Address:
University of Toronto
Procurement Services
215 Huron St, 2nd floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5S 1A2
Description:
This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is an invitation by the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Bimolecular Research on behalf of The Governing Council of the University of Toronto (the “University”) to prospective Proponents to submit Proposals for the provision of completed synthesis and sequence verifications of 2,000 DNA sequences, and subcloning or otherwise transferring them into two different vectors, as illustrated in Appendix F and specified in the accompanying spreadsheet “Appendix G- Clones and Sequences”, as further described in the RFP.
The University is requesting synthesis 1,868 DNA fragments (genes), which are to be subcloned into one or both of two vectors to be provided, resulting in a total of 2,393 plasmids.
Proteins are the “workhorses” of the cell, participating in every structure and function involved in life. Proteins are encoded by genes, which are first copied into RNA (“gene expression”). The RNA is then translated into proteins by tRNA and ribosomes, which read the “genetic code” – sets of three-base “codons” that specify an individual amino acid (the building blocks of proteins). The genetic code contains redundancy – there are only 20 amino acids, but 61 codons, so there are typically multiple codons for each amino acid. Thus, the same protein can be encoded by many different sequences.
Differences in cell types are specified by differential expression of genes. Gene expression is controlled by proteins that bind to specific DNA and RNA sequences. These proteins often contain modules, called “domains”, that mediate the DNA or RNA binding activity. The DNA and RNA binding domains comprise a substring of the full protein sequence and they are often highly conserved among and within species. They can often be detected by computer programs that scan sequences for specific patterns.
Determining the sequences that are preferred by each of the DNA and RNA binding proteins is an ongoing challenge in molecular biology and human genetics. The human genome contains hundreds of proteins that contain DNA and RNA binding domains with no known DNA and RNA sequence preferences. Specificities for well-studied proteins have been invaluable for functional study of the human genome. Assays that can determine these sequence preferences typically require generation of the corresponding protein, either in its full-length form, or as isolated DNA or RNA binding domains.
Tendering Website:
Suppliers will find the complete tender document at: https://www.merx.com/
Pricing and Payment Terms are available on the MERX website.
Procurement Method:
Open tender whereby all interested suppliers may submit a response.
Estimated Quantities:
Available within the tender document.
Submission Details:
Suppliers shall submit their response using Bonfire at: https://utoronto.bonfirehub.ca/
Submission Deadline:
See Closing Date below.
Public Opening:
Not Applicable
Conditions for Participation:
Not applicable
Mandatory Submission Requirements:
1. Appendix B - Submission Form
2. Appendix C - Rate Bid Form
3. Appendix D - Reference Form
Complete submission requirements are provided within the tender document.
Scored Submission Requirements:
1. Minimum Requirements – 40 points
2. Desired Requirements – 5 points
3. Experience and Qualifications – 20 points
4. Delivery – 10 points
5. Pricing – 25 points
Complete submission requirements are provided within the tender document.
This procurement is covered by Chapter 5 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
Delivery Date: First partial delivery around June 2018, second partial delivery around July 2018
Duration of Agreement:
The term of the agreement is to be for a period of one (1) year. There will be no extension options.
Additional Options:
Available within the tender document.
Negotiation:
At the end of the evaluation process, the University of Toronto may identify one or more suppliers with whom it wishes to enter into negotiations, by written notification.
Supplier Prequalification (if applicable):
Not applicable
Responses must be submitted in English.
Suppliers should note that information contained within this notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to download the tender document which contain the most current information.
If there is a conflict between the tender document and this Tender Notice, the tender document will take precedence.
