Description - 1.2 - Statement of Requirements
The proposed instrument is a full spectrum flow cytometer which is a critical piece of infrastructure required to analyze cells or particles in liquid suspension by means of light scatter and full spectrum fluorescence detection upon excitation by laser light sources. This piece of equipment will be complementary to existing conventional flow cytometers in the University of Ottawa’s Flow Cytometry Core Facility.
General Description:
The flow cytometry analyzer will detect light scatter (from both forward and side directions) and full spectrum fluorescence emissions. Importantly, this will allow for the immunophenotyping and quantification of cell and particle populations as identified through fluorescence and light scatter parameters. This system should have the capacity to support detection of cells and particles in sizes ranging from that of erythrocytes to megakaryocytes through means of light scatter and/or fluorescence.
• The cytometer should be functionally optimized for analysis of cells and not cell sorting. All specifications and requirements as defined in Appendix A and B should be met upon installation of the instrument.
• Software for data acquisition and a separate copy of software for data analysis with capacity for analysis and display of spectral data to be installed on a computer workstation that is not the computer used for acquisition
• This equipment will be placed in a biosafety level 2 (BSL2) lab at the University of Ottawa in Roger Guidon Hall, Room 3111. Please refer to Annex 1 for pictures and floor plan.
The specifications found in APPENDIX A - PART 1: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION COMPLIANCE contained in this RFP are the mandatory minimum requirements for the full spectrum flow cytometer.
1. Instrument must have the following parameters
1.1. Instrument must have 4 spatially separated laser light sources of fixed alignment with the following wavelengths (+/-2nm): 405 nm, 488 nm, 561nm, 640nm.
1.2. Fluorescence detection off of each laser for each fluorophore must span the range of the emissions spectrum of the fluorophore.
1.3. Instrument and workstation must fit within the allotted space :26.75” x 60”. Any justification must include first the dimensions and weight for the height, width, and depth of the flow cytometer and second the recommended working space for the operation of the flow cytometer, including minimum clearance around the 3-dimensional space of the flow cytometer for access of areas required for service and maintenance
2. Software for Acquisition & Analysis
2.1. Data generated from acquisition software must be in FCS format (3.1 and/or 3.0) and compatible for analysis with third party flow cytometry analysis software, specifically FlowJo.
2.2. A separate license for software for analysis that is capable of spectral unmixing, as well as analysis and display of full spectrum data must be provided.
2.3. Must provide support options for facility users for analysis software use and issues.
2.4. Acquisition software must have integrated functionality for autofluorescence subtraction.
2.5. Acquisition software must have integrated functionality specifically to perform spectral unmixing as part of the acquisition workflow.
3. Operations and Maintenance
3.1. Must provide at minimum 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
4. Utilities
4.1. The entire system and its components must be compatible with standard Canadian power distribution.
4. 2. All electrical components must have CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certification or accepted equivalent as per Electrical Safety Authority Recognized Certification Mark at the following link: https://www.esasafe.com/electricalproducts/marks. Otherwise the cost of inspection and certification must be covered by the vendor.
