The USDA, ARS, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California has a requirement for a fusion cell sorter with biosafety cabinet. The cell sorter requires no user optical alignment, laser alignment or laser focus to reduce instrument set-up time and operator interaction in the biosafety cabinet. The flow cytometry lens system must have a gel-coupled cuvette that collects 4 times as much excitation light compared to stream-in-air systems thus improving sensitivity in signal detection. Sensitivity minimum resolution is less than 118MESF on FITC and 34MESF on PE at 90KhZ and70psi using rainbow beads. The cell sorter must be installed in NSF-49 certified biosafety cabinetry with ULPA filtration system for live cell sorting. The redundant aerosol management system must function in event of blower motor failure. The cell sorter shall incorporate octagon shaped collection optics that increase the quality and quantity of the fluorescent signal. The fiber coupled from collection lens. The cell sorter shall include 405nm,488 nm, 561nm and 640nm lasers; cell sorter must use digital technology from the preamp forward. The digital electronics must use mathematical calculation s in place of analog log amps to provide more linear quantitative measurements. Cell sorter must have the ability to threshold on multiple parameters simultaneously; this provides a power tool for detecting small particles or samples with large amounts of debris. Cell sorter must have the ability to ratio any signal from any laser; must include a system for identifying clusters in scatter plots using smoothed polygons with optimal boundaries; must have a cloning unit that can have unique sort regions for different wells within the same 96-well plate with the ability to chill or heat the 96-well tray; must have index sorting capability to identify sorted cells on scatter plot; must employ automatic sort setup technology that allows the operator to monitor side streams while sorting. This provides for a faster sort set-up providing the operator with a visual display of the sort set-up. Cell sorter must have the ability to collect Height, Area and Width parameters simultaneously on all parameters. The cell sorter can utilize 6 solid state diode lasers in various wavelengths and outputs lasers and up to 18 colors plus forward and side scatter. Cell sorter must utilize software that acquires and analyses in bi-exponential display format with FCS 2.0 or 3.0 export formatting of analyzed data; must have proven instrument set-up and quality control program that provides an automated QC software package that allows for automation in tracking instrumentation performance. System monitors signal to noise ratio, minimal noise levels for all PMTs and parameters, and allows for feedback on the Q of the laser. The cell sorter must have automated compensation networks between all lasers and all fluoresces parameters; must self regulate during sorting and have the ability to shut down sample flow, sheath flow, and cover sorted materials in presence of gross shift in sorting parameters; flow sorter with video-regulated droplet spacing; must have BSC performance conditions so that when operated under normal and stressed conditions (mimicking a clog) with fewer than 3 Glo Germ particles identified outside the automated cell deposition unit sort collection chamber. The cell sorter must be equipped with a compatible biological safety cabinet to prevent aerosol contamination of personnel and work environment. The cell sorter biosafety cabinet dimensions cannot exceed 86.5 inches in height, 50.5 inches in width, and 35.6-inches in depth. For space accommodations, the footprint of the instrument (cell sorter and biosafety cabinet) will be a consideration of the award. The cell sorter and BSC must include site assembly/start-up/commissioning, user manuals, warranties and site training. Identify shipping/freight costs, and any other required fees.

This solicitation incorporates the following commercial FAR clauses by reference 52.212-1, 52.212-2, 52.212-3, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5. The following applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: 52.222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, 52.232-36 (FAR clauses may be obtained at www.acquisition.gov). Interested vendors are encouraged to submit proposals including descriptive literature (refer to FAR 52.214.21) of their product to Clarice Dixson, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710 or by e-mail to [email protected] no later than 3:00PM PDST August 25, 2014.

 

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