Norway - Chromatographs - 1105601 UiO Life Sciences user equipment. K931.04.03 MALDI-TOF

Statsbygg constructs the new Life Sciences Building (LVB) for the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Research and South-East Health as the co-contracting authority. The building shall be the workplace for approx. 1,600 employees and 1,600 students. Start up for the excavation and ground work was the second quarter of 2019 and the planned completion is at the end of 2026. Various professional environments shall work multi-disciplinary here to develop new solutions for major challenges within health and sustainability with access to the best and most modern equipment required to carry out world class research, teaching and innovation. Maldi-TOF/TOF-instrument shall be procured for advanced analysis of biomolecules, including proteins, peptides, glycans, lipids and metabolites. The instrument shall cover both research and operational needs at the facility and it must offer high mass resolution (up to 30,000), low ppm mass accuracy and flexible operational modes. The facility has established an integrated infrastructure for mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) based on timsTOF fleX from The User. This platform uses smartbeam 3D laser (10 μm beam focus, 10 kHz operation) and is a fully integrated method, data and work flow structure. The existing method library, sample preparation, sample plates, calibration routines and data processing have been specifically developed for this platform. The new procurement must be directly technically compatible with the existing MSI platform. The requirement for compatibility is objectively justified in the need to continue established methodology and ensure coherent operation, and includes, among other things: - use of the same sample plates and sample handling without adaptors or alternative formats - continuation of established analysis methods without new methodic re-validation - identical or fully interoperable laser technology and collection logic - integration in the existing data infrastructure - direct analysis of data in SCiLS Lab without conversion or use of middle software Missing compatibility will lead to a need for parallel work processes, comprehensive methodical new validation, increased risk of reduced data quality, as well as a need for investments in new sample formats and adaptations of infrastructure. This will involve disproportionate technical and economic consequences, reducing the utilisation of the existing instrument park and breaching the premises for a combined and efficient MSI platform. A technical mapping of available MALDI-TOF/TOF instruments has been carried out from relevant tenderers. The manufacturers ́ specifications and system architecture are assessed against the requirements for MSI performance, laser technology and full system integration. The mapping shows that alternative instruments cannot be integrated in the existing platform without significant methodology and technical changes, and that these therefore do not constitute technically equivalent alternatives. Based on the established infrastructure and the requirement for seamless technical integration, it is considered that only NeofleX from User Nordic AB enables direct transmission of samples between the instruments, continuation of the existing method portfolio without revalidation, use of the same laser technology and full integration into the existing data and analysis platform. The terms for exemptions from competition in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulations (FOA) § 13-4 (b) 2 are therefore considered fulfilled. If any questions or objections, please contact the following gender neutral preferred as soon as possible: Assistant project manager Kristine Milner Carlsen Kristine.milner.carlsen@statsbygg.no the waiting period is 10 days from publication. The contract will be signed shortly after the waiting period expires.