Attachment No. 1 - Statement of Work.pdf

Statement of Work Project: Acquisition of analyzer that allows enumeration of viable cells and enumeration of specific single cell populations based on fluorescence labeling

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work:

Acquisition of analyzer that allows enumeration of viable cells and enumeration of specific single cell populations based on fluorescence labeling.

2.0 Background:

The research unit requires a system that can enumerate eukaryotic cells in a suspension created from various tissues and animal species for downstream assays such as cell culture, metabolic assays, PCR, RNA sequencing, cryopreservation, etc. The system must determine the number of viable cells in a sample in minimal time and with limited input and interpretation from the operator (high level of automation). Some cell enumeration/viability instruments or methods require operator identification of live and total cells with laborious calculations required to determine percent viability and concentration. Other non-laser fluorescence-based methods have trouble identifying small cells and often mislabel small cells as debris or dead cells. Additionally, large footprint instruments minimize the usefulness of the cell counter when working with biological hazardous samples that require cell counting in a biological safety cabinet. Thus, an instrument that is small, portable, capable of accurately counting a wide range of live eukaryotic cells with minimal sample and operator input is required. In the future, a fluorescent based system may be used to rapidly identify sample purity (percent positive for individual cell populations) and viability to select highest quality samples for downstream assays such as single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, metabolic assays such as Seahorse.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

1) Instrument must use laser-based fluorescence detection via microcapillary system for detection and enumeration of cells and cell analysis.

2) With maximum accuracy must determine cell counts, cell viability, cell death (apoptosis) and cell cycle with 3 parameter fluorescent-based detection.

3) Instrument must allow for detection of multiple fluorescent colors (minimum 2) as well as forward scatter.

4) Instrument must have rapid processing time once sample is loaded into instrument (< 1 minute per sample is preferred; up to 2 min max).

5) Instrument must report total cells in sample, percent live cells, total live cells, live cells/ml, and total cells/ml with minimal input from operator.

6) Instrument must be small and portable to allow use in a biosafety cabinet (< 15lb, fit in biosafety cabinet (max dimensions of 15in x 15in x 15 in).

7) Instrument must require minimal set up to allow movement within lab and across laboratories as needs arise across unit.

8) Computer system must be built into the instrument to minimize footprint on bench and enhance ability to decontaminate instrument when used in biosafety cabinet.

9) Instrument must operate with a sample volume of a minimum 200ul.

10) Data files must be output in Flow Cytometry Standard (FCS) 3.0 and comma-separated value (CSV) format at a minimum, but instrument should also display results in real time either in summary format or in representative dot plots.

11) Instrument shall have capabilities of detecting eukaryotic cells of multiple sizes (approximately 2-60 um in diameter). Ability to enumerate bacteria is not required.

12) Vendor must offer one-step reagents available (purchased separately) to label cells for enumeration of viable cells and reagents for cell counting and cell viability assessment that will provide absolute cell count and viability data on various cell suspensions. Reagents must differentially stain cells based on permeability to the DNA-binding dyes in the reagent.

13) Instrument must be a new, unused product with minimum one year warranty.

14) Qty: 1 complete unit.

4.0 Deliverables/Schedule:

Complete system and assay kit to be delivered to the following address within 60 days from date of award.

5.0 Place of Delivery: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010

6.0 Evaluation Factors: Technical acceptability is more important than price.