Ultra-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer

Procurement Summary

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Material Management Laboratory, Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD) has significant research efforts in the fields of analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry, targeting the forensic science, public health, and homeland security communities. The Rapid Drug Analysis and Research (RaDAR) program provides comprehensive, near real-time analysis of drug residues collected from public safety and public health entities across the U.S. The core platform used to provide these measurements is high-resolution ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AI-MS). Over the last 12 months the RaDAR program has grown significantly and has begun to couple non-targeted qualitative analysis with quantitative analyses using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). It has also expanded to include an effort to provide laboratory-grade measurements to community partners at point of need via a mobile testing laboratory. The mobile testing laboratory is a 17-foot box van that has been customized with the necessary infrastructure to allow for on-site analysis of drug residues. To further enable our ability to provide high-quality data in the field, we require a high-resolution mass spectrometry system that can provide both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Therefore, a liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF) system is required. For the LC-QTOF system to be able to be used within the mobile laboratory, it must meet specific size requirements. Specifically, the mobile laboratory has built-in benches that are 30” in depth and a maximum of 72” in length that the LC-QTOF must be able to fit on. Given the height of the benches relative to the ceiling, the height of the system cannot exceed 50”. Given gross vehicle weight restrictions, the weight of the entire LC-QTOF system cannot exceed 600 pounds. There is no space in the mobile laboratory for a floor-based instrument. In addition to these requirements, the LC-QTOF system must be able to couple with a direct analysis in real time (DART) ambient ionization source to enable rapid qualitative analysis using existing methodologies. It must have a resolving power of at least 30,000 full width half max that is independent of scan frequency or mass range and can be used in full scan or tandem (MS/MS) data acquisition to be able to differentiate structurally similar compounds. All necessary data analysis software and a computer must also be provided.

Yes

Yes