Automated Micro Plate Reader

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks quotation for one automated microplate reader, with offers due September 21 and questions due September 15. The procurement is unrestricted and issued under FAR Part 12 (Commercial Items) as a combined synopsis and Request for Quotation; Molecular Devices SpectraMax Mini is named as the only model believed to meet the agency's needs, though brand-name-or-equal submissions are permitted.

Place of performance is Lauderdale, Minnesota (Saint Paul, at 1991 Upper Buford Circle, 411 Borlaug Hall). The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The system must quantify protein concentrations in alfalfa and plant material and fit within 40 centimeters width by 33 centimeters depth by 35 centimeters height due to benchtop constraints. Required specifications include multi-mode detection (absorbance 200–1,000 nanometers, fluorescence, and luminescence) with separate light paths; capacity to read 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384-well microplates plus up to 4 cuvettes; 2-microliter micro-volume capability; long-life Xenon flash lamp with 5-nanometer bandpass; thermal regulation from 4 degrees Celsius above ambient to 45 degrees Celsius; read times of 27 seconds for 96-well and 81 seconds for 384-well plates in speed mode; linear, orbital, and double orbital shaker features; dedicated software with multiple standard curves, 4–5 parameter curve fitting, Boolean operations, and 100% Microsoft Excel compatibility; and standard 110-volt US power. The contractor must provide on-site installation and familiarization, minimum one-year hardware and onsite support by OEM-certified personnel, minimum one-year technical support access, and minimum ten-year guaranteed instrument use and support from delivery date. Delivery is required within 60 days of order to the Saint Paul location. Evaluation applies lowest-price-technically-acceptable criteria, with past performance rated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.