Invitation to Bid I.
Statement of Purpose The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) has recently secured funding aimed at increasing the capacity of the Huntsville forensic DNA laboratory. The State of Alabama is utilizing this funding to procure an integrated robotic system for the forensic DNA liquid handling functions associated with DNA Quantitation, normalization and peR amplification setup. The addition of the integrated robotic system will increase the overall efficiency of the DNA Laboratory by allowing a greater number of samples to be processed through DNA analysis and electrophoresis. The resultant increase in the overall infrastructure of the Huntsville DNA Laboratory through the implementation of this system will contribute signiticantly to the overall goal of reducing the DNA backlog of forensic casework samples. This invitation to bid has been issued by ADFS to obtain one (1) completely integrated robotic system for the forensic DNA liquid handling applications required in routine DNA casework. Qualified vendors will submit bids that accurately detail how they meet each of the technical specifications outlined below, in addition to the submission of their overall bid cost. The failure of any vendor to include any information that is requested within this ITB may lead to rejection of the bid for non-responsiveness. By responding to this proposal a vendor attests that it is capable of shipping the integrated robotic system to the Huntsville Regional DNA Laboratory of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences within 30 days of an award.
The Minimum Specificatious for the Integrated Robotic System Associated with DNA Quautitatiou, Normalization, and peR Amplification are as follows:
1. The automated peR Assay setup component must have the ability to normalize final DNA template concentrations based on impOlting data directly from LIMS/Excel systems and setup intermediate dilutions plates if needed. 2. The automated peR Assay setup component must have the ability to prepare at least four separate master mixes in a single run.
3. The automated PCR Assay setup component must have the ability to integrate UV lamp and HEP A tllter in to the hood of the robotic system. 4. The automated PCR Assay setup component must incorporate an integrated hood to protect the pipetting arm during movement and facilitate a controlled and shielded environment for forensic samples. 5. The automated PCR Assay setup component must have a pipettor designed with a helical lead screw allowing for minimal dead air volume. 6. The automated PCR Assay setup component must contain operating software that is easily upgradeable, free of charge to the State of Alabama, without any licensing fees associated.
7. The automated PCR Assay setup component must contain a pipettor that utilizes liquid level sensing through the use of conductive tips but must also be able to run with non-conductive tips. 8. The automated PCR Assay setup component must have a small laboratory toot print, no larger than S33x626x443 (mm, WxDxH). 9. The automated PCR Assay setup component must have the ability to operate in the pi petting range of lul-200ul, with a C.V. < 1% (volumes ?: SuI). 10. The automated PCR Assay setup component must allow for pipetting into standard formats of96 well plates and 384 well plates. 11. The automated PCR Assay setup component must employ a pipettor which has multi-eject functionality for repeat pipetting. 12. The automated PCR Assay setup's software component must be able to support commonly used qPCR and Forensic STR-PCR reaction setup protocols. 13. The automated PCR Assay setup component must have the ability for auto height calibration function to set Z height and use Z-head retraction while dispensing. 14. The automated PCR Assay setup's software component must support setup wizards for ease of use in programming such as; automatic standard curve dilution series creation varied from 1:2 to I: 10 fold dilution of forensic DNA samples.
15. The automated PCR Assay setup component Tube/Reagent racks must be made of aluminum and removable for storage and refrigeration. 16. The automated PCR Assay setup's software component must be able to import sample names easily from any existing sample management system and export sample information to any real-time thermal cycling system. 17. The automated PCR Assay setup component must employ a single channel pipetting head capable of pi petting 20-150 ulls; and have a precision CV <1 %, 5-200ul.
The Integrated Robotic System bid price must include service agreements for two (2) years which provide full service coverage for each component of the integrated robotic system, and include a response time for repairs not to exceed 48 hours, or 2 business days. Costs for service visits are fully covered including travel, labor, and parts. The agreement also includes one annual preventive maintenance visit, with costs for labor and parts covered. The instrumentation service specialist must have received specialized training, possess the necessary tools, required service instrumentation, controlled proprietary stock parts and be qualified to service each of the integrated robotic systems components.
Please extend an Invitation to Bid to the following qualified vendor: Deborah Burch QIAGEN Inc. 27220 Turnberry Lrule, Suite 200 Valencia, CA 91355 USA Direct: (661) 702-3691 Toll Free: (800) 426-8157 ext. 23691 Fax: (661) 702-3891
[email protected]
