Questions_Amendment_1.docx

1. Is NIST open to using an external robotic arm for the solution or does this need to be a liquid handling only solution?

An external robotic arm would be acceptable as long as the instrument meets all of the requirements in the SOW.

2. What is the required throughput for the system i.e. plates processed per day?

Our throughput requirements are for one 96-well plate at a time. Typical process times for the methods listed in the SOW Line Item 0001 are between 4 hours and 16 hours.

3. Would it be acceptable to have a robotic arm move plates to and from the thermocycler under the control of workflow scheduling software?

Yes, as long as the instrument meets all of the requirements in the SOW.

4. Please define the type of control that you would like to have the software to have over the HEPA containment. Currently the specification only states positive pressure - what other controls would you like to see?

On-Off control and control of airflow speed will be sufficient.

5. Does the HEPA enclosure need to be BL2?

No.

6. Our table tops are powder coated aluminum, will that meet your requirement for inert material? Would you prefer Trespa?

Either powder coated aluminum or Trespa would meet the requirement.

7. Our software would send commands to the liquid handler to run a specified routine on it - is that an acceptable solution assuming you can develop liquid handling methods on the liquid handling software as well?

Yes, as long as the instrument and software meet all of the requirements in the SOW.

8. For the development of the Agencourt DNAdvance method, what constitutes a successful test of the method? Is there a biological result that is required for successful testing?

The method and process is meant to go from a starting material of cells or cell lysate and the successful output would be high recovery of pure DNA. Based on results reported for manual use of the DNAdvance method, we would expect >70% DNA recovery. Success would be determined using secondary assays for DNA quantitation, purity and DNA target recovery. The automated process would be deemed successful if it produces results that are comparable to those obtained with the Agencourt DNAdvance method when run manually.

9. Does the end user want anything other than a span-8 on the liquid handler? 96, 384 well head?

No.

10. What PCR plates are needed? 96, 384, or 1536 well?

96-well.