Statement of Need-IFCB_Redacted.pdf

Statement of Need IT Procurement

McLane Research Laboratory- Imaging Flow Cytobot

NOAA/NMFS/AFSC/ABL

Jeanette Gann 12 April, 2024

Purpose: Purchase an Imaging Flow Cytobot (IFCB) for analysis of phytoplankton communities in the field.

Scope or Mission: I would like to purchase an imaging flow cytobot (IFCB), to broaden our sampling capabilities across multiple platforms in Alaska’s Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) for assessments of phytoplankton community composition, and further hone the Alaska annotated phytoplankton image library for increasing accuracy of AI/Machine learning capabilities. The need to understand how changes in phytoplankton communities relate to the health and abundance of fisheries is growing, and this instrument is now in high demand across multiple platforms for general phytoplankton community composition in addition to identification of harmful algal species (HABs). The IFCB uses a combination of flow cytometric and video technology to capture high resolution images of suspended particles. The IFCB will be deployed across a variety of platforms at-sea, in addition to deployment at the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute to analyze samples collected both locally, and preserved samples collected elsewhere. The IFCB will provide efficient data on phytoplankton taxa for many years.

Efficient means of identification is paramount, as our understanding of bottom-up ecosystem effects due to changes at the base of the food web increase with climate change. This includes a potential increase in harmful algal bloom events due to rising temperatures.

Technical Specifications

McLane Imaging Flow Cytobot. This IFCB is unique in its construction, abilities, and applications and is not broadly duplicated with multiple commercial brand options. Additionally, the McLane IFCB, is being used for field work at the AFSC in addition to multiple other agencies including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (with whom we regularly collaborate).

Adding this same technology allows for easier collaboration and consistency across platforms and institutions as this instrument is quickly becoming a standard in phytoplankton taxonomic assessments. Furthermore, we are in the process of developing a model to analyze the images from the IFCB, which encompasses the file types specific to this instrument.

Delivery Schedule: Anticipated by November, 2024 (instruments made to order, so delivery timing varies)