NIH, National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute, Procurement Section, Contracts Operations Branch, Rockledge Building (RKL2), Room 6143, 6701 ROCKLEDGE DR MSC 7902, BETHESDA MD 20892-7902

66 -- SPECTROFLUOROMETER SOL NHLBI-HL-P-95-105 POC Kathleen J. Van Steelant, Contract Specialist, (301) 435-0366. It is the intent of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to acquire a spectrofluorometer for the Laboratory of Biochemistry in Bethesda, Maryland. The spectrofluorometer must meet the following minimum specifications: 1) The spectrofluorometer shall have high sensitivity and accuracy in measuring fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of small volumes of biopolymers in dilute solutions. In addition, isothermal measurements of multiple samples as well as temperature ramping capabilities with fast time response must be possible; 2) Sensitivity with a signal-to-noise ratio of 750:1 for the Raman band of water; 3) The spectrofluorometer shall run under OS/2 Operating System to make it compatible with other systems in the laboratory. In addition, the OS/2 Operating System shall allow separate and distinct record keeping, instrument settings and data management for multiple samples and users in the laboratory. 4) Software-selectable PMT control settings in conjunction with real-time display of the PMT readings during data acquisition. 5) Auxiliary inputs to allow user-supplied thermistor and pH sensors incorporation for monitoring, recording, and storing these readings with spectra during temperature-ramp and pH jump experiments; 6) Automated shutters and a programmable four-position, thermostatable, motor-driven sample holder (2-directional) with magnetic stirring at variable speeds in all cells; 7) Excitation and emission monochromators with a minimum step size of 0.2 nm with wavelength repeatability of q0.25 nm; 8) Fast data collection capability (more than one data point per 10 milliseconds for time-trace acquisition); 9) Variable focal plane condensing lens to enable the excitation beam to be focussed on the center of microcuvettes which often are required for work in the Laboratory of Biochemistry; 10) Automated polarization accessory system which utilizes calcite prism polarizers for both excitation and emission in the UV response region (aligned to each other with a precision of r 99.3%), polarizer settings must be accurate and repeatable to 0.1 degrees. This latter specification is particularly important for magic angle measurements. Proposals will be evaluated on the demonstrated understanding of the scope of work as shown by the prospective Contractor's ability to meet the required specifications, demonstrated availability and competence of experienced scientific and other technical personnel, and demonstrated experience in building sensitive and accurate spectrofluorometers. A firm fixed-price type contract will be negotiated for this instrument. Delivery of the spectrofluorometer is anticipated within thirty (30) calendar days after contract award. Tests will be performed to ascertain that the instrument is functional before final acceptance. It is anticipated that Request for Proposal (RFP) Number NHLBI-HL-P-95-105 will be issued on or about July 3, 1995. Copies of the RFP may be obtained by writing to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Contracts Operations Branch, Procurement Section, 6701 Rockledge Drive (RKL2), Room 6143, Mail Stop Code 7902, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Kathleen J. Van Steelant, Contract Specialist. (0166)

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