Attachment 1 - Minimum Specifications.pdf

Specifications Document

Amino Acid Analyzer

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work:

A requirement has been made for the purchase of an amino acid analyzer at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center (GFHNRC). The GFHNRC does not currently have an analyzer that performs amino acid analysis, which is required for upcoming research studies. This analyzer will be used for numerous studies to determine the amino acid composition of study diets, and to study the effects these diets have on human physiology via blood or urine analysis. If we do not get an amino acid analyzer, the center will have to pay for the samples to be analyzed elsewhere which will delay results, and it may cost the center more money in the long run. Samples for analysis include serum, plasma, urine, animal muscle tissue, and food homogenates.

2.0 Background:

Amino acids are organic molecules that bind together to form proteins. Amino acids are vital to many bodily processes such as providing energy, making hormones and neurotransmitters, building muscle, tissue growth and repair, immune system function, and digestion. The human body makes many amino acids, however, there are nine essential amino acids that the body does not make. These essential amino acids must be consumed through food.

Amino acid analyzers use cation exchange chromatography to detect the presence of amino acids and their derivatives in physiological and food samples. The amino acids and their derivatives are separated based on their net charge and the pKa of their ionized groups, then they are quantified. The amino acid profile of the sample is presented on a chromatogram.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

A. Minimum must have specifications:

a. Must be able to analyze serum, plasma, urine, muscle tissue, and food homogenates.

b. Must detect the following amino acids:

i. Alanine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Valine

c. Other amino acid derivates of interest include:

i. α-Aminoadipic acid, α-Aminobutyric acid, β-alanine, β-aminoisobutyric acid, δ-Aminolevulinic acid, γ-Aminobutyric acid, AlloIsoleucine, Amino Ethyl Cysteine, Ammonia, Anserine, Argininosuccinic acid, Carnosine, Citrulline, Cystathionine, Cystine, Cysteine-homocysteine mixed disulfide, Ethanolamine, 1-Methyl Histidine, 3-Methyl Histidine, Homocitrulline, Homocysteine, Homocystine, Hydroxylysine, Hydroxyproline, Methionine sulfone, NorLeucine, Ornithine, Pipecolic Acid, Phenethylamine, Phosphoethanolamine, Phosphoserine, Saccharopine, Sarcosine, Sulfocysteine, Taurine, Urea

d. Must have photometric detection between 440-570nm.

i. The ninhydrin method is preferred.

e. Must have a limit of detection of 9 pmoles or lower.

f. Must have a reproducibility of at least 1.5% RSD and a retention time of at least 0.5% RSD.

g. Must have an autosampler with the capacity of at least 84 samples.

h. Must be able to run continuously without intervention.

i. Must be able to provide an amino acid profile for a sample within 2 hours.

j. Must have a cooling system.

k. Must fit on a benchtop and have a small footprint.

i. Maximum of 3 feet wide x 2 feet deep x 2 feet high, preferred.

ii. Preferably under 200 lbs.

l. Must have a wide range of injection volumes (i.e. 1µL-1000µL)

m. Must come with at least a 1-year warranty.

n. Must have the option to purchase a service contract after the warranty period that includes the following:

i. Annual Preventative maintenance and calibration visits

ii. Repair Visits

iii. Remote hardware and software support

iv. Phone support

v. Parts Discount

o. Service engineers and phone/remote video service must be available in the U.S.

p. Service must be available Monday-Friday, 8-5 CST; must be onsite for repairs within 2 business days.

q. Purchase of the analyzer must include onsite training.

i. Online training available in addition to the onsite training is preferred.

r. Purchase of the analyzer must include a PC with data analysis software and data analysis training.

s. Purchase of the analyzer must include a column, a physiological standard, a buffer start-up kit, a reagent start-up kit, and an accessory kit.

t. Quotes for standards, buffers, reagents, and other necessary consumables should be provided prior to purchase of the analyzer.

i. These items will be purchased on an on-going basis, so the cost of these items should be a consideration before the purchase of an analyzer.

u. Buffers must be able to be stored at room temperature due to storage space.

v. It is preferred that the analyzer use nitrogen gas, or no gas required for use.

w. Must have a simple sample preparation process with no requirement for the purchase of additional equipment.