Description
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking information from potential contractors for the provision of fully automated immunochemical (IHC) and In-Situ hybridization (ISH) stainer instrumentation and associated reagents. The contract will be a single vendor award for a Cost Per Test placement of instrumentation and a reagent purchase agreement for the associated reagents. The contractor will be responsible for providing maintenance, training, and support for the equipment. The contract will have a term of 2 years with four one-year options.
Some key features of the required instrumentation include:
* Ability to automate preparation of Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains and In situ Hybridization (ISH)
* Utilize optimized protocols with user-selectable options
* Ability to increase incubation times and change temperatures
* Automate all baking and staining steps for IHC and ISH
* Unit must have short turnaround times and ability to stain STAT slides
* Must have a preload/unload drawer system and hold at least 50 ready-to-use reagent dispensers
* Must process at least 60 slides per run and allow for continuous access and staining of slides overnight
* Ability to manage multiple stainers from one computer and process different protocols simultaneously
* Ability to barcode each slide with chemical and heat-resistant labels
* Ability to heat each slide according to defined protocol
* Ability to use polymer-based detection systems and perform deparaffinization
* Ability to have random access and allow slides to be added and/or reagents to be added once in operation for continuous processing
* Ability to perform different types of antigen retrieval/unmasking on the unit simultaneously
* Ability to perform counterstain of tissue sections on the unit
* Capability of reagent inventory tracking on the unit and producing QC/QA reports
* Unit must have minimal reagent management and maintenance should involve minimal user involvement
* Units with capillary refill technology are preferred and systems with dual staining kits are preferred
* The contractor must provide a continuously stocked inventory of reagents, controls, and supplies required to ensure that patient care operations are not interrupted
* The contractor must provide training for government personnel and maintenance and repair services for the equipment
* The contractor must provide documentation that it has characterized the hazardous nature of all wastes produced by all equipment, devices, reagents, and discharges
* The contractor must provide written instructions and training material to ensure VHA Laboratory staff are trained as needed to properly operate devices with special emphasis to managing and disposing of hazardous waste in accordance with EPA and state requirements