The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Fort Detrick has issued a solicitation for Antibiotic Susceptibility Strips and EasyMag System Reagents that determine the quantitative antibiotic susceptibility of biothreat agents.
Previously established USAMRIID protocols require bacterium be grown on agar plates in the presence of antibiotic e-strips coated with antibiotic gradients and marked with quantitative tick marks for measuring the zone of clearing. This requirement is for brand name or equal EasyMag system reagents, consumables, controls, calibrators, and parts on an as-needed basis.
“The Biomerieux EasyMag is an automated nucleic acid extraction platform used by our division,” states the announcement. “The system is integrated into an ongoing funded study for both platform evaluation and support of mission essential sample processing.”
The following are the Minimal Essential Characteristics for the EasyMag sample prep reagents to be procured:
- Must be Biomerieux brand name or equivalent
- Must be available for all 44 antibiotics requested
- Must be packaged in 30 strip per package format
- Must contain clearly labeled gradient tick marks of antibiotic concentration
- Must provide 15 dilutions per strip
- Must have antibiotic abbreviation written on top of Estrip
- Must have expiration date no less than 1.5 years from time of order
Under the contract, USAMRIID places an order as required, and the vendor delivers as early as the next business day but no later than 5 business days. The Period of Performance is a twelve-month base year with four twelve-month options years.
Source: FBO.gov
Editor’s Note: While the acquisition of laboratory equipment or reagents is commonplace, we periodically cover these activities for insight into the research, acquisition and mission priorities of biodefense-relevant organizations.
