Nikon AX R Spatial Array Confocal Microscope System

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director (OD) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, including 8(a) small businesses, small, disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or HUBZone small businesses capable of providing  a new Brand name or equal to Nikon AX R with Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) Microscope Detector Technology System. Description: Planned experiments involve ex vivo imaging of dissected mouse cochleae to study dendritic function and signaling in olivocochlear efferent neurons. Experiments will include calcium imaging, neurotransmitter imaging, genetically encoded voltage indicator imaging, and simultaneous patch-clamp electrophysiology. The neuronal dendrites under study are approximately 1 µm in diameter, produce dim fluorescent signals, and require high-speed imaging with high signal-to-noise ratio.  The microscope system must provide enhanced fluorescence detection sensitivity to enable reliable detection of weak fluorescent signals while minimizing photobleaching and phototoxicity. The system must be configured as an upright microscope to accommodate ex vivo cochlear preparations, high-numerical-aperture water-dipping objectives, live pharmacological manipulations during experiments, and integration with patch-clamp electrophysiology equipment.  Product Specifications/Features/Salient Characteristics Required Minimum Specifications: Required Specifications for Confocal Imaging System: Microscope configuration    -Upright microscope configuration (FN1 compatible)  Detector technolog y   -25-element SPPC (Single Pixel Photon Counter) array detector  Detector sensitivity - Single-photon sensitivity  Detector noise  - Ultra-low-noise detector array  Signal-to-noise ratio  - Improved SNR compared with conventional PMT and GaAsP detectors  Imaging application  - Live imaging of ex vivo cochlear preparations  Objectives  -Compatible with high-numerical-aperture (1.0 N.A.) water-dipping objectives  Patch-clamp integration  -Compatible with simultaneous electrophysiology experiments  Drug application  -Supports live pharmacological manipulation during imaging  Time-lapse imaging  -Required for monitoring dynamic neuronal activity  Calcium imaging  -Required  Neurotransmitter imaging  -Required  Voltage imaging  -Required  Low-light imaging -  Required for dim genetically encoded indicators  Photobleaching reduction  - Improved signal collection allowing lower excitation power  Phototoxicity reduction  -Required for extended live imaging experiments  Lateral resolution  -Approximately 100 nm super-resolution capability  Axial resolution  - Approximately 300 nm super-resolution capability  Resonant imaging  -Compatible with AX R resonant scanner  Pixel dwell time  -As short as 200 nanoseconds  Maximum resonant image size  - Up to 2048 × 2048 pixels  High-speed acquisition  - Up to 720 fps at 2048 × 16 pixels  Large field of view  -FN25 optical system  Software compatibility  -Nikon NIS-Elements software compatibility required  Existing workflow compatibility  -Compatible with existing Nikon imaging workflows and user expertise  User training burden  - No significant additional training compared to existing Nikon systems  Collaborative research support  - Capable of supporting NIH and extramural collaborations  Interested firms with the capability of providing all the required items shall submit a capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation 19.104-1. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industrial Classification (NAICS) code 334516 with a size standard of 1000e.  All respondents are required to identify their firm’s size and type of business.  Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide (a) capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Government’s requirements for the above. The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough details so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the items above.    Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, delivery timeframe, warranties and other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number, and email address of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with