This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. We are specifically looking either for distributors of the brand name item listed below or an equivalent compatible item. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background: The National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program requires equipment and software that have specialized features to allow live imaging of subcellular particles for their Neurogenetics Research Project.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a multiphoton live imaging system equipment and software that can be used to examine synaptic transmission, organelle transport, and other subcellular phenotypes in awake behaving mice. The imaging system will allow researchers to longitudinally monitor the progressive subcellular impairments in vivo in various mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Project requirements: Salient characteristics:

A multiphoton live imaging system with the following salient characteristics:

• Scanning Field-of-View: The 2P Plus scan head realizes a new optical design optimized for extended scanning field-of-view in both galvo mode and resonant mode. The system maintains PSF within 1 axial PSF across entire field at scan zoom 1x. Overscan allows for scan zoom 0.8x for 1.4mm x 1.4mm field of view with Nikon 16x 0.8 objective. With an overscan Field Number of 28.3mm the 2P Plus has the largest scanning field of view of any commercial system.

• 3D Volume imaging with ETL: The microscope includes a motorized Z focus; it also includes an electrically tunable lens (ETL) in the resonant scan path. The ETL provides high-speed dynamic positioning of the focal plane for Z-stacks. It is also decoupled from the photoactivation scan path, enabling simultaneous imaging and photoactivation from different Z-locations (480um total range).

• Close Proximity Detectors: The 2P Plus offers up to four detectors that are in close proximity to the objective and move in unison with the objective. The short and fixed path length between the collection lens and objective allows for more efficient collection of scattered photons and 14° angle of collection from back aperture of the objective.

• 2" Collection optics: The 2P Plus uses 2" collection optics from the objective to the detectors to ensure that the diverging photons end up hitting the photo cathode of the detectors instead of getting lost along the way.

• Rotating Nosepiece: Single axis rotating nosepiece that swivels 90 degrees on either side of its normal position. This allows users to image regions that are on the back or the side of the head such as auditory cortex.

• Resonant Scanner "add-on": The resonant scanner in the 2P Plus scanhead is a true add-on, meaning it is relayed onto the standard 6mm imaging galvos. This architecture allows for either traditional raster scanning in galvo mode (adjustable dwell time, line scans, ROIs, etc) or high-speed scanning in resonant mode, selectable via drop-down in software for seamless switching. Resonant ROIs have increased SNR as the resonant scanner can be re-centered in the field of view with the x-galvo.

• Photoactivation: The 2P Plus can be upgraded with full field Photoactivation with LEDs. The system includes inputs and glass for two LEDs, designed for 470nm and 590nm. Photoactivation can be performed rapidly during imaging when high speed shutters are used. This allows the users to do optical stimulation experiments with minimal delay between activation and imaging.

• Neuralight 3D SLM: 2P Plus can be upgraded to perform simultaneous multi-point optical stimulation/activation in the secondary galvo pathway. Utilizes a custom Spatial Light Modulator for dynamic control of the wavefront in Fourier space to manipulate the number of spots created and their position in 3D space. Coupling into the galvo path allows for use of diffraction-limited spots that can be spiraled rapidly with the galvos, maintaining photon density for reliable activation and covering larger areas (e.g. cell bodies) with the spirals. This enables the Bruker SLM module to take advantage of existing uncaging, raster, point, and spiral activation protocols that have been vetted by the scientific community.

• Moving Microscope: Translation along X and Y axes, up to 1.5", in addition to the standard Z axis 1.25". This allows use of simple, non-motorized, experiment-specific stages for in vivo experiments where the specimen is held stationary while the scope is moved around (such as a head-fixed mouse running on a ball or a customized tread mill). This also enables Atlas Imaging, a software feature for visualizing a montage and picking out ROIs from a large sample area.

• Easy access to animal/specimen for behavioral stimulation: The microscope has been specifically designed for in vivo work. Its slender design allows plenty of room underneath the objective to accommodate diverse experimental needs. In addition, the design also allows plenty of room around the scope to bring in behavioral equipment close to the animal without spatial constraints. The 2p Plus also allows more room between the objective and the scope body to accommodate cases where the animal's orientation has to be changed for behavioral stimulation.

• High Efficiency GaAsP detectors with shutters: The detectors are cost-effectively upgraded to high sensitivity GaAsP detectors hand-selected for QE > 45%. These detectors have about twice the QE of multi alkali detectors. High-speed shutters are integrated into the detector mounts to protect the PMTs from exposure to any Photoactivation light or ambient light when not in use for imaging.

• More than 1000 frames per second imaging: Resonant scanner enables high speed scanning (30fps at 512 x 512 resolutions at full field of view). This is particularly useful for Calcium imaging. Use of ROIs (regions of interest) with resonant scanner provides even higher frame rates limited only by the number of lines in the ROI. These ROIs can have any number of pixels along a line leading to better SNR, and better sample viability. Since the ROIs are not limited to 32 or more lines, frame rates greater than 1000 fps can be achieved; for instance 790fps for 512 x 16 ROI or 1319fps for 512 x 8 ROI.

• Tiling software for Whole Brain Imaging: Software provides a highly intuitive user interface to capture high resolution images of large samples (whole brains in 3D). The preview mode allows users to setup the acquisition, and the software combined with high precision stages collects the images in "tiles" to construct the whole image in 3D. This feature is enabled by the motorized XYZ microscope and is fully functional on sample stages with static position.

• User login based software configuration: The software supports multiple users and saves their configurations within their logins. It also allows users to save multiple configurations (relating to different experiments) for fast and easy re-loading of correct experimental parameters.

• Real Time Data Analysis and Feedback: The software makes the data available to an external program so that the data can be analyzed in real time if required. For instance, a third party program such as Matlab can request image data from the software, analyze the image and send commands back to the software to move the stage to bring the cell of interest back to the middle of field of view. All of this can be done in real time.

• Synchronization with ePhys: The software provides accurate timing information about scans using pixel clock, line clock, and frame clock signals (TTL). These signals can be used to trigger external devices. In addition, the software provides the ability to produce up to 8 analog outputs and record from up to 16 analog inputs synchronized with photo-stimulation experiments.

In addition, vendor must be able to provide all complimentary accessories.

Anticipated period of performance: Delivery is expected 90 - 150 days after receipt of order.

Other important considerations: None

REQUESTED INFORMATION: (1) STATEMENT OF CAPABILITY: Submit a brief description [ten (10) pages or less] that includes product specifications. Include past experience with performing this type of service for Government (Federal or State) agencies, or for a private medical facility. Please indicate your address (2) BUSINESS SIZE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS: (a) Indicate whether your business is large or small (b) If small, indicate if your firm qualifies as a small, emerging business, or small disadvantaged business (c) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (d) Indicate if your firm is a certified Hub-zone firm (e) Indicate if your firm is a woman-owned or operated business (f) Indicate if your firm is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)(g) Include the DUNS number of your firm. (h) State whether your firm is registered with SAM System for Award Management www.sam.gov/. If not, please NOTE: any future solicitation can only be awarded to a contractor who is registered in SAM.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Renee Dougherty, Contract Specialist, at e-mail address [email protected]

The response must be received on or before August 19, 2019, 11:00 AM, Eastern Time.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)."