The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to Toptica Photonics, Inc., 1286 Blossom Drive, Suite 1, Victor, NY 14564-1402 to provide the following to the Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch (MPTB), NIDCR:

• Illumination System for Fluorescence Microscopy

This Toptica Photonics Polychrome V Monochromator-based Illumination System for Fluorescence Microscopy is needed for the new TILL system in the lab. This system is required for the Epithelial Signaling and Transport Section, MPTB, NIDCR and contains the following specifications:

• Wavelength range of 320-680nm (center wavelength tuning);
• Switching time from any one wavelength to another in < 2ms, ~0.5ms switching for Fura calcium ratio imaging;
• Light source and power supply included with monochromator;
• Output power from fiber is >10 mW at 470nm, using 15nm HBW (half-power bandwidth);
• Microscope-matching condenser designed for optimized illumination density in image plane within the camera field of view, stability < 0.4% pp;
• Lamp lifetime is rated at 2000 hours, which brings consistency of data month to month;
• Connection to microscope is via included quartz fiber;
• Motorized, software-controlled bandwidth from 2-15nm; and,
• Motorized, software-controlled intensity adjustment.

The sole source determination is based on the fact that the MPTB currently has equipment in place which this illumination system will need to be compatible with. It is important to maintain consistency and the reproducibility of data is essential.

The delivery point is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), Bethesda, Maryland.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 333314, Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competitive Requirements, are not applicable and the resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-53 (August 4, 2011).

Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis by August 9, 2011 at 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct future competitive procurements.

Inquiries to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-CSB-(DE)-2011-290-JML, may be submitted to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisitions, COAC Services Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 6151, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Jonathan Lear. Responses may be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Faxes will not be accepted. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative.