A Light Sheet Microscope

1. Introduction

This Request for Information (“RFI”) is issued by the University of Ottawa (the “University”) for the purposes of gathering information about the marketplace in order to assist in the determination of future purchasing options or requirements for A Light Sheet Microscope. Participation in this RFI is completely optional and is not a requirement to participate in a potential future RFP.
 

2. Background

Founded in 1848, the University of Ottawa is the largest French-English bilingual university in the world. The University of Ottawa’s aging legacy telephony infrastructure does not meet current or future operational needs. Due to critical components such as end-of-support and prone to failure with extended outages, it cannot support the development and deployment of advanced functionality required as part of any modern Collaboration platform. 
 

3. Format

The format of the University’s discussions with Respondents will be informal via conference or video calls, on a “1=on-1” basis, between each Respondent and the University. The University anticipates spending about one hour on each call. The content and topics of the strategy discussions are shown in Section 3.  The University is requesting a formal written response from the Respondent, which includes the responses to section 3, as well as the following documents: technical brochures, catalogues, specification sheets, etc. The University tentatively plans to schedule the discussions for the week of November 29, 2022.

The University will not disclose (or share) the contents of each discussion with each Respondent (this will not be made public). However, the University does intend to use information gathered from each discussion to help shape the strategy and path forward on a future RFP. The University reserves the right to cap the number of RFI sessions it will hold.
 

4. Core functionality

The University would expect the following basic functionalities in a Light Sheet Microscope:
 

• • Automatically Image Large biological samples:

• • Size of the sample: from Zebrafish to Full Brain and expanded tissue (expansion microscopy) = sample size 40mmx100mmx7mm (with 10x) or bigger
  • FOV: 1.3x1.3mm
  • Camera type: sCMOS
  • Speed: up to 30ms/FOV
  • Resolution axial:2um;

• • User friendly interface of the software driving the light sheet
  • 2P-laser based system is an asset: 2P laser range: up to 2500nm
  • adequate to be used in core facility with multiple users having completely different samples
  • Being able to image 2 colors at a time (3/4 colors is an asset)

• • Perform the tiling/stitching, the z-stack, time series (live imaging): each dimension can acquire separately or all together
  • Perform the 3D rendering of the full acquisition (if not should be easy to use with Arivis software)
  • Provide a computer that can handle the acquisition and the processing of the images.
  • Provide different sample holders
  •  

 

5. Key Considerations

The following are key considerations to provide Respondents with a framework for understanding the University’s requirements:
 

• The solution needs to meet laboratory health and safety requirements for the safe operation of the system. Please see uOttawa Laser Lab Requirements for design considerations (see page 12).

 

• Electrical products must be CSA certified or hold another ‘Recognized Approval Mark’. The list of

recognized certification markings are provided at the following link: https://esasafe.com/electricalproducts/recognized‐certification‐marks
 

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.