Sources Sought Notice Optical Microscope
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), specifically the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL), Division of Imaging, Diagnostics, and Software Reliability (DIDSR), is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to identify small business concerns capable of providing an upright bright-field hyperspectral imaging microscope system. This system is required for research supporting the development of bench testing methods for digital pathology devices. Responses are due by April 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
Purpose
This notice serves as market research to identify qualified small businesses that can supply a newly manufactured, fully integrated hyperspectral imaging microscopy system. The goal is to support critical research in digital pathology device evaluation.
Key Requirements
The required system must be an upright, bright-field, transmissive light microscope configured as a hyperspectral imaging platform. Key specifications include:
- Microscope System: Upright, bright-field, transmissive light, hyperspectral imaging platform.
- Stages: Motorized XY stage (for 1"x3" slides) and motorized piezo-based Z stage, both with joystick and software API control (documentation required).
- Autofocus: Independent of camera acquisition.
- Illumination: White light source and compatibility with external fiber optic light guides.
- Objective Turret: Supports two or more objectives, compatible with Zeiss M27-threaded objectives.
- Condenser: Supports Kohler illumination, Numerical Aperture (NA) of 0.55 or greater.
- Camera: One high-resolution, high-speed, high-quantum-efficiency, low-noise camera; optical ports for external cameras.
- Warranty: Minimum one-year service support and warranty upon acceptance.
- Documentation: User manuals, including XY stage, Z stage, and camera APIs.
Delivery of the system is required within six weeks of contract award.
Submission Details
Interested parties should submit a Capability Statement via email to Freshta Javid (Freshta.Javid@fda.hhs.gov). The subject line must be: "Sources Sought – Upright Bright-Field Hyperspectral Imaging Microscope System – CDRH-2026-134025". Capability Statements are limited to 10 pages, excluding cover page and attachments.
Eligibility & Notes
This is a Small Business focused market research effort. Respondents must explicitly state if they can perform at least 51% of the work under a small business set-aside. This is for planning purposes only and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Quotation (RFQ). No reimbursement will be provided for response costs.
Contact Information
Primary Point of Contact: Freshta Javid, freshta.javid@fda.hhs.gov, 1-301-796-0385.