Nikon AX R with Nikon Spatial Array ConfocalMicroscope System.

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Contract Opportunity

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director (OD) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, including 8(a) small businesses, small, disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or HUBZone small businesses capable of providing a new Brand name or equal to Nikon AX R with Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) Microscope Detector Technology System.

Description:

Planned experiments involve ex vivo imaging of dissected mouse cochleae to study dendritic function and signaling in olivocochlear efferent neurons. Experiments will include calcium imaging, neurotransmitter imaging, genetically encoded voltage indicator imaging, and simultaneous patch-clamp electrophysiology. The neuronal dendrites under study are approximately 1 µm in diameter, produce dim fluorescent signals, and require high-speed imaging with high signal-to-noise ratio.

The microscope system must provide enhanced fluorescence detection sensitivity to enable reliable detection of weak fluorescent signals while minimizing photobleaching and phototoxicity. The system must be configured as an upright microscope to accommodate ex vivo cochlear preparations, high-numerical-aperture water-dipping objectives, live pharmacological manipulations during experiments, and integration with patch-clamp electrophysiology equipment.

Product Specifications/Features/Salient Characteristics Required Minimum Specifications:

Required Specifications for Confocal Imaging System:

Microscope configuration -Upright microscope configuration (FN1 compatible)

Detector technology -25-element SPPC (Single Pixel Photon Counter) array detector

Detector sensitivity - Single-photon sensitivity

Detector noise - Ultra-low-noise detector array

Signal-to-noise ratio - Improved SNR compared with conventional PMT and GaAsP detectors

Imaging application - Live imaging of ex vivo cochlear preparations

Objectives -Compatible with high-numerical-aperture (1.0 N.A.) water-dipping objectives

Patch-clamp integration -Compatible with simultaneous electrophysiology experiments

Drug application -Supports live pharmacological manipulation during imaging

Time-lapse imaging -Required for monitoring dynamic neuronal activity

Calcium imaging -Required

Neurotransmitter imaging -Required

Voltage imaging -Required

Low-light imaging - Required for dim genetically encoded indicators

Photobleaching reduction - Improved signal collection allowing lower excitation power

Phototoxicity reduction -Required for extended live imaging experiments

Lateral resolution -Approximately 100 nm super-resolution capability

Axial resolution - Approximately 300 nm super-resolution capability

Resonant imaging -Compatible with AX R resonant scanner

Pixel dwell time -As short as 200 nanoseconds

Maximum resonant image size - Up to 2048 × 2048 pixels

High-speed acquisition - Up to 720 fps at 2048 × 16 pixels

Large field of view -FN25 optical system

Software compatibility -Nikon NIS-Elements software compatibility required

Existing workflow compatibility -Compatible with existing Nikon imaging workflows and user expertise

User training burden - No significant additional training compared to existing Nikon systems

Collaborative research support - Capable of supporting NIH and extramural collaborations

Interested firms with the capability of providing all the required items shall submit a capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation 19.104-1.

The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industrial Classification (NAICS) code 334516 with a size standard of 1000e. All respondents are required to identify their firm’s size and type of business. Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide (a) capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Government’s requirements for the above. The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough details so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the items above. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, delivery timeframe, warranties and other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number, and email address of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to the market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. A copy of the capability statement must be received via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov Attn: Tina Robinson prior to 5:00 pm eastern daylight time on June 24, 2026. Capability statement must reference solicitation# 75N98026R00105. Submission by email must also reference solicitation # 75N98026R00105 on the subject line of the email. Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov and must include solicitation# 75N98026R00105 on the subject line of email. Capability statements, etc will not be returned to firm/sender. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

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