Animal housing equipment – metabolic cages for the CARDDIAB research building

Summary

The tender is for equipment for animal-housing areas in the University Hospital Düsseldorf’s CARDDIAB research building: 8 high-resolution mouse phenotyping and indirect calorimetry systems and 1 mobile ventilated cage rack with capacity for at least 12 cages. The system must allow simultaneous measurements in at least 16 mouse cages and monitor, among other parameters, oxygen and carbon dioxide, water vapour, body weight, food and water intake, and animal activity, with uninterrupted monitoring for at least 7 days. The equipment and cages must suit laboratory hygiene conditions, withstand disinfection and hydrogen peroxide treatment, and be autoclavable. The price must also include a service contract providing at least 3 hours of application training, 2 hours of system-maintenance training and 3 hours of data-analysis training. Bids are evaluated on price (70%), the service-contract price (20%) and optional equipment supported by documentation (10%). Optional features that may earn points include measurement of movement on the Z axis, an environmental sensor array, the option to add a climate chamber operating from 4°C to 35°C and holding at least 8 indirect-calorimetry cages, and the option to add a running wheel. The bid must be submitted in German electronically by the deadline stated in the contract notice. It must include the completed price schedule, required forms and the equipment’s technical and manufacturer information. The bidder must provide the required suitability declarations and evidence and meet the experience, staffing and technical-compliance requirements.