6640--EQUIPMENT - on-demand slide labeling system and cassette labeling printer

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 12. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 12, responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought/RFI only. The purpose of this sources sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (size standard of 1,000 Employees). Responses to this sources sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this sources sought, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VISN 02 Network Contracting Office, is seeking sources that can provide on-demand slide labeling systems and cassette labeling printer that meet the minimum salient characteristics described below for the Hudson Valley Healthcare System: To Be Delivered to: Hudson Valley Medical Center Castle Point Campus 41 Castle Point Road Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 The VA prefers domestic (manufactured in the United States) content where available. This sources sought is for a compact, on demand laboratory labeling solution capable of printing durable, legible information directly onto both microscope slides and tissue cassettes. The system must support rapid point of use printing, integrate with laboratory information systems, reduce manual labeling errors, and produce reliable barcode and text markings on standard slide and cassette media. The requirement includes two on demand slide labeling printer and one on demand cassette labeling units. Salient Characteristics: For Cassette Printer Print Method: Thermal Transfer (Ribbon) Direct thermal printing onto standard tissue embedding cassettes Prints, text, barcodes (1D and 2D), logos, and graphics directly on the cassette surface Input hopper capacity: Minimum 150 cassettes Output capacity: Minimum 150 cassettes (stacked/sorted at output) Compatible with standard and biopsy cassette formats (e.g. 40 mm × 28 mm footprint) No ink, ribbon, or labels required for cassette printing Minimum print speed of 600 cassettes per hour (unattended operation) Capable of continuous, unattended batch printing Minimum print resolution of 300 dpi Printed text and barcodes shall remain legible and scannable after standard histological processing including formalin fixation, alcohol dehydration, xylene clearing, and paraffin embedding Shall support industry-standard 1D barcodes: Code 39, Code 128, ITF, and others Shall support 2D barcodes: QR Code and Data Matrix Barcodes shall be scannable by standard laboratory barcode readers Dimensions (approximate): 500 mm (W) × 500 mm (D) × 400 mm (H) Weight: 25 kg Operating environment: 15°C 30°C; relative humidity 20% 80% (non-condensing) Power supply: 100 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz (universal) Compatible with both standard and biopsy/uni-cassette formats Shall be CE marked and/or FDA 510(k) cleared as applicable Shall comply with applicable IEC 61010-1 laboratory equipment safety standards For the Printer Input hopper capacity: Minimum 320 slides Output capacity: Minimum 320 slides at output Compatible with standard 75 mm × 25 mm (3" × 1") glass microscopy slides Minimum print speed capable of high-volume, unattended batch operation Capable of continuous, unattended batch printing Minimum print resolution of 300 dpi Printed text and barcodes shall remain legible and scannable after standard histological processing including formalin fixation, alcohol dehydration, xylene clearing, and paraffin embedding Shall support industry-standard 1D barcodes: Code 39, Code 128, ITF, and others Shall support 2D barcodes: QR Code and Data Matrix Barcodes shall be scannable by standard laboratory barcode readers Benchtop/countertop design suitable for laboratory environments Operating environment: 15°C 30°C; relative humidity 20% 80% (non-condensing) Dimensions appropriate for a high-capacity benchtop slide printer Power supply: 100 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz (universal) Compatible with frosted-end and specialty-coated slides as applicable Shall be CE marked and/or FDA 510(k) cleared as applicable Shall comply with applicable IEC 61010-1 labo