Answers to Questions_Confocal Microscope.docx

IFB 25-35 Biological Confocal Microscope Questions & Responses

1. Can you specify lasers needed?

0. Page 7, Section 5: Detailed Specifications, 3. Laser – at least 6 lasers, i. VIS laser and ii. NIR laser

0. Why I am asking: Lasers have a significant impact on the capabilities of a microscope. To ensure that the microscope I submit for bid is going to meet the imaging needs of the researchers it is essential that the laser wavelengths be more specific.

0. For example, we offer 10 individual lasers.

2. 405nm (for blue dyes like DAPI)

2. 445nm (for cyan dyes like CFP)

2. 488nm (for green dyes like GFP and Alexa Fluor 488)

2. 514nm (for yellow dyes like YFP)

2. 561nm (for red dyes like Cy3 and TRITC)

2. 594nm (for red dyes like Alexa Fluor 594)

2. 640nm (for far red dyes like Cy5 and Alexa Fluor 640)

2. 685nm (for NIR dyes like Cy5.5 and Alexa Fluor 680)

2. 730nm (for NIR dyes like Cy7)

2. 785nm (for NIR dyes like Cy7.5)

Answer:

405,445,488,514,561,640, 685nm,785 nm configurations will be preferred, please include the cost for the other lasers as additional accessories in the quote.

1. Can you specify objectives needed?

1. Page 7, Section 5: Detailed Specifications, 4. Objectives: at least 6 – 4X – 100X

1. Why I am asking: As with lasers, objectives have a significant impact on the capabilities of a microscope. Our company sells more than 150 objectives in the range indicated. To ensure the microscope meets the imaging needs of the researchers can you provide more information about the objectives needed?

1. The essential specifications to clarify are what immersion medium, what magnification in that immersion medium and any special imaging needs (see example below)

2. For example

0. Air objectives

0. These tend to come at magnifications from 4X – 40X.

0. Great for imaging large areas and long-term imaging (>12 hours)

0. Below are examples of air objectives:

2. 4X

2. 10X

2. 20X

2. 40X

0. Immersion oil objectives

1. These tend to come in magnifications from 25X – 100X.

1. Great for high resolution imaging (not for long-term imaging)

1. Below are examples of immersion oil objectives:

2. 25XO

2. 40XO

2. 60XO

2. 100XO

0. Silicone oil objectives

2. These tend to come in magnifications from 25X – 100X

2. Great for deep imaging (>150um), high resolution imaging, live sample imaging and long term imaging more than 12 hours.

2. Below are examples of silicone oil objectives:

2. 25XS

2. 30XS

2. 40XS

2. 60XS

2. 100XS

Answer:

Air- 4X, 10X, 20X, 40X Multi-immersion- 25X and Silicone oil – 25XS, 60XS

0. Silicone gel objective

3. Available at 25X

3. Great for imaging large areas, live imaging and long-term imaging (greater than 12 hours) without the mess of oil.

3. Below are examples of silicone gel objectives:

2. 25XS gel objective and gel pads

Answer: 25XS gel objective and gel pads will be preferred

0. Special imaging needs

4. Can you specify a depth or depth range needed for imaging?

0. Every objective has a Working Distance (WD). This value indicates how far into a sample the objective can focus. If the sample is 1mm thick then only very specific objectives can meet this imaging need.

0. For example, “Objective that can image up to XXXum” would be helpful.

4. Live imaging and long term imaging (>12 hours)

1. Do researchers need to image a sample overnight or greater than 12 hours? Do they need to image live samples (such as live cells or live organisms)?

Answer:

Vendor should include base model objectives for less than 1mm (micron range). Prices of objectives for imaging 1mm and above samples sizes should be included in the additional accessories part of the quote.

Yes! live imaging and long-term imaging (>12) capability will be preferred.

1. Clarification needed for “Temperature” specification.

2. Page 7, Section 5: Detailed Specifications, 2. Scanner, vii. Temperature: ≤ 0°C to 40°C

2. Can you please clarify what “Temperature: ≤ 0°C to 40°C” means?

1. Does “Temperature: ≤ 0°C to 40°C” indicate a need for a stage top incubator for live sample imaging within this temperature range?

Answer:

Temperature: ≤ 0°C to 40°C means equipment should be operational with those environmental conditions.

Vendor can include price for stage top incubator to the accessories part of the quote.

1. Does it need to be based on an upright or inverted microscope platform?

An inverted frame will be preferred

1. What are the minimum specs of the six objectives needed, including numerical aperture and working distance for each?

Answer:

Air/Dry 4X – WD = range 12mm – 14mm (anything within), numerical aperture – within range = 0.13 – 0.20 10X – WD = 3mm – 10mm, numerical aperture = 0.30 – 0.45 20X - WD = 0.6mm – 2mm, numerical aperture = 0.40 – 0.9 40X - WD = 0.15mm – 0.6mm, numerical aperture = 0.65– 0.95 Vendor should specify the options available for other media.

1. What are the specs of the motorized stage (movement and encoders)?

1. What are the detailed specs of the computer (RAM, Storage, Graphics Card, etc)?

128GB – 256GB DDR5 RAM, 1.5TB - 2TB SSD, RTX A4500 GPU 20GB or better.