Download Capillary Electrophoresis System

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements
IRMM
Technical specifications for the supply,
Installation and maintenance of a
Capillary Electrophoresis System
Including all related services and supplies
IRMM / Ref. 2010-113-ic – technical specifications – capillary electrophoresis - p. 1 of 6
1. Introduction
IRMM is one of the seven scientific research institutes of the Joint Research Centre
(JRC) of the European Commission.
The mission of IRMM is the development of a common and reliable European
measurement system to support EC policy objectives.
IRMM has four scientific departments and two supporting departments. IRMM
employs some 330 , including 220 EC officials, the others being subdivided into
visitors, post-doctoral fellows and temporary contract holders. Women represent
approximately 30% of the staff. IRMM comprises analytical laboratories, facilities for
the production of reference materials, radionucleide metrology and two accelerators
for physical research. IRMM is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for
measurement science.
2. Defining the market
A contract notice was published in the Official Journal no. 2010/S 179-272275.
3. Subject of the market
To carry out its mission, the IRMM requires the supply of an analytical platform for
capillary electrophoresis techniques. The field of applications is the clinical chemistry
and proteomics research, namely the identification and quantitation of proteins of
interest (protein isoform profiling, and assessment of the purity of protein
preparations).
Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) is a well-established technique to separate and
quantify proteins or other macromolecules (such as DNA, RNA) from complex
mixtures. It also allowed the measurement of anions in solutions which can be
interesting for example to determine the protein binding to metallic cations. The CE
system is a computer assisted technique that regulates the current and/or the
pressure which control the flow rate of a solvent (the electrolyte) through a specific
column (the capillary). Separated and purified proteins are then analysed by UV
detection at a specific wavelength or by their absorption spectrum (detection within a
certain range of wavelengths by the mean of a diode array detector) or by
fluorescence induced by irradiation with a laser light. Depending on the types of
separation preferred, inner part of the capillary can be modified.
CE can be performed both for identification purposes (molecular weight, ionisation
potential) as well as for quantification.
IRMM / Ref. 2010-113-ic – technical specifications – capillary electrophoresis - p. 2 of 6
4. Required characteristics
Minimum requirements
a)
Yes
No
Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) system
Capillary electrophoresis platform for protein and
peptide identification and quantification where the
configuration can be modified with automation kits and
upgradable.
The characteristics shall be the following:

For our specific purposes, the system shall be
capable of performing different techniques in
particular for our applications :
 Capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF)
 Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Molecular
Weight separation (SDS-MW)

Integrated UV detector that can operate at
typical wavelengths for proteins (200, 214,
254, 280 nm)

Integrated Diode Array detector that can
operate in the range from 190 to 600 nm.

Integrated
Laser
Induced
Detector with laser at 488 nm

The system must be software monitored (see
section d).

Electrophoretic conditions : Voltage : up to 30
kV, current : up to 300 µA.

Sample temperature control : 4-60 °C

Capillary temperature control : 10-60 °C

Voltage: 100-120 / 220-240 V

Injection modes shall include pressure and
electrokinetic
Fluorescent
IRMM / Ref. 2010-113-ic – technical specifications – capillary electrophoresis - p. 3 of 6
Page ref in
tender (if
applicable)
Yes
b)
No
CE-MS coupling
The CE system is intended to be coupled to
mass spectrometry detection:

The compatibility with the two MS present in
our laboratory (Applied Biosystem 4000
QTrap and ThermoScientific XT Vantage)
shall be demonstrated.
c) Consumables
Consumables kit shall include at least:
d)

Sample trays

Sample vials : 500 vials

Buffer trays

Buffer vials and caps

Capillary cassettes

A set of capillaries corresponding to our main
applications (protein analysis with or without MS
coupling).

Capillary cutter
Analysis software
Analysis software capable of fast and efficient control
of all the monitored parameters during protein
measurement which shall be able to generate highquality analysis results.
The software shall enable a real-time control of the CE
system based on a dedicated controller interface with
a computer based graphical user interface where
methods and operation sequences could be fully
programmed by the end user.
IRMM / Ref. 2010-113-ic – technical specifications – capillary electrophoresis - p. 4 of 6
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tender (if
applicable)
Yes
No
Functions to be included:

Real-time flow scheme.

Display of all monitor values.

Method Logbook for full documentation.

Method start protocol.

Note books for pre-run, run, and post-run
notes.

Calibration curves calculation with post-run
quantification of unknown samples.

Method handling with full flexibility.

Backup of the different methods.
e)
Workstation for handling
A PC controller that enables easy communication with
the workstation and peripheral devices via an external
USB communicator. The controller must include the
Windows XP operating system or equivalent, the
Capillary Electrophoresis application software, a
QWERTY keyboard, a mouse, and a high-resolution
flat-panel monitor.
f)
Warranty
The candidate's offer shall include a warranty period of
at least 24 months after delivery and acceptance of the
requested equipments.
g)
Installation, operation qualification and
training
The supplier shall install the equipment at the
premises of the IRMM and commission the instrument
(operational qualification, including a report and
validation of the software).
IRMM / Ref. 2010-113-ic – technical specifications – capillary electrophoresis - p. 5 of 6
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tender (if
applicable)
Yes
No
Page ref in
tender (if
applicable)
The supplier shall provide at least 1 day training at the
premises of the IRMM. The price and description of
the training has to be included in the offer. The training
has to cover basic instrument maintenance as well as
basic and advanced operation and software features.
The training has to be given on site for at least 6
people. The training sessions have to be arranged by
mutual agreement between the trainer and the
trainees. The training has to be given in the English
language.
h)
Maintenance service contract
A preventive maintenance contract for 1 year,
maximum 4 times extendable. The contract must cover
preventive maintenance and operation qualification
with at least one visit per year. The preventive
maintenance service will start after the expiry of the
warranty period.
i)
Application notes
Documentation on the successful use of the CE
system for protein characterisation and quantification.
5. Submitting an offer to the Commission
The tenderer assures that he has proved the completeness of the content of this
tender and that it is neither incomplete nor ambiguous.
By signature, the tenderer admits that he acknowledges this tender as legally
binding in case a Contract is awarded.
..........................................................,........................................
Place
Date
..................................................................................................................
The tenderer
(Stamp and signature)
IRMM / Ref. 2010-113-ic – technical specifications – capillary electrophoresis - p. 6 of 6