B08.02 W9132T25Q1AMD.pdf

Description of Requirement Controllable Vacuum Pump for a Microfluidic Device (CoVPM)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) located in Champaign, Illinois requires a Controllable Vacuum Pump for a Microfluidic Device (CoVPM). The 6.1 project “Volatile Compound Emission Signatures as Sentinels of Permafrost Thaw in Arctic Environments" examines the different volatiles emitted from different states of permafrost thaw. We plan to examine chemical release from soil bacterial cells, so the Vacuum Pump will help us to control the visualization of the cells under a fluorescent confocal microscope. In the project, we proposed visualizing and measuring the particle preparation steps including bacterial cells on the microscope using the CoVPM.

The equipment proposed must meet or exceed the following requirements:

• A controllable vacuum pump consisting of Microfluidic Flow Controller module, Metal Tube Cap

Reservoir/ Pressurized Reservoir Holder, Low Pressure Generator, Push-Pull module, as well as a Vacuum Pump. Description of requirements are detailed below:

• Vacuum Pump: A vacuum source allowing the aspiration and the supply of any negative pressure channel between 0 and -1000mbar, for microfluidic applications.

• Microfluidic Flow Controller module: A Microfluidic flow controller is needed for pressure-based flow control with a maximum supply pressure of 1400 mbar. The module must be able to support at a minimum, 3 channels. The microfluidic flow controller should support reservoir sizes from 2 mL to 15mL laboratory tubes and must be compatible with biological samples, aqueous solutions, and organic solvents.

• Metal Tube Cap Reservoir/Reservoir Holder (2ml and 15mL): A complete set of easy-to-use and refillable microfluidic reservoirs for long-term experiments is needed. Reservoirs must be compatible with multiple pressure-based experiments in parallel, with tube caps allowing for pressurization of standard lab vials (1.5 mL and 2 mL Eppendorf, 15 mL and 50 mL Falcon) for microfluidic applications. The microfluidic reservoirs should ensure maximum sealing, avoiding air leakage even when working at high pressure (ex: 7 bar).

• Microfluidic Low-Pressure Generator: A lab bench-scale compressed air solution, which can produce high-quality air with no maintenance for all types of microfluidic experiments. This low-pressure generator should supply pressure to a pressure controlling device for positive ranges up to 2 bar with a max airflow rate of at least 3 L/min.

• Push-Pull Module: A pressure-based controller with the ability to deliver finely regulated negative and positive pressure through a single outlet over the range of -800 to +1000 mbar.

Must be compatible with biological samples, aqueous solutions, and organic solvents.

• Misc.: Additional accessories may be needed to link the individual modules such as a PC communication module, power supply kit, connection kit for metal tube cap reservoir, tubing and connection kit.

• Must be compatible with our Nikon IX-81 Fluorescent Microscope.

Evaluation Procedures:

Award will be based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

Shipping and Delivery:

Delivery required no later than 21 days after award of contract, to the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign IL, 61822.

Shipping shall be included in the proposal provided.