SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI/Sources Sought) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 10.002(b)(2), FAR 12.101, FAR 12.103 & FAR 12.202(a).
DISCLAIMER
This request for information, sources sought (RFI/Sources Sought) is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 10.002(b)(2), FAR 12.101, FAR 12.103 & FAR 12.202(a), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought/RFI only. The purpose of this sources sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified Small Businesses under NAICS 339112, (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing industry), but does not exclude others from responding. Responses to this source sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this source sought, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this source sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement.
SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 10, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, is seeking sources that can provide a BX43 Cytology Microscope and accessories for Surgical Department Mechanical Room that meets the following:
Product/Items
ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNIT
OR STOCK NO.
Request purchase only of BX43 Pathology Microscope and accessories
BX43-1-3 Microscope frame 2 EA
2. True color LED light source for BX43F, BX46F and BX63F 2 EA
3. UYCP-11; US Style 3-prong cord 2 EA
4. U-TTR-2 tiltable trinocular ergo 2 EA
5. WHN10X-H-1-8 eyepiece NOSEPIECE,REVERSE,ANALYZER SLOT,RMS THREAD 4 EA
6. U-D6RE;6 POSITION 2 EA
7. PLN2X/0,06 Plan Achromat, WD=5,8, NA=0,06 CC=- 2 EA
8. PLN4X/0.1 Plan Achromat Objective 4x 2 EA
9. PLN10X/0,25 Plan Achromat 10x, 2 EA
10. PLN20X/0.4 Plan Achromat Objective 10 PLN20X/0.4 Plan Achromat Objective 20x 2 EA
11. PLN40X/0,65 Plan Achromat 40x, WD=0,6, NA=0,65, CC=0,17
2 EA
12. PLCN60X-1-7 Plan achromat objective
60X/0.8, WD 0.2 2 EA
13. Swing-out condenser, NA 0.9-0.17, with white contrast cap 2 EA
14 U-SVRB-4; RIGHT HAND MECHANICAL STAGE, RACKLESS, LONG STALK 2 EA
15. U-HLDT-4; LEFT RELEASE SLIDE HOLDER, DOUBLE SLIDE, THICK 2 EA
16. E9703006; DP23 1/1.8" 6.4MP color CMOS, 2.4um, 45fps, incl. USB3.1 cable (2.9m) 2 EA
17. cellSens Entry Electronic License 2 EA
18 U-TV0.5XC-3-8 C-mount camera adapter 2 EA
19. U-ANT; ANALYZER FOR TRANSMITTED 2 EA
LIGHT, FITS IN NOSEPI SLIDER
20. Polarizer For Transmitted Light, 45mm Diameter, Fits in BX Light Well
2 EA
21 COVER-018; DUST COVER, HOOD TYPE FOR BX2 MICROSCOPES
2 EA
22. SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGE 1 EA
23. INCLUDES ON-SITE INSTALLATION, TRAINING & CALIBRATION
1 EA
Optical and Imaging Performance:
UIS2 infinity-corrected optical system
Plan Apochromat or Plan Fluorite objectives optimized for cytology applications
High numerical aperture objectives suitable for oil immersion cytopathology
100x oil immersion capability
Wide field number (FN 22 or greater)
High-resolution visualization suitable for evaluation of cellular morphology, cytologic abnormalities, infectious organisms, and neoplastic processes
OEM camera adapter compatibility for integration with existing digital imaging systems
Illumination System:
True Color LED light source compatible with BX43F, BX46F, and BX63F
Daylight-balanced illumination to support accurate cytologic color interpretation
Flicker-free, stable output
LED lifespan 20,000 hours
Intensity memory function
Uniform illumination across full field of view
Ergonomic and Mechanical Features:
Ergonomic observation tube with adjustable inclination
Low-position coaxial focus knobs
Coarse and fine focus with tension adjustment
Precision mechanical stage with fine movement control
Stage inserts compatible with cytology slide preparation
Configuration optimized for prolonged microscopic review
Required OEM Accessories and Components:
The Contractor shall provide all OEM components necessary to ensure full functionality and activation, including but not limited to:
Proprietary stage inserts
Light modules
Camera adapters
Immersion oil kits (OEM approved)
Dust covers
Power cords
Calibration and setup materials
Required mounting hardware
Any additional OEM components necessary for clinical operation
All components must be new, OEM-manufactured, and fully compatible with existing Evident BX-series microscopes currently deployed within the laboratory.
