65 -- EQUIPMENT FOR RESEARCH DEPARTMENT-FUSION ALPHA SYSTEM

Notice Date

July 23, 2001

Contracting Office

Contracting Officer (90C), DVA Medical Center, 3701 Loop Road East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

ZIP Code

35404

Solicitation Number

521-1175-1465

Response Due

August 8, 2002

Point of Contact

Sylvia Harris -- (205) 554-2000, ext. 2639: Dr. Marianne Egan (205) 933-8101, ext. 6431

E-Mail Address

Re: 521-1175-1465 (sylvia.harris@med.va.gov)

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial item prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented, with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Written quotations will not be issued and each contractor is expected to respond on his/her letterhead with all required product information. RFQ 521-1175-1465 is hereby assigned to this procurement and shall be referenced on all correspondence relating to this acquisition. This RFQ is issued using Simplified Acquisition Procedures and incorporates all provisions and clauses as those in effect through FAC 97-27 and VAAR 97-1. The DVA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Packard Instrument Company, 800 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450 for a Fusion Alpha System. The following are the minimum specifications for the purchase of a Fusion Alpha System. REQUIREMENTS: The following are the minimum specifications for the purchase of the microplate reader system. The system must be able to measure ALPHA and BRET assays. It must be designed to measure top and bottom fluorescence intensity, time-resolved fluorescence, absorbance, luminescence, and AlphaScreen (superscript) technologies in a single instrument. It must be engineered with a modular platform so it can easily adapt for virtually unlimited growth potential as additional read modes are developed. Additional features MUST INCLUDE: Capability to measure top reading fluorescence intensity, bottom reading fluorescence intensity, FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer), TRF (Time-Resolved Fluorescence), HTRF (superscript (Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence), absorbance, enhanced flash luminescence, glow luminescence, dual luminescence, and AlphaScreen (Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay) chemistries. Auto-Z Automatic Read Height Adjustment to optimize the vertical position of the microplate relative to the optics for maximum sensitivity and minimal crosstalk. The sample changer must move in the Z direction so that the optics remains stationary and no manual adjustments are required. The analyzer must be able to accommodate plates from 10.5 to 25 mm in height. Charge Integration Circuitry must be used to extend the linear dynamic range to accommodate high output samples. Results must be reported in RL (relative light units) for luminescence and fluorescence and OD (optical density) for absorbance. Automatic Light Source Normalization must be used to insure accurate results within each plate and with batches of plates. A reference photo diode must be used to monitor the light source fluctuation and normalize the response while reading plates. Automatic Optical Switch must be used to set up the correct optical channel without user intervention. The plate must be positioned so that the detector is directly above the sample for amximyum sensitivity in all read modes. There must be a removable Eight-Position Excitation Filter Wheel and Six-Position Emission Filter Wheel to provide unlimited wavelength combinations. The pull out, snap in filter wheels must be able to be removed and replaced quickly and easily by the user through access panels. There must be external 40-plate Stackers to enable maximum sample throughput. It must allow unattended reading of up to 61,440 samples in approximately four hours. There must be an on-board calibration source to insure proper function within the detection module. The detection module must be tested against the calibration source before each batch of plates is read. It must have PMT Saturation Protection Circuitry to automatically lower the PMT High voltage when saturation occurs to protect the PMT from damage. It must have a Single Fiber Optic Detector to perform high efficiency detection of samples in low volume and standard white 96-384-, and 1536-well micro plates. It must have a High Energy Laser Diode Excitation Source to provide high-energy input with a short pulse time. The laser pulse must initiate a strong chemical cascade, resulting in signal amplification in a closely proximate acceptor bead. It must have Time-Resolved Measurement, using a 20 ms delay, to eliminate short-lived background emissions form assay components, plates, and optics for maximum signal to noise. The contractor shall provide training sessions to include one (1) training sessions of approximately one hour for all personnel in Research Service who will use instrument. Each session will include "hands on" instruction, literature, training manuals, and reference guides. The contractor shall provide a CD ROM will install instructions and tutorial to the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). Contractor is responsible for the installation and set-up of the instrument. Vendor shall provide all training to all personnel who will be using the system. All interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposal. A determination by the Contracting Officer not to compete this proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether the sources exist necessary for a competitive procurement. The delivery date will be no later than 30 days after award of contract. Contract award is subject to the availability of funds. The following provisions apply to this acquisition:52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; and 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. The following clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items. Quotes are due by COB (4:30 P.M. CST) August 8, 2001, and may be faxed to Sylvia Harris at (205) 554-2894, Phone: (205) 554-2000, extension 2639. NAIC 339111.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010725/65SOL004.HTM (W-204 SN50S6V5)