THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION NOTICE. This is a combined  synopsis / solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the  format of FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in  this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals  are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The reference solicitation number is: NHLBI-PB(HL)-2007-235/CDM This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13, simplified  acquisition procedures and the resultant purchase order will include all  applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition  Circular 05-18. The total contracted dollar amount, including options will  not exceed $5 Million. The acquisition is being conducted as a full and open competitive. This is a  small business set aside requirement. The North American Industry  Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516, associated small business size  standard is 500 employees.  The Government?s anticipated delivery date is June 30, 2008. The delivery point is the National Institutes of Health, National Institute fo  Dental and Craniofacial Research, Laboratory of Sensory Biology, 9000  Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. A site visit is scheduled to be held on September 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. In  Building 10, Room 81A24, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The  site visit is limited to two (2) attendees per perspective offeror and is not  expected to exceed one hour. The perspective officer is required to submit  any questions in writing to the Contract Specialist not later then twenty-four  hours preceding the site visit. The attendance to the site visit must be  confirmed by the perspective officer to the Contract Specialist on or before  Tuesday September 4, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood  Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisition (OA), for the National Institute of  Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) intend to award a purchase order for  one each, Custom 2-photon Imaging system. The Laboratory of Sensory Biology,  needs this custom made 2-photon Imaging System to enable use of this powerful  methodology for studies of the neural-circuitry, molecular and cellular basis  of sensory perception. The system shall provide precise and deep-imaging (0.- 3mm) of tissue including peripheral sensory organs, the neural ganglia and the  Central Nervous System. The system shall be capable of exploiting novel  genetically encoded optical switches and caged biologically active compounds  and thus must be designed to allow flexible 2-photon based uncaging deep  within tissue with exquisite and user defined precision e.g. at cellular and  subcellular resolution. The system must also be compatible with coordinated  electrophysiological recordings from the preparation undergoing imaging. The 2-photon microscope system required for these types of experimental  projects, must meet the following criteria: (1) 2-photon microscopy of various  biological preparations ranging from tissue slices to whole animals (mice and  rats) using a broad range of spectral excitation frequencies. (2) 2-photon  uncaging using a similar range of spectral excitation frequencies as a built  in option. (3) Ability to illuminate samples with conventional fluorescent  illumination and visible light and to carry out electrophysiological  recordings from the preparation being used for microscopy. (4) The system  shall have the ability to perform precise user-specified 2-photon uncaging and  should use different galvanometers for scanning and uncaging. (5) The  software controlling the system shall be designed to directly incorporate  electrophysiological recording in parallel to imaging and uncaging. (6) The  company shall supply and build a complete custom system including optical  table and lasers and to coordinate with NIDCR investigators and Project  Officers for the delivery of the complete system. (7) The imaging system must  be capable of fitting within the available imaging room with a 10 foot 6 inch  square floor-plan. To meet these requirements and in addition to them, the system must include  the following specifications:  1. Automatic switching between two scanning methods: a. Standard Scanning ? uses X & Y galvanometer driven mirrors b. High Speed Scanning Option? uses Y galvanometer and Acousto Optic  Deflector (AOD) for X scanning i. 512 x ~512 pixels at 25 fps ii. Zoom factors of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 times. 2. Systems may be upgraded to the high speed scanning option if it is not  purchased initially. 3. Laser input optics for two simultaneous beams. One for the imaging  optics and the second for uncaging (photolysis) applications. This option is  designed for use with two Ti: Sapphire lasers for simultaneous two-photon  imaging and two-photon uncaging. May be used with a single laser in an  alternating mode between imaging and uncaging. 4. Synchronization of imaging line scans, uncaging, and electrical  recording data in a single computer. 5. A total of six external non-descanned fluorescence detectors may be  used simultaneously: a. Two or four detectors located above the specimen b. Two detectors located below the specimen 6. Laser delivery optics utilize a Pockels cell for laser power  attenuation and beam blanking in order to minimize laser pulse dispersion and  the need to pre-chirp the laser in the standard galvanometer based system. 7. Transmitted Dodt gradient contrast detector allows simultaneous  viewing of gradient contrast image and fluorescent images overlaid in the same  or individual image windows. During acquisition of z series data, the laser power and or the PMT high  voltage can be automatically adjusted as a function of depth into the specimen. It is anticipated that the construction of such a system will take several  months once the contract is awarded and that the offeror will work closely  with the end users to ensure delivery and installation of the complete system  by June 30, 2008. The imaging system shall be placed within the available  imaging room which cannot exceed a maximum width of 10 feet. Specific Requirements: The contractor shall be responsible for training,  inside delivering, and installation of the system.  The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial  Items (Sept 2006), is applicable to this acquisition. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation ? Commercial Items (Jan  1999), is applicable to this acquisition. The purchase order award will be  made to the Offeror whose product meets the Government?s minimum performance  specifications, functional specifications, and delivery date as specified  above. A best buy analysis will be performed taking into consideration price,  shipping points, technical specifications, special features, probable life of  the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item, warranty  considerations, maintenance availability, environmental and energy efficiency  considerations, delivery terms, and past performance. In addition to a price  quote, the Offeror must submit descriptive literature of the product proposed,  a commercial price list, warranty provisions, and any other information the  Offeror considers relevant to the Government?s evaluation of the product  proposed. The Government intends to evaluate the proposals and award the  contract without discussion with Offerors. Therefore, the initial offer  should contain the Offerors best terms for a technical and price standpoint.  However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, request  product samples or demonstrations, if later determined by the Contracting  Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any and all offers if such  action is deemed necessary. The Government may also waive informalities and  minor irregularities in the offers received. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and  Certifications ? Commercial Items (Nov 2006), applies to this acquisitions.  The Offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause  52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications ? Commercial Items with  its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions ?  Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The addendum to FAR Clause  5212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions ? Commercial Items is as follows: The  Offeror must include in its quote, the unit price, the list price,  installation charges, shipping and handling cost, the delivery date, prompt  payment discount terms, the F.O.B. point (Destination or Origin), and provided  descriptive literature inclusive of specifications as part of the quotation.  The DUN and Bradstreet Number (DUNs), the Taxpayer Identification Number  (TIN), and the business size. The Offeror must be registered in the  Government?s Central contractor Registry (CCR) System, which is available at  www.ccr.gov. The FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement  Statutes or Executive Orders ? Commercial Items (June 2007),? Deviation For  Simplified Acquisitions, applies to this acquisition.  The following FAR Clauses cited are applicable to this acquisition: (1)  52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O.) 11246). (2) 52.222-35, Affirmative Action  for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212). (3) 52.222- 36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793). (4) 52,.222- 37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the  Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212). (5) 52.225-3, Buy American Act ? supplies (41  U.S.C. 10). (6) (I) 52.225-21, Buy American Act ? North American Free Trade  Agreement Implementation Act ? Balance of Payments Program (41 U.S.C. 10, Pub.  L. 103-187). (7) (ii) Alternate I of 52.225-21. (8) 52.239-1, Privacy or  Security Safeguards (5 U.S.C. 552a). There are no numbered notes applicable to this notice. Quotations are due on Monday September 15, 2007, 10 a.m. Eastern time at the  National heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, Procurement  Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6042, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902.  Attention Cecilia D. Morales, Contract Specialist, (301) 435-0369. Quotations  may be submitted electronically to Moralesc@nhlbi.nih.gov or by FAX to (301)  480-3345. The electronic transmission and fax transmission must referece the  solicitation number: NHLBI-PB(DE)-2007-235/CDM. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which if timely received, shall  be considered by the agency.