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.