Acquisition of a beckman coulter cytoflex nano flow cytometer system, including analyzer, computer and monitor, startup reagents, service contract, and application support.

The University of New Mexico is seeking approval for a sole-source acquisition of a Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX Nano flow cytometer system, with proposals due August 26, 2026. The procurement is restricted to Beckman Coulter Life Sciences; no competitive bidding is contemplated.

The scope includes the CytoFLEX Nano analyzer unit, integrated computer and monitor, startup reagents, a service contract, and application support. The system will be installed in the UNM Flow Cytometry Shared Resource to establish nanoscale flow cytometry capability for analyzing extracellular vesicles, viral particles, engineered nanoparticles, and micro- or nanoplastics—applications that exceed the analytical range of the facility's existing conventional flow cytometers. The equipment will serve multiple investigators across the UNM Health Sciences Center.

The total contract amount is $190,304.10 for a one-time capital purchase. The sole-source justification rests on two grounds: the CytoFLEX Nano is a proprietary instrument available exclusively from Beckman Coulter with no third-party distribution, and the acquisition maintains platform continuity with existing Beckman Coulter CytoFLEX instruments already operational in the Shared Resource, minimizing training requirements and operational complexity. The purchasing justification notes that alternative approaches to nanoscale particle characterization were reviewed during planning but did not provide equivalent functionality—specifically, the combination of dedicated nanoscale flow cytometry, multiparameter fluorescence detection, multiple side-scatter measurements, and compatibility with existing CytoFLEX infrastructure and workflows. The vendor is Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Indianapolis, Indiana.