy will allow the observation of bacteria and food cells or tissue that are minimally processed, including the 3D nature of the interactions. The bacteria range in size between ~0.8 and 2 micron. The diverse types of microbes, cells and tissues to be studied necessitates acquiring a confocal system that is flexible, and produces optimal resolutions, to include XY resolution of better than 0.18 micron and Z resolution of better than 0.35 micron. It is critical that the optics of the scanner and the microscope be designed to match one another. A compromise of different systems would result in an unacceptable amount of spherical and chromatic aberrations that would decrease the resolutions sought. A solicitation is not available for this notice. The Government intends to negotiate with the only known responsible source, which is Leica, Inc., of Deerfield, Illinois. Interested firms that feel they can meet the above requirements are encouraged to submit descriptive or technical literature sufficient to determine that their instrument will conform to the Government's request. This information must be received by close of business on June 16, 1997, at the address shown in this notice. See Numbered Note 22.***** (0119)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0310 19970502\66-0003.SOL)