Statement of Need (SON) _BD FACSymphony A5 SE Analyzers.pdf

Statement of Need (SON)/Minimum Technical Requirements BD FACS Symphony A5 SE Analyzers

This statement of need is for the procurement of eight (8) BD FACS Symphony A5 SE Analyzers that are capable of the following.

• Must include 5 lasers in the standard configuration with the potential of adding 4 additional lasers.

o This feature allows the advancement to more parameters, if necessary, without the purchase of new instrumentation, therefore providing a built-in future expansion as experiments expand. At the VRC, this allows for multidimensional cell sorting for cells involved in protective immunity.

• Must contain simultaneous 50 parameter detection of 48 fluorescence markers plus forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) signals. Upgradable to at least 60 parameters with increased laser capability.

o This provides the ability to sort complex cell clusters in 50 parameter space and to match panels currently measured on existing 30 parameter cell analyzers and cell sorters that will be required to sort the same number of parameters (i.e., 48 fluorescence colors plus two physical parameters). At the VRC, this allows for multidimensional cluster cell sorting for cells involved in protective immunity.

• Must include a LED pulser technology or equivalent measurements for Quality Control (QC) by measuring relative background using automated voltage ranging.

o This feature allows for rapid instrument setup and inter and intra instrument comparison, which are required for large research or clinical experiments. This improves more accurate quality control for increased precision and reproducibility of data.

• Must include a high throughput sampler (HTS) robotics.

o This device will allow 96 well plates (and other plate formats) to be used and sampled directly into the BD FACSymphony A5 SE to allow for faster data collection speeds.

o Plates used in processing can be directly used on the HTS and therefore can reduce potential transfer errors.

• Must use high quality photomultiplier tubes (PMT) known as the GaASP and GaA. These detectors are a proven technology and are compatible with our existing instruments and are currently used research cell panels developed in prototype instrument used at the VRC.

Therefore, these detectors are compatible with our existing instruments and previous panel development, requiring minimal impact on existing panels and future panels.

• Requires the use of standard FACS-DIVA software, which is compatible with existing instruments, including the BD-S6 cell sorter. This workflow pipeline is required for continuity of cellular and genetic experiments.

• Can process Flow Cytometry Standard files in version.3.1 or higher for use in the BD-FlowJo data analysis software for standard and multidimensional data analysis.

• Must include a twelve (12) month warranty that will begin upon installation or thirty days after the date of shipment, whichever occurs first.