GENERAL:
The Research Facilities Department at the University Health Network is issuing this ACAN and will administer the ACAN procedure set forth herein for the benefit of University Health Network (the “Hospital”).
The Hospital intends to award a Contract to Axion Biosystems. for the purchase of one (1) Maestro Pro Multielectrode Array (MEA) system and associated accessories (the “Equipment”), including associated warranties and support services.
BACKGROUND DETAILS:
The Krembil Institute at UHN plans to purchase a Maestro Pro Multielectrode Array (MEA) system that includes recording hardware, proprietary software for data acquisition and analysis, a computer system specifically configured for the recording hardware and software, and proprietary microplates.
This equipment is specialized to record electrical activity on populations of electro-active cells (eg. brain neurons) in a cell culture format. This allows measurements of brain cell function in a research laboratory. This equipment is also specialized to record electrical activity of cells in different cell culture plate formats (from 12, 24, 48 and 96 well plates). With the 96 well format being absolutuely required for our research. There is no other equipment on the market that is able to perform this function on different cell culture plate formats on a single machine.
The Hospital intends to purchase one (1) Maestro Pro Multielectrode Array (MEA) system and associated accessories (the “Equipment”), including associated warranties and support services, from Axion Biosystems, 1819 Peachtree Road, Suite 350, Atlanta, GA 30309.
REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:
Maestro Hardware/Recording Device
The MEA system must be
- Low-profile, self-contained system
- Small footprint: 280 x 452 x 225 mm (W x D x H)
- Come with a validated computer system and monitor
- Able to record from 768 channels simultaneously
- Able to read 12-, 24-, 48-, and 96 –well formats in the one system
- Able to read all electrodes on all plate types simultaneously, including 96 well format
- Have a sampling rate of 12.5kHz and a sample bandwidth of 0.01Hz-5kHz
- Fully-integrated gas control, adjustable through the software 0-100%, with no external modules needed
- Fully-integrated heater, adjustable through the software between ambient temperature and 45°C
- Barcode reader built into the system
- Able to produce Local Extracellular Action Potentials (LEAP) on any, and every, electrode in a plate
- Can detect APD 30, APD 50, APD 90 and triangulation and will have more precise arrhythmia detection than traditional field potential duration (FPD) measurements
- Includes electrical stimulation on any of the 768 recording electrodes throughout plate with:
- Simultaneous recording
- Stimulus waveform of user design
- Selectable stimulus mode: Constant Current or Constant Voltage
- Built in electrical safety features to prevent damage to cells
The MEA system Software must:
• Create a Visual Activity Map for real-time plate-wide feedback of action potential activity
• control plate temperature, CO2 and electrode stimulation per electrode
• Comes included with multiple data analysis tools for automatic calculations including a: Metric Plotting Tool and Neural Metric Tool
The MEA system Multiwell plates must:
• be ANSI -compliant microplate format in 12, 24, 48 or 96 well plates
• be capable of 768 simultaneously-recording electrodes per plate
• have 30-50uM electrode size in 12, 24, 48 and 96 well formats- necessary for neuronal recording
• have low noise electrodes composed of nanoporous platinum or nano-textured gold
• have 96-well plate with 96 active wells with 8 electrodes/well
• have 48-well plate with 48 active wells with 16 electrodes/well
• have 24-well plate with 48 active wells with 16 electrodes/well
• have 12-well plate with 12 active wells with 64 electrodes/well
The MEA system Optogenetics must:
• be compatible with the Lumos optogenetic device for concurrent optical stimulation and recording
Bids must include all costs for shipping, delivery, uncrating, unpacking, onsite
installation and training.
Equipment must be CSA (or equivalent) approved. Full list of equivalent certifications can be found here:
http://www.esasafe.com/electricalproducts/marks
The standard manufacturer’s warranty coverage must be at least one (1) year or more as defined by the manufacturer. Coverage must include: onsite warranty services which include parts, labour, travel expenses.
The bidder must supply extended warranty identical to standard manufacturer’s warranty for a minimum of 3 additional years. Please provide optional pricing for up to 3 years.
STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified to provide the solution described must submit a response/statement of capabilities via email to the bid administrator identified in this notice before 2:00.00 PM (EST) March 11, 2020.
The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the requirements/qualifications and will be considered solely for the purpose of deciding whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Information provided will be used by the Hospital for technical evaluation purposes only and is not to be construed as a competitive solicitation
WHAT IS AN ADVANCE CONTACT AWARD NOTICE:
An ACAN allows hospitals and purchasing organizations to post a notice indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a contract to a pre-identified supplier. If no other supplier submits on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities that meet the requirements set out in this ACAN, the competitive requirements of the contracting procedures have been met.
If other potential suppliers submit statements of capabilities prior to the deadline noted above, and meet the requirements set out in this ACAN, Plexxus on behalf of its applicable member will take the necessary steps to conduct a competitive process for the acquisition of the Equipment set out here in.
INTENDED SUPPLIER: Axion Biosystems
CONTRACT PERIOD: Four (4) years
This will be a one-time estimated purchase of (1) Maestro Pro Multielectrode Array (MEA) system and associated accessories (the “Equipment”), including associated warranties and support services.
The Hospital retain the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.
All Questions must be submitted before 2:00:00 PM (EST) March 6, 2020 via email to the ACAN administrator.
ACAN Coordinator:
Name: Emma Allister
Title: Project manager
Address: 700 University Ave. 10th floor, 1056
Toronto ON M5G 1Z5
Phone #: 416 886 0318
E-mail address: emma.allister@uhnresearch.ca
