Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University & Woodland Aves., Philadelphia, PA 19104

Q -- SAMPLE PROCESSOR DUE 010496 POC Contracting Officer, Janet Mason, (215)823-4658, Additional Contact, John W. Fogarty, (215)823-5872 VAMC Philadelphia intends to negotiate with BioWhittaker, Inc., 8830 Biggs Ford Road, Walkersville, MD. 21793 on a sole source basis. This agency has a requirement for a sample processor to handle infectious and autoimmune disease testing. The following specifications will be required: 1) Ability to diagnose clinical results using a microplate immunoassay technology. 2) Built-in microplate washer separate from sampling probe. 3) Capable of processing a minimum of 96 sample per assay plate including calibrators. 4) Independent reagent and sample pumps to insure reagent integrity. 5) Liquid level sensing capability by sample probe to ensure adequate specimen has been taken. 6) Capable of running up to 6 independent or screen assays per run. 7) Built-in shaking function to speed incubation and enhance precision. 8) Sample tube size from 11.5mm to 17mm and can vary tube sizes in each run. 9) Adjustable volume dispense from reagent pumps, 10uL to 100uL. 10) All operating and vendor specific software will be included. 11) Computer is to be IBM compatible. 12) All maintenance and quality control are to be pre-programmed into software. 13) Small footprint and lightweight to minimize bench space required. 14) Instrument will have the ability to run the following microplate assays: Rubella, CMV, Herpes, Toxoplasma, Chlamydia, Measles, Varicella, Mycoplasma, Mumps, Lyme, H. Pylori, Legionella, Epstein Barr and Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen. Autoimmune markers to include: SSA, SSB, RNP, Sm, RF, Scl-70, Jo-1, Histones, dsDNA, as well as an autoimmune screen. No solicitation document exists. Request for such a document will be considered nonresponsive. Interested parties must submit a capabilities statement, including detailed pricing information that delineates the ability to meet the stated requirement. If no written affirmative response is received within forty five (45) days from the date of this notice, award will be made to BioWhittaker, Inc. No telephone request will be honored. All requests and information must be in writing. See numbered Note 22. (0333)

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