101301-HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-SBSS-75N95019Q00060_Purchase_Description.pdf

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

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) requires a custom designed Automated Cell Culture Processing System, which is an important component of our efforts to systematically analyze induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, we have been manually processing our IPSCs for smaller scale projects but in order to increase the throughput of our data we are looking to upgrade to an automated system.

2. Background Information and Objective:

Automated Cell Culture Processing Systems mimic the manual cell culture process to maintain and expand multiple cell lines in a range of T-flask formats. The production of cells in large quantities and in consistent quality is a critical step for the implementation of cell-based high throughput screens (HTS). Current cell production for HTS is done manually, which leads to suboptimal batch-to-batch consistency, is a contamination-prone process, it has limited scalability, and lacks the needed industrial scale reproducibility. This leads to inconsistencies in the results of the screens, reduced productivity and increased cost. This is particularly challenging when using stem cell and stem cell-derived cells because of the long duration of cultures, frequent media exchange steps to introduce differentiation media, and the high number of steps in the processing protocols. Automated tissue culture enables cell production with greater reproducibility and productivity. Flexible processing capabilities of our IPSCs will enable the provision of larger quantities of cells daily for cell-based assays while simultaneously growing smaller volumes of different cell lines for basic research and development activities.

3. Generic Name of Product: Automated Cell Culture Processing System

4. Purchase Description:

Automated Cell Culture Processing System that includes all salient characteristics (see below).

5. Salient Characteristics: All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with Government specifications. At a minimum, all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. The Contractor shall guarantee that all required materials shall be delivered in immediate usable and acceptable condition.

The Contractor must be able to provide the following specifications:

1. The system must be capable of culturing multiple cell lines with cell line specific protocols.

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

2. The system must be able to operate unattended, enabling more effective use of valuable resources.

3. The system must be able to culture delicate or complex cell lines such as stem cells and primary cells.

4. The system must be capable of maintaining stock cell lines for multiple projects.

5. The system must facilitate the output of cells to an external collection vessel allowing multiple flasks to be to be harvested and pooled without restricting the volume of cell suspension that can be collected.

6. The system must be equipped with a cooled reagent storage system (6°C / 43°F) to enable low volume dispensing (100 - 1,000μL) for up to 6 reagents such as growth factors and transfection mixes to flasks.

7. The system must be able to send system updates via email.

8. The system must automatically back up valuable information to remote media.

9. The system must allow users to generate custom formatted reports.

10. The system must be able to generate assay-ready plates for cell-based screening and assay development. It must be capable of processing 6, 24, 96 and 384-well standard plates and also 24 and 96-well insert plates.

11. The system must be equipped with a barcode reader on the plating module to track plates during operation.

12. The system must enable direct imaging and counting of cells in flasks, confluence measurement and enhanced QA of cells.

13. The system must allow lifecycle management support including operator training, preventative maintenance, and system upgrades.

Installation, training and delivery shall be performed by the contractor.

6. Quantity: 1 (One) Automated Cell Culture Processing System

7. Delivery Date: 1 year or earlier after receipt of completed purchase order (ARO)

8. Period of Performance: Not applicable.

9. Option(s): Not applicable.