Tender Reference Number JHI/13/01
Tender for supply, installation, training and maintenance of a point-scanning laser confocal unit on an upright research microscope.
The James Hutton Instituteintends to purchase a point scanning confocal microscope to be used in imaging applications across a broad range of plant science research programmes. The confocal unit should be attached to a high quality, upright, research microscope and be capable of high resolution detection and separation of multiple fluorophores / fluorochromes from plant autofluorescence. Consideration will be given to the quality and robustness of the technology / instrumentation, technical specification, speed of imaging, applicability to our samples, quality and value of warranty, maintenance and technical support, flexibility and upgradeability. The James Hutton InstituteImaging Technologies Group is a multi-userfacility and therefore the confocal software must be of proven robustness, flexibility and ease-of use. If multiple bids for this tender obtain the same score, on-site demonstrations of the equipment on our samples will be used to select the optimal system for our purposes.
A detailed technical specification is outlined below. Bids for this tender should address all points below, providing details of how each bid meets the essential requirements and desirable options. Bids should include options for multi-year warranties. However, if finances are limiting, the ability to buy years of cover subsequent to the equipment purchase would be advantageous.
The bids will be scored on a balance of 10% financial specification and 90% technical specification being attributed to the overall score. All essential requirements will be scored on a pass/fail basis; tenders that fail to meet the essential requirements will not be considered further. The desirable criteria stated below are listed in approximate descending importance within each category.
All tenders are to be sent for the attention of Beth Corcoran at the James Hutton Institute and must be clearly marked with the tender reference number.
Description / Essential / Desirable (Score)Confocal Laser Scanning Unit – Hardware
A1 / System must be specifically designed for confocal imaging and include high sensitivity detectors (minimal photon loss). / E
A2 / Flexible, multi-channel imaging. / E
A3 / Transmitted light detector. / E
A4 / A range of laser excitation lines spread across the 400-650nm spectrum, to include 405, 488, 514 and 561nm (or similar). / E
A5 / Stable and variable laser power (provision of reproducible laser power while scanning and between experiments). / E
A6 / Dedicated vibration-free table. / E
A7 / User-determined detection windows (wavelengths). / E
A8 / Simultaneous and line-by-line sequential image acquisition of multi-colour images. / E
A9 / Provision of line averaging. / E
A10 / Variable pinhole diameters (automatic and user-adjustable). / E
A11 / Proven track record in robustness and quality of the hardware, software and maintenance / replacement cover provided. / E
A12 / Rapid line scanning speed while maintaining highimage quality. Please state range of speeds possible in relation to image format / size. / E
A13 / Confocal scan head with a minimum of three confocal detectors. / E
A14 / Provisionof high sensitivity GaAsP detectors in positions suitable for the efficient collection of signal from GFP or RFP in combination with other fluorophores. Please indicate the number and position relative to other detectors. / D (25)
A15 / Provision of a rapid scanning modality (rapid frame imaging in multiple channels). Please state speed in relation to image format / size. / D (20)
A16 / Ability to perform bi-directional, line-by-line sequential imaging of 3 channels at 512x512 pixels / D (15)
A17 / Automated brightness compensation during acquisition of z-stacks to prevent loss of signal at depth. / D (5)
A18 / Ability to perform FRET, FRAP, FLIP, co-localisation and ratio experiments. / D (6)
A19 / Easy calibration and user maintenance requirements. / D (6)
A20 / Ability to rotate scan direction. / D (5)
A21 / Effective suppression of laser reflection for all laser lines. / D (5)
A22 / Standard imaging acquisition formats (8 bit, 12 bit and 16 bit-depths). / D (5)
Confocal Laser Scanning Unit – Computer & Software
B1 / Software for integrated microscope control and image acquisition. / E
B2 / High quality, large-format monitor(s). / E
B3 / High specification computer. / E
B4 / Proven track record in flexibility, reliability and robustness of the provided software. / E
B5 / Provision of system software for use on at least 1 offline, remote computer terminals for processing and analysis and on multiple terminals (>5) for image manipulation e.g. z-stack projection, intensity adjustment and image export. Please indcate the number of licenses / terminals included. / D (20)
B6 / Software module(s) for time series applications (including multi-positional time and z-stacking). / D (10)
B7 / Inclusion of offline and/or online deconvolution software. / D (10)
B8 / User-specific and generic software profiles to accommodate beginner and expert users while helping facility managers. / D (6)
B9 / Export of quantified data to spreadsheet packages (e.g. MS Excel or equivalent). / D (5)
B10 / Provision of software to perform FRAP, FRET, FLIP, colocalisation and ratio experiments with quantification. / D (5)
B11 / Ability to control a camera from within the main software application. / D (5)
Motorised Upright Research Microscope (including brightfieldand fluorescence imaging).
C1 / High quality upright research microscope with a combination of fluorescence and transmitted brightfield imaging. / E
C2 / Provision of an appropriate set of lenses to include 10x dry objective and water dipping lenses in the range 20x to 63x. All objectives should be suitable for confocal applications and provision of high NA lenses is desirable. / E
C3 / Minimum 5-position objective turret. / E
C4 / Motorised and highly accurate focus (z-drive). / E
C5 / Ability to allow high-resolution, accurate confocal z-stack capture to a depth of approx 200µm. / E
C6 / Fluorescence reflector turret containing filters to separate a selection of standard dyes / fluorophores (minimum requirements: filters suitable for DAPI, aniline blue, CFP,GFP, YFP and RFP, plus a GFP/RFP (dual filter), to minimize chlorophyll autofluorescence). / E
C7 / Fluorescent,self-aligning, light source suitable for a selection of standard dyes / fluorophores (suitable for the above fluorophores). / E
C8 / Reflector turret with at least 5 positions. / E
C9 / Suitable port for digital camera. / E
C10 / Highly accurate and motorised X/Y stage (and suitable software) to enable tile-scanning and mark-and-find applications. / D (20)
Service contract, warranty, on-going support and training
D1 / Provision of a high quality service contract with easy access to engineers. / E
D2 / Provision of ongoing support and training as required. Please indicate number of training sessions included. / D (15)
D3 / Ability to purchase years of service contract subsequent to purchase of equipment. Please indicate level and number of years of service contract / D (10)
Financial Specification
E1 / Financial viability. / 22
Total: / 220
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