U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268

66 -- SCAN RDI MICROBIOLOGY SYSTEM SOL 99-104 POC Mike Hennessey 513-487-2032 E-MAIL: EPA Contracts Management Division -- Cincinnati, hennessey.mike@epamail.epa.gov. EPA has determined that the scan RDI microbiology system offered by Chemunex is the only system available that can meet EPA's minimum requirements. The system will be used in Cryptosporidium studies and will allow direct detection, enumeration and identification of oocysts. The system meets the following performance requirements: The system shall have a fixed cytometry detection capability using a 25 mm black filter, a fluorescent dye marker and laser to detect as few as one cryptosporidium oocyst per sample volume During laser scanning the total surface of the analysis membrane shall be scanned by a laser spot of 6 m diameter at a wavelength of 488 nm. The individual scan lines of the laser spot shall be 2.2 m apart to ensure overlapping of the previous scan line. During the scan of the fixed membrane the laser shall scan every section twice During laser scanning, the system shall detect fluorescent events using at least two photomultiplier tubes and data collected shall be analyzed on line via discrimination software. The discrimination software shall have the ability to detect all fluorescent events and filter out unwanted signals through the use of color fingerprinting ratios, fluorescent intensity and particle size. The system shall complete scanning of the membrane surface within three minutes The system shall be capable of screening water concentrates for the presence of cryptosporidium oocyst within three hours or less The system shall be capable of detection and enumeration of cryptosporidium oocysts within 5 minutes of introducing a sample to the system. The system shall maintain sample integrity to allow optical verification of results using an epifluorescent microscope. The system shall allow for result verifications via an automated microscope stage linked directly with the system. Microscopic examination must be semi-automated enabling detection and enumeration and visual verification of cryptosporidium oocysts within 10 minutes of introducing the sample to the system. The system shall require no specialized scientific training or experience to operate the analyzer and confirm the presence of microorganisms. The system shall have the ability to detect a single oocyst in naturally contaminated water samples. The system must be compatible with US EPA method 1622 for sample concentration allowing rapid sample processing. The system must eliminate the possibility that fields can be overlooked during visual microscopic inspection. The system shall perform direct counts on and enable microscopic examination of organisms, not by-products of metabolism or other indirect indicators of the presence of an organism. The system shall be applicable for detection of: -- Cryptosporidium oocyst detection within three hours of sample preparation with a lower detection limit of once cell -- Viable microorganisms including yeast, mold, vegetative and non-vegetative microorganisms, within 90 minutes of sampling with a lower detection limit of once cell -- Spores, stressed and fastidious organisms within 90 minutes of sampling with a lower detection limit of once cell No solicitation will be issued as a result of this notice. Any firm that feels that it has a system that meets the minumum performance reuqirments identified above must provide documentation to support the claim no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. Posted 03/10/99 (W-SN306888). (0069)

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