Notice of Intended Procurement
NAME OF PROCURING ENTITY
The Governing Council of the University of Toronto (the “University”)
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTRACT PERSON COORDINATES
Renee Cheng
150 College Street, 3rd Floor, Room 350,
Toronto ON M5S 1A2
reneeke.cheng@utoronto.ca
PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS
The procurement documents are available at www.merx.com.
Note that obtaining access to the procurement documents will require prospective suppliers to register and pay a registration fee. Pricing and Payment Terms are available on the MERX website.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCUREMENT
The University is conducting an RFP for Live Cell Imaging Multimode Reader.
The Live Cell Imaging Multimode Reader (“System”) required will be used to pioneer genome-scale analyses of essential gene function in leading human fungal pathogens, perform phenotypic screens to assess gene function, identify molecules that target essential gene products with broad therapeutic potential, and evaluate the therapeutic potential of lead compounds in multiple infection models. Specifically, the Cowen lab aims to perform systematic genome-scale analyses of genes required for fungal growth, morphogenesis, and virulence by quantitative image analysis coupled with phenotypic assessments of fungal growth, morphogenesis, and oxygen consumption. We are looking for an instrument that enables automated confocal and widefield microscopy with exquisite resolution and optical sectioning capabilities coupled with a conventional multimode microplate reader capable of reading optical density, fluorescence, and luminescence. Multiple objectives, from 1.25x to 60x to capture detailed resolution of microbes, and laser-based illumination are required to deliver high-quality images. Included should also be an automated microplate stacker, which enables the automatic delivery and analysis of up to 30 microplates at a time to achieve high-throughput image/data acquisition. Finally, the instrument should be capable of performing multiple analyses to quantify fungal growth, morphogenesis (formation of elongated cells), protein co-localization, and oxygen consumption as a measurement of mitochondrial function.
The procurement is anticipated to involve negotiation. An electronic auction is not anticipated.
ADDRESS AND FINAL DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Submissions must be submitted electronically at https://utoronto.bonfirehub.ca/ on or before Tuesday, March 03, 2026 (2:00 PM local time). The submissions will not be opened publicly.
CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
The procurement is subject to the following conditions for participation: Please see Schedule A to the RFP Data Sheet, Section 6.2.(2).
APPLICABLE TRADE AGREEMENTS
This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s):
- The Canadian Free Trade Agreement, Chapter Five
- The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, Chapter 19
- The Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Chapter 9
CONTRACT DETAILS
The term is five (5) years.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The University will base its selection of qualified suppliers on the following criteria:
Schedule D Part 1
Technical Submission Requirements Weight
B.1 Experience and Qualifications 5
B.2 Technical Requirements
B.2.1 Plate Compatibility & Handling 6
B.2.2 Detection Modes & Optical Performance 8
B.2.3 Sensitivity & Accuracy 10
B.2.4 Automation & Environmental Control 6
B.2.5 Microscopy Capability 10
B.2.6 Computer and Software 4
B.2.7 System Maintenance and Design 5
B.2.8 Regulatory and Industry Standards Compliance 1
B.3 Delivery, Installation and Testing 7
B.4 Training Requirements 8
B.5 Warranty and Extended Warranty 10
Schedule D Part 2 Financial Submission 20
Total 100
Optional Presentation 15
Total (Incl. Optional Presentation) 115
NOTES
Suppliers should note that information contained within this notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to obtain the procurement documents which contain the most current information. If there is a conflict between the procurement documents and this notice, the procurement documents will take precedence.