Interoperability Requirements:
The Cytology Section is standardized on the Evident BX-series microscope platform. All diagnostic workflows, imaging protocols, training materials, and maintenance programs are built upon this system.
The requested microscopes are additional to the currently deployed fleet and must:
Integrate seamlessly with existing BX-series equipment
Maintain optical consistency across the microscope fleet
Preserve manufacturer warranty protections
Support existing service contracts and maintenance protocols
Require no retraining due to platform change
Non-OEM or alternate-brand equipment would:
Disrupt standardized diagnostic workflow
Introduce optical variability affecting diagnostic consistency
Invalidate manufacturer warranties
Require retraining of cytotechnologists and pathologists
Undermine fleet uniformity and serviceability
Warranty:
Equipment shall include the manufacturer s standard warranty covering optical, mechanical, and illumination systems for a minimum of one (1) year.
3. BACKGROUND
The Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System (VANEOHS) has an immediate requirement for the procurement of two (2) brand name Evident (formerly Olympus) BX43-1-3 cytology microscopes, inclusive of the True Color LED light source compatible with BX43F, BX46F, and BX63F platforms, and all required Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components and accessories necessary for full clinical activation and use.
The requested microscopes are additional units to the currently deployed Evident BX-series microscopes within the Cytology Section of Pathology & Laboratory Management Services (PALMS). The laboratory s diagnostic workflows, digital imaging systems, standardized operating procedures, educational protocols, and preventative maintenance programs are fully based upon the Evident BX-series platform.
The Cytology laboratory s diagnostic workflows, digital imaging systems, standardized operating procedures, educational platforms, and preventative maintenance programs are built upon the BX-series architecture.
The Cytology Section performs high-resolution visualization and evaluation of:
Cellular morphology
Cytological abnormalities
Microbiological organisms
Inflammatory processes
Neoplastic pathologies
These diagnostic evaluations are mission-critical to accurate, timely, and actionable patient diagnoses.
This acquisition is required to maintain full operational capacity, mitigate diagnostic backlog, maximize utilization of existing Government-owned assets, and ensure uninterrupted cytopathology services.
4. SCOPE
The Contractor shall provide two (2) new, current production BX43-1-3 microscopes, inclusive of the True Color LED light source and all requested and associated OEM components, accessories, modules, assemblies, and consumables required for immediate clinical deployment within the Cytology Section. The Contractor shall provide on-site installation, configuration, and operational verification of all microscopes and associated OEM components at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Pathology & Laboratory Management Services Cytology Section. Installation shall include full assembly, alignment of optical components, calibration of the illumination system, verification of mechanical stage functionality, confirmation of imaging integration (if applicable), and validation of overall system performance for clinical diagnostic use. All equipment shall be fully operational and ready for immediate patient care application upon completion of installation. Any deficiencies identified during installation or inspection shall be corrected by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government prior to final acceptance.
The microscopes and components shall meet or exceed the following operational, optical, interoperability, and performance requirements:
If you are interested and can provide the sought-out supplies/services, please provide the requested information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, DUNS number, and size of business pursuant to the following questions:
Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)
Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? If not, is your company considered small under a related NAICS code?
Are you the manufacturer or distributor of the items being referenced above (or equivalent product/solution)? What is the manufacturing country of origin of these items?
If you are a large business, do you have any designated distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of Contact and size status (if available).
If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above (or an equivalent solution), do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified?
Does your company have an FSS contract with GSA or the NAC or are you a contract holder with NASA SEWP or any other federal contract? If so, please provide the contract type and number.
If you are an FSS GSA/NAC or NASA SEWP contract holder or other federal contract holder, are the referenced items/solutions you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract?
Please provide general pricing of your products/solution for market research purposes.
Please submit your capabilities in regard to the salient characteristics being provided and any information pertaining to brand name or equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes.
No re-manufactures or gray market items will be acceptable. Vendor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM.
SUBMISSION
Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to kevin.peeples@va.gov. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than August 20, 2026, at 4:00pm EST, (Eastern Standard Time). If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this request for information. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.
