Attachment 1 Purchase Description.pdf

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

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose: The purpose of this requirementis to solve the protein structure by single particle cryoEM. This requires a cryo-plunger to freeze the protein sample onto the cryo-grid with vitiried ice containing our desired protein sample.

2. Background Information and Objective: The Vitrification Robot is a fully PC-controlled device for vitrification (= rapid cooling) of aqueous samples. Minimal, yet essential, training is required when operating the instrument for research purposes in a laboratory environment. The process of plunging, blotting and vitrification is fully automated upon placing a vial in the chamber and setting up the ethane holder.

Operation is strictly controlled by dedicated hardware and software, implying that parameters and the results are reproducible. This enables a high throughput of vitrified samples, with an easy and straightforward control of the vitrification process. The parameters to be influenced are: temperature, humidity, the number of blots, and a number of critical time settings. The instrument will consistently produce specimens for cryo-electron microscopy. Research can now rely on specimen preparation allowing the investigator to concentrate on structural studies of the specimen.

3. Generic Name of Product: Mechanical cryo-plunger for sample preparation for cryoEM

4. Purchase Description: We will need a cryo-plunger that could produce a controllable and reproducible ice condition on EM grid.

5. Salient characteristics The cryo-plunger requires a specific condition with controllable humidity, temperature, blotting force and blotting time.

Instrument Control The Vitrification Robot control software runs under the Linux operating system. Specific instrument control and operational parameters setup are done through a Graphical User Interface which is controlled through a touch screen and/or with a mechanical foot-pedal switch.

Sample Application Small sample volumes can be applied manually through a small side port on either side of the climate chamber allowing access to a pipette. Both application time and wait time (time between application and blotting) are software controlled and can be set through the Graphical User Interface.

Blotting Device Excess fluid is removed from the grid by (repeatedly) blotting with filter paper on rotating foam pads. Both the number of blotting actions (max. 16 times for one grid) and the duration of blotting (blot time) are software controlled and can be set through the Graphical User Interface. Longitudinal grid positioning (“blot offset”) as well as the wait time between blotting and vitrification (“drain time”) is user definable.

Vitrification Process Automated shutter control allows for an instant and smooth injection of the sample grid into the container with liquid ethane and/or propane. A lift for the container brings the coolant as close as possible to the shutter to ensure optimal vitrification.

There is parallel coupling between lowering of the coolant container and the position of the frozen grid remaining inside the coolant. This minimizes any possible contamination prior to the sample transfer into a storage box or cryo holder. An anti-contamination ring that floats on top of the liquid nitrogen further prevents grid contamination during the semi-automated grid transfer from the liquid ethane towards the liquid nitrogen.

Additional Accessories The Vitrification Robot is standard delivered with a foot-pedal switch, two pairs of tweezers, filter paper, an ethane container, a circular grid box and touch screen pen.

Technical specifications Weight 31 kg Dimensions (L x W x H) 413 x 260 x 890 mm Power supply (voltage) 110 - 230 V @ 50 - 60 Hz Fuse 4 AT (110 V USA) 2 AT (230 V Europe) Power cable 90 - 250 V Operating parameters Working Temperature 4 - 60 °C (at an ambient temperature range between 18 - 25 °C) Peltier controlled heating/cooling Relative Humidity Optimized for operation at 90% - 100% RH (no condensation at RH < 85%) Ultrasonically controlled humidification

6. Quantity: 1 Cryo-plunger Verification Robot System

7. Delivery Installation and Training:

The Contractor shall deliver the equipment to Building 10 at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland within 180 days after receipt of order. The equipment shall be delivered and installed between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm EST, Monday through Friday. Delivery must be Freight on Board (FOB) Destination and include inside delivery. The equipment shall be delivered and installed in coordination with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the time the equipment is ready to be shipped.

The Contractor shall provide on-site training within 30 days after equipment installation.

In total, the Contractor shall deliver, install, and provide training on the system within 120 days after receipt of order.

8. Other Requirements The Contractor shall provide an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified technician to perform the setup and installation of the equipment.

Warranty - The Contractor shall warrant that all computer equipment (computer, monitor) will be free from defects for a period of at least one (1) year from the date of installation, inspection by the Government, and acceptance. The Contractor shall further warrant that all optical and mechanical components will be free from defects for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of installation, inspection and acceptance by the government. Warranty service shall include trouble-shooting capabilities based on complete knowledge of the entire system. Warranty shall not include routine or periodic maintenance services.