Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 22, 2002 FBO #0110
SOLICITATION NOTICE

65 -- High Pressure Freezing Machine

Notice Date

3/20/2002
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Br., 6120 Executive Blvd. EPS Room 604, Rockville, MD, 20852
 

ZIP Code

20852
 

Solicitation Number

RFQ-NCI-20029-NG
 

Response Due

4/4/2002
 

Archive Date

4/19/2002
 

Point of Contact

Malinda Holdcraft, Purchasing Agent, Phone (301) 402-4509, Fax (301) 402-4513, - Caren Rasmussen, Lead Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 402-4509, Fax (301) 402-4513,
 

E-Mail Address

mh139x@nih.gov, rasmusc@mail.nih.gov
 

Description

The National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Laboratory of Neurobiology (LN) plans to procure a TechnoTrade High Pressure Freezing Machine manufactured by (OEM) BAL-TEC AG of Blazers, Liechtenstein, Germany with TechnoTrade International, 7 Perimeter Road, Manchester, New Hampshire, 03103-3343. The Laboratory of Neurobiology engages in fundamental research on the structural basis of synaptic transmission. New advances make it possible to apply three dimensional image reconstruction techniques, tomography, to electron micrographs of neurons to understand the structure of the post synaptic apparatus. However, the detail provided by tomography shows that conventional preparative techniques produce significant artifacts in the neurons. High pressure freezing which rapidly freezes the specimen at extremely high pressures has been tested and found to prevent these artifacts. Macromolecular structures in neurons are typically so small that they fall within the thickness of an EM section, and therefore are inaccessible for analysis. The information exists in electron micrographs but overlap precludes analysis. However, the new technique of tomography produces images at the molecular level. These images have revealed to the laboratory that at the most detailed level tissues prepared with conventional cross-linking agents or slam freezing exhibit many structural dislocations. High pressure freezing allows tissue to be prepared in which molecular organization is not disrupted. High pressure freezing machine offered by TechnoTrade uniquely fits the needs of this program. The most important element is the specimen holder. Given the pressures needed 2100 Bar (similar to those in the breech of a rifle being fired) the design of the specimen state is difficult, expensive, and critical to success. The HPM-010 holder, in particular, provides the necessary dimension to work with neural tissues 3 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm thick. Furthermore the design of the specimen holder allows flexibility in the type of carrier stage used to hold the specimen, so cell suspensions, monolayers, cultures, and slices of whole tissues can be adapted to the specimen stage. Neural tissues are also very sensitive to handling and anoxia so a specimen stage that can be loaded and inserted into the freezing machine in less than twelve (12) seconds is required. The HPM-010 High Pressure Freezing machine directs liquid nitrogen through three jets directly onto the specimen holder at a pressure of 2100 Bar, producing cooling rates of 50 degrees Celsius/msec. This operation reliably produces ice crystal free specimens in neural tissues up to 0,5 mm thick. Instantaneous monitors on the specimen chamber record both pressure and freezing rates, providing a permanent documentation and verification of each successful experiment. Introduction of the specimen carrier into the machine can be accomplished in seconds, facilitated by a quick action bolt. The console is vibration and noise damped, and fully automated so new specimens can be introduced and frozen in ninety (90) seconds. TechnoTrade International is the only source known to the NINDS Researcher that can provide a high pressure freezing machine of this nature. The most critical feature of this machine, to make it possible to work on neural cells, require that the specimen chamber be able to accept specimens up to 3 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm thick. Also, the holder should be able to be loaded in seconds and should accommodate a range of sizes and shapes especially adapted for particular types of neural tissue. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. The purpose of this request is to purchase a high pressure freezing machine to support the project on the macromolecular organization of the post synaptic density. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The capability statement and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can fully meet the requirements. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 PM EST, (local Washington, D.C. time), on April 4, 2002. If you have any questions, please contact Malinda Holdcraft, Purchasing Agent on (301) 402-4509. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received shall be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. Faxed capability statements will not be accepted. If submitting capability statements, provide one original and three copies.
 

Place of Performance

Address: NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD

Zip Code: 20892

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00045630-W 20020322/020320213153 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

---

| FSG Index  |  This Issue's Index  |  Today's FBO Daily Index Page |