The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to award a sole source firm fixed price purchase order to BioTek Instruments, Inc. for Automated microscope (Lionheart FX). The protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum can grow in cell culture, which has replaced in vivo animal models for the assessment of disinfection strategies and primary evaluation of potential antiparasitic drug therapy. Because parasite amplification in culture is limited, we require sensitive microscopical assays to detect relatively small increases in parasite numbers to determine loss of infectivity or reductions in parasite growth following treatments. Our existing Zeiss Axiovert 200 microscope system (partially automated) is not compatible with Windows 10 and certain hardware components are no longer supported by Zeiss microscopy. A major failure in any component will require replacement of the system at an expense comparable to the Lionheart FX cost. A replacement system compatible with the ITSO standardized Windows 10 platform with network support is needed.
The Lionheart FX augmented microscope is unique in that it works with a variety of microscope slides and culture chambers with both fixed and stained specimens as well as with live cell cultures in an enclosed humidity and CO2-controlled system that allows visualization and measurement of intracellular infection and drug kinetics in real-time over several days. There are other systems that allow time- lapse detection; however, the BioTek system has higher magnification (to 100x objective, oil immersion) and adjustable CO2 control to support different cell types, as well as injection ports for controlled parasite inoculum and drug treatment.
Together, these capabilities allow for studying disinfection and antiparasitic drug
activity in different cell types that serve as hosts for the parasite and better examine efforts to eliminate the parasite from those cells. Moreover, the Lionheart FX can serve as a platform for automated enumeration of parasite growth following immunofluorescence antibody labeling.
Important features of the The BioTek Lionheart FX system that will advance our research studies include: it works with 6- to 1536-well microplates, cell culture dishes and flasks, chamber slides and counting chambers; includes fluorescence, brightfield, color brightfield and phase contrast imaging capability; includes 6- position objective turret; has 4 filter cube capacity from a selection of more than 15 color sets available; has 1.25x to 100x air and oil immersion objectives available; has high resolution lead screw driven stage with open access; includes image-based and laser autofocus; includes basic cell image analysis software with available advanced image analysis options; has available environmental control cover for light tight imaging; incubation to 40°C, and gas control capability; has available humidity & gas control chamber with rapid gas recharge; has available CO2/O2 control module; has available dual reagent injector module; is an integrated system with very small footprint.
The Lionheart FX automated microscope is essential to our research needs. No other microscope will suffice.

This contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (SAP) and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within five (5) days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this 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 a competitive procurement. Any quotation/response should be emailed to William Brannen at [email protected] by 2:00 P.M. EST, August 29, 2018.

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