Mirava STED and Confocal Microscope

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) / COMBINED SYNOPSIS-SOLICITATION Solicitation Number: 75N98026Q01025 Notice Type: Combined Synopsis Title: Purchase of Abberior Instruments America Mirava STED and Confocal Microscope or Equal Posted Date: August 18, 2026 Response Date: August 25, 2026, 6:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time Set-Aside: None NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing PSC Code: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies 1. GENERAL INFORMATION This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice, and in conjunction with FAR Subpart 12.6. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. See Attachment for Abberior Product List This acquisition is being conducted as an open market purchase. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order resulting from this solicitation. 2. Description of Requirement 2.1 Background The current A1R system is no longer serviceable and fails to support essential experiments in our lab, including FRET imaging and multi-round immunostaining, due to its inability to maintain focus and resolution across repeated imaging sessions. The Abberior MIRAVA Microscope offers a substantial leap in performance over the A1R. Integrating confocal and STED imaging within a single platform would provide imaging across spatial scales, from large-field overview scans to the nanoscale. FLEXPOSURE adaptive illumination, MATRIX detector, and RAYSHAPE aberration correction reduce photodamage and improve image quality for sensitive and longitudinal imaging workflows. Since the A1R microscope is no longer operating at minimally acceptable standards for data collection, the replacement of this microscope is essential for continuing high-quality data acquisition in our ongoing projects. This system will serve as a fully shared resource benefiting not only the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, but multiple active research groups across the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Researchers from the Systems Neuroscience Imaging Resource (SNIR), Oligodendroglial Interactions Group and the Human Genetics Branch, have all expressed interest after a hands-on evaluation during a recent on-site demo. Since the Abberior MIRAVA Microscope provides transformative improvements in image quality while also reducing phototoxicity, it will serve as an ideal shared resource thanks to its user-friendly software. It is also the first super-resolution STED microscope within NIMH, and it will improve the quality of data generated while also increasing the overall efficiency of NIMH’s microscopy efforts. 2.2 Objective To obtain a STED and Confocal Core Microscope to replace our outdated and non-repairable Nikon A1R system in the lab. 3. Product Specifications/Features/Salient Characteristics Required Minimum Specifications See Attachment. 3.1 Services Requirements The vendor shall provide: 1. Delivery to NIH Main campus in Bethesda, MD. 2. Installation and on-site 2 day minimum training/operational startup 3. Three-comprehensive Warranty after installation 4. Manufacturer warranty coverage; and 5. Manufacturer-supported service associated with the delivered system. 4. Delivery, installation, startup shall be performed at: National Institutes of Health Bldg. 35, Room 3A209 Bethesda, MD 20892 5. Basic For Award The Government intends to award to the quoter whose quotation represents the best value to the Government, considering the following evaluation factors: 1. Technical Acceptability 2. Past Performance 3. Price 5.1 Technical Acceptability Technical acceptability is the most important factor. The Government will evaluate whether the quoted product meets all salient characteristics and minimum requirements of this solicitation. For any “equal” product, the vendor must provide sufficient technical documentation to demonstrate equivalency, including product literature, specifications, brochures, and point-by-point crosswalk to each salient characteristic. Failure to clearly demonstrate compliance with all minimum requirements may render the quotation unacceptable. 5.2 Past Performance The Government will evaluate the vendor’s record of recent and relevant past performance The Government may consider information obtained from the vendor, CPARS, prior Government experience, and other available sources. 5.3 Price Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. The Government may make an award to other than the lowest-priced quotation if a higher-rated quotation is determined to provide the best value. 6. Quotation Instructions Vendors shall submit a complete quotation package that includes the following: 6.1 Volume I – Technical Quote The technical quote shall include: Manufacturer name and model number. Description of the quoted system. Point-by-point response to each salient characteristic. Description of included software, accessories, automation, warranty, applicable training and service. Delivery lead time; Installation and training approach. 6.2 Volume II – Past Performance Provide up to three examples of recent and relevant contracts or purchase orders for customer name, dollar value, period of performance, point of contact with email and phone number. 6.3 Volume III – Price Quote The price quote shall include: unit price, extended price, total quoted price, any shipping charges, warranty information, any other separately priced items. The total quoted price shall include all costs necessary to provide a complete and fully functional system meeting the requirements of this solicitation. 6.4 SAM Registration In order to receive an award, offerors/contractors must maintain an active SAM registration for all awards throughout the entire contract/order lifecycle, from offer submission to final payment. Failure to maintain an active SAM registration can the award or result in non-payment. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offerors/contractor ineligible for award. 6.5 Small Business Subcontracting Plan In accordance with FAR 52.219-9, other-than-small-business (large business) offerors must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan with their quote. This requirement does not apply to small business concerns. If the offeror represents itself as a small business under the designated NAICS code for this procurement, no subcontracting plan is required." Other-than-small-business offerors who determine that zero subcontracting opportunities exist for this microscope procurement are still required to submit a formal Small Business Subcontracting Plan. The plan must state 0% goals and include a detailed, written justification outlining why subcontracting is not feasible (e.g., fully integrated in-house manufacturing). Failure to submit a plan with the required justification will render the quote non-responsive." 7. Submission Instructions Quotations shall be submitted electronically to: Tina Robinson@ robinsti@mail.nih.gov Quotations are due no later than: August 25, 2026, prior to 6:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time Late submissions may be rejected and not considered for award. 8. Clauses and Provisions The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition, in addition to any others required by law or agency policy: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions—Representations and Certifications 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements 52.204-13 System for Award Management — Maintenance 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan 52.222-3 Convict Labor 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veteran 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services 52.225-5 Trade Agreements 52.225-6 Trade Agreements Certificate 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors 52.233-3 Protest After Award 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services 9. Brand Name of Equal Information This requirement is issued on a brand name or equal basis. The referenced brand name product is the Abberior Instruments America products provided on the attachment. Any quotation offering an “equal” product must include sufficient descriptive material to permit the Government to determine whether the product offered meets all salient characteristics identified in the solicitation. The burden is on the vendor to establish equivalency. The Government is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the quotation. If the vendor is providing an equal product(s), please supply descriptive data for evaluation purposed to determine the validity of how it is equal. The following FAR provision applies to this solicitation FAR 52.211.6 Brand Name or Equal. a) if an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation/attachment. (b) To be considered for award, offers of “equal” product, including “equal” products of the brand name manufacturer, must - (1) Meet the salient physical, functional or performance characteristics specified in this solicitation. (2) Clearly identify the item by - (i) Brand name, if any: and (ii) Make or model number (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer/Specialist; and (4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications. (c) The Contracting Officer/Specialist is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offer clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offer shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation/attachment. (End of Provision_ 10. Important Notice This solicitation is issued as a competitive RFQ. The Government reserves the right to: make award without discussions. request clarification if needed reject any or all quotations; and Quoters are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting yoru quote, you will be consenting to disclosure of your quote to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.

• NAICS334516
• PSC6640

• Mirava Product List.pdf

  .pdf158 KBNot yet available
• Salient Characteristics STED and Confocal Microscope .pdf

  .pdf165 KBNot yet available

• ROBINSON, TINA
  robinsti@mail.nih.gov