1-Purchase Description_SS_amplifiers_reviseZMK.pdf

Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The purpose of this requirement is to acquire the electrophysiological equipment (amplifiers and digitizers) to be used for examining the cellular excitability of neurons located in the midbrain dopamine system and basal ganglia.

2. Background Information and Objective:

Research in the Cellular Neurophysiology Section focuses on circuit and cellular properties of neurons located in the midbrain dopamine system and basal ganglia. As a major part of our research, we are interested in the physiology of dopamine neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) that undergo selective cell death in Parkinson’s patients. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how synaptic and intrinsic conductances expressed on these neurons (particulary calcium permeable conductances, ie voltage gated calcium channels and glutamate activated receptors) differ among subpopulations dopamine neurons. The hope that this information may provide insight to why SNc dopamine neurons are particularly vulnerable in Parkinson’s disease. Our goal is to identify novel physiological and genetic markers in single SNc dopamine neurons which may be useful in defining subpopulations of these neurons in a meaningful way.

In order to study the action potential firing properties and physiology of dopamine system neurons, our lab uses electrophysiological approaches. Using this approach allows us to have direct access to the activity of neurons and to have very precise control over the experimental parameters. In order to record the electrical activity of these neurons, we will need to use high-precision amplifiers that allow us to accurately measure submillivolt changes in the membrane potential of cells. In addition, this activity will be recorded on computers using digitizers.

3. Generic Name of Product:

Purchase amplifiers and digitizers for use in electrophysiology experiments

4. Brand Name Product Information:

Molecular Devices Multiclamp 700B, Quantity 2 Molecular Devices Digidata 1550B4, Quantity 2 PClamp software

5. Salient characteristics

Amplifiers

The NINDS Cellular Neurophysiology Section requires two (2) amplifiers that meet the following requirements:

• The system must have external trigger command or userprogrammable voltage threshold for rapid, automatic mode-switching between current and voltage-clamp and a means of detecting current or voltage oscillations and automatically disabling or intelligently reducing compensation settings to protect the cell from damage.

• The system must be able to automatically injects a compensatory current over a user-defined time course.

• The system must also include a dual headstage system to record simultaneously in two independent channels that integrate both current-to-voltage and voltage-following circuitry.

• The system must also have computer control software that providing automation of pipette offset, fast/slow electrode capacitance compensation, whole-cell capacitance compensation, series resistance correction, pipette capacitance neutralization and bridge balance.

Digitizers

The NINDS Cellular Neurophysiology Section also requires two (2) digitizers that meet the following requirements:

• The system must be compatible with pClamp software that is used for acquisition of electrophysiology.

• The system must be able to sample at 500 kHz per channel.

• The system must have a humsilencer that eliminates 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise pattern associated with high-frequency line harmonics.

• The system must be low-noise data acquisition system plus 4 channels humsilencer adaptive noise cancellation

6. Warranty:

The Contractor shall warrant that that the Equipment will be free from defects for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of installation, inspection by the Government, and acceptance.

7. Delivery Date:

The contractor shall deliver and install the required equipment within six (6) months after receipt of order.

8. Delivery Requirements:

The Contractor shall deliver the required equipment in coordination with the COR.

Delivery must be FOB Destination and must include inside delivery. This system will be delivered to Building 35 on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) main campus.

Coordination of delivery will be performed with the COR at the time the equipment is ready to be shipped. The equipment shall be delivered between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Bethesda, MD local prevailing time, Monday through Friday.

Cellular Neurophysiology Section Building 35 35 Convent Dr, Rm 3C-1002 Bethesda, MD 20814