Axio Zoom Microscope - Saskatchewan

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid Attachment: None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: Carl Zeiss Canada Ltd 45 Valleybrook Drive Toronto Ontario Canada M3B2S6 Nature of Requirements: Axio Zoom Microscope - Saskatchewan

31029-124240/A Gerstmar, Denise Telephone No. - (306) 975-8912 Fax No. - (306) 975-5397

Requirement: To supply a Carl Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 fluorescence microscope, fitted with the Zeiss Axiocam HRm camera for the National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, SK. Delivery should be as soon as possible.

Mandatory Specifications: The National Research Council has initiated a Wheat Flagship focusing on upstream wheat research in genomics, abiotic/abiotic stresses, cell technologies, plant development, and beneficial wheat-microbe interactions.As part of the Wheat Improvement through Cell Technologies (WICT) program within this flagship, plant cell culture methodologies will be developed in order to provide breeders with doubled haploidy technology. In addition, methodologies for gene editing will be developed using nanocarriers. For this latter purpose, a dedicated, high quality fluorescent stereo microscope with macroscopic visualization and a camera with high sensitivity to fluorescent signals are required. Because the samples it is to be used for must remain under sterile conditions, this microscope must be able to fit and function within the confines and exposed to the airflow of a laminar flow hood. For these purposes, it must have the following features: Zoom-microscope for both transmitted (visible) and (primarily) fluorescent light. Must also be capable of stereo vision for scanning plates and parallax free imaging. Because of housing in a laminar flow hood, overall height is required to be 29" or less, including base and camera. The eyepieces must be no more than 19 inches high. Also due to location in laminar flow hood, a low-rise anti-vibration base must be included. Continuous Zoom capabilities to 16:1 (motorized or electronic) or better. Apochromatically corrected optics (both zoom and objective lens) Magnification range up to 112x, with Planar APO objective of 1.0x, retaining a working distance >57 mm. Numerical aperture with 1x objective shall be 0.25 or better Capable of resolution of 700 lines per mm or better Motorized iris diaphragm with automated settings for: highest brightness, best resolution to camera and best depth of field Beamsplitter must automatically switch from eyes to camera position when images are being taken. Transmitted LED light base with a homogenous brightfield, oblique and darkfield illumination Adjustable ocular phototube to accommodate users of different heights Motorized focus drive (with manual fine focus) Lamp change must be simple such that the user can make the change Reflected light with adjustable (articulated) arms and LED cold light source controlled by remote control station and by imaging software Mixed gas fluorescence light source with at least a 2000 hour lamp life span, liquid light guide, motorized shutter with a remote control Fluorescent filters for GFP/FDA, YFP, dsRed, and DAPI staining on one motorized turret for ease of change without damage (and for safety), motorized shutter Include a computer workstation that has an LCD monitor (> 30") for images in real time All associated cables-with consideration that the microscope will be housed in a laminar flow hood but the computer will not for reasons of space. All associated software for image acquisition, processing and analysis, with capability for at least 3 users to work offline on processing/analysis. Motorized control of microscope, illumination and the camera systems integrated through the software program. Motorized control through a touch screen and also a joystick to accommodate comfort and preferences of different users. Software revisions, updates and new versions during warranty period. Any necessary installation/ on-site training. Equipped with monochrome camera suitable for the high sensitivity requirements of fluorescent photography (publication quality photographs). At least 13 megapixel scanning resolution. Camera should be 14 bit or better and offer several binning options (up to 5 x 5 preferred) for best flexibility in imaging low intensity fluorescence signals as fast as possible Camera should be cooled

Sole Source Justification: Axio Zoom V16 has capabilities for both transmitted (visible) and (primarily) fluorescent light. In addition to its use for photography, it is also capable of stereo vision for scanning plates and has parallax free imaging. It has continuous, motorized zoom capabilities to 16:1. Including the camera and low-rise vibration base to be included, it has an overall height less than the maximum (29") that would be functional in a laminar flow hood.

The apochromatically corrected optics (both zoom and objective lens) have a magnification range up to 112x, with Planar APO objective of 1.0x, while retaining a working distance >57 mm. This working distance is imperative for manipulation of specimens. The 1x objective has numerical aperture of 0.25 for superior resolution

The cooled monochrome camera is suitable for the high sensitivity requirements of fluorescent photography (publication quality photographs) with 13 megapixels of scanning resolution. The camera is 14 bit or with several binning options (up to 5 x 5) for best flexibility in imaging low intensity fluorescence signals as fast as possible. For photography, the beamsplitter switches from the ocular (eyes) to the camera position. The mixed gas fluorescence light source has a 2000 hour lamp life span, with a liquid light guide, and a motorized shutter with a remote control.

The transmitted LED light base has homogenous brightfield, oblique and darkfield illumination. Also, the reflected light has adjustable (articulated) arms and LED cold light source controlled by remote control station and by imaging software.

The Axio Zoom 16 has several important features designed to accommodate users of different heights and experience levels. This include: an adjustable ocular phototube to a range of angles and below 19", the upper limit for comfortable use in a laminar flow hood; a motorized iris diaphragm with automated settings for highest brightness, best resolution to camera and best depth of field; a simple lamp change; motorized focus drive with options for manual, joystick and touch screen focussing; fluorescent filters for GFP/FDA, YFP, dsRed, and DAPI staining on one motorized turret for ease of change without damage (and for safety), motorized shutter; motorized control of the microscope, illumination and the camera systems is integrated through the software program.

The computer workstation that has a 30" LCD monitor for images in real time. With consideration that the microscope will be housed in a laminar flow hood but the computer will not for reasons of space, all associated cables are of sufficient length to bridge the gap. The associated 'Zen Lite' software for image acquisition, processing and analysis, has the capability for an unlimited number of users to work offline on processing/analysis. Also, to remain current, any software revisions, updates or new versions will be provided during the warranty period. Also, because of the complexity of the set up, installation and on-site training are provided.

While other microscopy systems may have subsets of the required components, only the Carl Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 fitted with the Zeiss Axiocam HRm camera has the total package of features required for high quality visualization and photography of (perhaps weakly) fluorescent microspores and small embryos under the height restrictions and airflow conditions of a laminar flow hood, by researchers of different height and experience as well as dexterity preferences (manual, joystick or touch screen focussing).

Only Known Source of Supply: Carl Zeiss Canada 45 Valley Brook Drive Toronto ON M3B 2S6

Trade Agreements: The requirement is applicable to the Agreement on International Trade (AIT) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Government Contracts Regulations Exception and Limited Tendering Reason: 3.15 Non-competitive Contracting Process b) The GCRs require the competitive soliciting of bids before any contract is entered into. However, contracts may be entered into without soliciting bids when: iv) only one person is capable of performing the contract (GCRs 6.(d)).

AIT Article 506: Procedures for Procurement 12. Where only one supplier is able to meet the requirements of a procurement, an entity may use procurement procedures that are different from those described in paragraphs 1 through 10 in the following circumstances: b) where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no alternative or substitute exists; NAFTA Article 1016: Limited Tendering Procedures 2. An entity may use limited tendering procedures in the following circumstances and subject to the following conditions, as applicable: b) where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

Contract Value: The estimated value of this procurement is $94,151.40 CAD.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above.

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