Added: May 08, 2008 2:39 pm
SUBJECT: CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPE SYSTEMThis is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in
accordance with the format in FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions, as
supplemented with additional information included in this notice. QUOTES
ARE
BEING REQUESTED. Responses shall reference Request for Quotations No.
DE-RQ26-08NT00566 the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology
Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA intends to purchase (FOR DELIVERY TO OUR
SITE IN MORGANTOWN, WV) the following:
Specification for a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope
Definitions
1. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy a technique for obtaining
high-resolution optical images, distinguished by its ability to produce
in-focus images of thick specimens. Through the use of a system employing
a
laser, objective lens, beam splitter, a photo-detection device, and other
equipment known and used in the microscopy industry, this technique
acquires
images point-by-point and allows a computer to digitally reconstruct them
into
a three dimensional surface.
2. Objective Lens Magnification, M(ob) image magnification attributed
solely
to the objective lens portion of the microscope.
3. Video Camera Adapter Magnification, M(video camera) image
magnification
attributed to the video camera adapter, which includes the photo eyepiece.
4. Monitor magnification, M(video monitor) image magnification that
results
from enlarging a video image from the actual field of view to the extents
of
the video monitor.
5. Total Magnification for video monitor system, M(toal, video) This is
the
total magnification displayed on a video monitor. For the purposes of the
requested Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope, which uses both objective
lenses
and video camera, the total magnification at the video monitor is the
numerical
product of the objective lens magnification and the video camera
magnification
and the monitor magnification. In mathematical terms,
M(total, video) = M(ob) x M(video camera) x M(video monitor)
6. Resolving Power (i.e. Resolution) the ability to differentiate two
lines
or points from one another in an object.
7. Resolution the minimum distance between two lines or points that can
still be distinguished
8. Sample The object, supplied by the user, to be imaged via the confocal
laser scanning microscope.
9. Stage platform that holds the sample beneath the imaging portion of
the
confocal laser scanning microscope
10. x-y plane Two dimensional surface that is parallel to the facility
floor
(i.e. the stage surface). X-direction and Y-direction is intended to
describe
mutually perpendicular linear directions in the x-y plane.
11. z-direction linear dimension that is perpendicular to the x-y plane
12. Working Distance The distance between the front edge of the objective
lens and the specimen surface, when the specimen is focused. In this
definition, specimen surface is synonymous with the term focus plane.
Required Specification
1. The Microscope must be a platform that is suited for ultra-fine surface
observation and measurement by accomplishing a variety of optical
techniques.
2. The Microscope must have a motorized, revolving nosepiece to quickly
switch
objective lenses as it accomplishes the various microscopic inspections.
3. One of the microscopic inspection techniques accomplished by The
Microscope
must be a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy technique(s), having the
ability
to achieve resolution at least as low as 0.12 micrometers in the x-y plane,
simultaneous with resolution in the z-direction at least as low as 0.01
micrometers.
4. In addition to the Confocal Laser Scanning technique, the Microscope
must be
able to acquire a white-light illuminated optical image via a combination
of
objective lens and video camera so that the image may be viewed and saved
in
digital format.
5. In addition to the Confocal Laser Scanning technique, the Microscope
must be
able to acquire images via Polarized Light optical technique(s), which is
also
captured via a combination of objective lens and video camera so that the
image
may be viewed and saved in digital format.
6. The objective lens intended to be used with the Confocal Laser Scanning
technique(s) must be optimized in conjunction with the laser selection to
minimize or eliminate chromatic aberrations.
7. The objective lenses intended to be used with the non-confocal laser
scanning optical techniques shall consist of each of the following:
a. Objective Lens with magnification at 50x (i.e. M(ob) = 50x) having image
resolution less than 0.5 micrometers.
b. Objective Lens with magnification at 50x (i.e. M(ob) = 50x) having image
resolution less than 1.0 micrometers and having a long working distance,
being
on the order of 10 millimeters (plus or minus 20%).
c. Objective Lens with magnification at 20x (i.e. M(ob) = 20x) having image
resolution less than 0.8 micrometers.
d. Objective Lens with magnification at 10x (i.e. M(ob) = 10x) having image
resolution less than 1.2 micrometers.
e. Objective Lens with magnification at 5x (i.e. M(ob) = 10x) having image
resolution less than 2.5 micrometers.
8. Software and/or Microscope Control must have auto focus capability, auto
brightness control, and auto contrast control.
9. The Microscope must be equipped with a motorized stage that can move the
sample at least 100 millimeters in the x-direction and/or 100 millimeters
y-direction. The motorized stage motion must be able to accept
computerized
control and automation from microscope interface. The motorized stage must
have the ability to travel in 1 micrometer increments
10. The Microscopes stage must have the ability to rotate sample on the
stage.
11. The Microscope must be supplied with a vibration isolation table. This
table may work from a 100 psi (or less) compressed gas source, such as air
or
nitrogen. The table must have capability to isolate vibrations, generated
from
nearby road traffic, from the sample when viewing under any of the
Objective
Lenses.
12. The Microscope must be supplied with imaging software with the
following
capabilities
a. View and save images in BMP format, TIFF format, and JPEG format in
addition
to any proprietary image formats
b. Data processing to filter/remove image noise
c. Data analysis to accomplish distance and volume measurement
d. Particle analysis to determine area, volume, gravity point of each
particle
in an image in addition to a count of total particles, total area, and area
ratios among particle subsets.
e. Data analysis to determine area and volume of a sample within the field
of
view.
13. The Microscope and software must be able to work together to capture
images
in adjacent fields-of-view and digitally stitch (i.e. tile) these images
into a
larger image having a greater field-of-view, but having resolution
equivalent
to the smaller image. This capability must be automated in conjunction
with
the motorized stage described above.
The provisions at 52.212-2 Evaluation Commercial Items (JAN 1999) does
not
apply to this acquisition. Instead, the following information will be used
for
evaluation of offerors: An award shall be made to the responsible offeror
submitting a technically acceptable quote and offering the lowest evaluated
price. Evaluation is based on best value including cost and ability to
meet
stated requirements above. Offerors shall submit descriptive literature
and
drawings detailing features, technical capabilities and warranty data.
Technical acceptability will be determined solely on the content and merit
of
the information submitted response to this provision as it compares to the
minimum characteristics provided above. Therefore, it is essential that
offerors provide sufficient technical literature, documentation, etc., in
order
for the Government evaluation team to make an adequate technical assessment
of
the quote as meeting technical acceptability. Price shall be the deciding
factor among technically acceptable quotes. All interested firms must
respond
to DE-RQ26-08NT000566 by 05:30 P.M. EST, May 22, 2008. The North American
Industry Classification (NIAC) is 333314. ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHALL
SUBMIT
OFFERS WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Federal Tax Identification (TIN);
Dun &;
Bradstreet Number (DUNS); and remit to address if different. A Firm Fixed
Priced Purchase Order shall be issued using the Simplified Acquisition
Procedures FAR Part 13. Quotes may be faxed to Mr. Robert Mohn, at
412-386-5770 or E-mailed to both Robert.Mohn@netl.doe.gov and
Kenneth.Lyons@netl.doe.gov . . All technical questions should be
directed to
the Technical Representatives Mr. Kenneth Lyons at 304-285-4379.
