Supply of a Freeze Dryer System

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) is Britain's leading industrial health and safety facility. Operating as part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), HSL supports HSE’s mission to protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled.

HSL requires a freeze-drying (or lyophilisation) capability for the concentration and preservation of biological samples. Freeze-drying removes the water content from matrices, making them much more stable during long-term storage. HSL currently uses this technology for the stabilisation of quality control samples (essential for maintaining analytical methods over years and demonstrating no deterioration in quality) and for the preservation of biological extracts used for immunoassay assays. These extracts are labour-intensive to prepare and are often difficult to produce so preservation of existing stock is essential.

The current freeze dryer Edwards Modulyo system is over 25 years old and is no longer fit for purpose with components missing and a lack of capacity. Replacement parts are no longer available. Offers for exchange / trade in or disposal will be considered.

Objectives: To source a compact and efficient freeze drying system suitable for processing relevant biological specimens.

Specification: A bench top freeze dryer with temperature display as a minimum (vacuum display also would be desirable). The system should be supplied with the following: • Suitable vacuum pump to run the system • A freeze drying chamber capable of adaptable shelving • A vial stoppering device for standard 10 ml and 20 ml vials • Capacity of at least 200 vials (10 ml) • Capability or accessory for freeze-drying of samples in flasks (specify number and individual volume)

Please state whether shelves can be used unbalanced. State whether temperature and pressure recording are available and whether standard or at additional cost.

Training: Sufficient on-site training following installation to allow full use and running of the system.

HSL currently has laboratory benching measuring 180cm x 91 cm. Please state whether the instrument will fit on such benching. Please state the maximum load the bench must bear.

Please indicate what procedure required for delivery, installation and commissioning.

Specify electrical power supply and any gases (including purity and flowrates) required.

The system is required to emit no harmful substances, radiation or noise. It is required to meet all UK electrical and environmental regulations and operate in a laboratory temperature range of 10 to 40 degrees Centigrade. Please include any necessary equipment to vent emissions to ventilation system if appropriate.

Maintenance Agreement: Provide an example quotation for a one year maintenance agreement (including all travel and labour, based on unlimited callouts, but not parts).

Additional information: Further information relating to tender HSL T36 15/16 - Supply of Freeze Dryer System. Q&A Number 1

Question

In the tender it is written that the freezer dryer shall be able to have at least 200 vials of 10 and 20 ml vials. Please let me have the dimensions of the vials, so I can make some calculation for the needed shelve area. Please also confirm that the solvent is water only, this is important in order to decide the condenser temperature.

Response

- 10 ml vial is 23mm in diameter and 46mm in height. I do not have the dimensions of the 20 ml vial but the diameter is the same so a calculation can be made.

- Only aqueous solutions are required to be freeze-dried.

Contract start date is estimated subject to approval and award.

HSL has applied broad estimates in the lowest and highest value fields in the 'Summary Information' section.