CapIllary Electophoresis - Swift Current, SK

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Nature of Requirements: 

CapIllary Electophoresis - Swift Current, SK

01581-160882/A
Mack, Wayne
Telephone No. - (306) 241-6435 (    )
Fax No. - (306) 975-5397 (    )

To supply one (1) - REFURBISHED Applied Biosystems Inc 3730XL Capillary Electrophoresis system in accordance with the Specifications detailed herein, for Agriculture Canada, Swift Current Research and Development Centre (SCRDC), Swift Current, SK. Delivery is desirable by March 31, 2016.

Background:
In 2003, a sole source procurement of an ABI-3100 Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) Genetic Analyzer needed for DNA fragment analysis in the Marker Assisted Screening (MAS) program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre (SCRDC) was completed (later upgraded to the ABI-3130XL). The instrument was approved for sole source purchase because of several key and necessary features not included on competing instruments: dual 384-well microplate format, 5-color fluorophore detection, one base pair resolution for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection and capillary scalability to increase sample throughput. This equipment, while still functioning, has exceeded its lifecycle and is now prone to breakdowns resulting in costly down time for the MAS program at SCRDC. 

Since 2003, the biotechnology instrumentation landscape has shifted. While the ABI-3130XL has given rise to the higher capacity ABI-3730XL Genetic Analyzer which focuses on improved fragment analysis throughput by incorporating a 96-capillary array and 5 color fluorophore detection , some competing CE manufacturers have tailored their instruments to multiple assays other than fragment analysis such as SDS-PAGE protein separation, isoelectric focusing, carbohydrate analysis, drug analysis and capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE/MS). This has resulted in multidisciplinary instruments that do many things but must trade off important fragment analysis features to do so. Other competing manufacturers have chosen to build fragment analyzers that offer faster analysis andare cheaper to purchase than the ABI-3730XL, but are incapable of detecting the SNP base changes necessary for MAS at SCRDC.

No Substitute Justification:
The ABI 3730XL is the only instrument that has the following combination of operationally required specifications:
1) Dual 384 well-plate format
2) one base pair resolution for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection 
3) 96-capillary array
4) 5-color fluorophore detection

Aside from instrument capabilities, compatibility and operational costs were considered for the requirement as well. As mentioned above, we currently employ an ABI-3130XL Genetic Analyzer in the MAS program at SCRDC. The acquisition of an ABI-3730XL Genetic Analyzer would provide compatibility and reduced operationalcosts in the following areas:

1) Data compatibility - datasets generated on either instrument would be interchangeable. New data generated on the proposed ABI-3730XL would retain the same format and familiarity for scientists downstream as data generated on the current ABI-3130XL. 

The refurbished ABI3730XL Genetic Analyzer will be used to supplement and eventually replace the aging ABI-3130XL Genetic Analyzer.. When the ABI-3130XL inevitably becomes too costly to repair or irreparable, we willneed compatible instrument software to review previously generated results.

2) Consumables - plastics and reagents between the two instruments are compatible. This means less product variety to stock and inventory, translating into reduced labour costs with respect to purchasing and inventorying as well as less product wasted due to shelf life expiry. Often purchasing larger amounts of a particular consumable is subject to discounts. Purchasing like consumables for two instruments would reduce the individual consumable costs.

3) Operation - Assay protocols have already been developed and implemented with the advent of the ABI-3130XL. Since the ABI-3730XL is an upgraded version if this instrument, existing assay protocols can be applied negating theneed for time consuming and costly protocol development and troubleshooting.

4) Ease of use- SCRDC MAS technical staff possess extensive experience and knowledge regarding fragment analysis on the ABI-3130XL. Working with the ABI-3730XL would be asimple extension of this experience and knowledge rather than learning the operation, protocols and software of a completely new instrument.

NAFTA LIMITED TENDERING: NAFTA 1016 2d. for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for existing supplies, services or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services, including software to the extent that the initial procurement of the software was covered by this Chapter;

WTO LIMITED TENDERING: Article XV 1d.  for additional deliveries by the original supplier which are intended either as parts replacement for existing supplies, or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services, or installations where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services5; 

AIT LIMITED TENDERING:

12a. to ensure compatibility with existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such as exclusive licences, copyright and patent rights, or to maintain specialized products that must be maintained by the manufacturer or its representative;

12b.where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and the goods or services can be supplied onlyby aparticular supplier and no alternative or substitute exists; 


Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.