Pipette Calibration Systems

The program is requesting purchase of one SpeedCal Mobile multichannel pipette calibration system for the gravimetric testing of multichannel pipettes according to DIN EN ISO 8655 and one Cubis II single channel pipette calibration system with moisture trap, automated draft shield and proximity sensor. These items are manufactured by Sartorius Corporation.

In order for NCIRD to achieve their mission, laboratory equipment must be compliant with either the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations or with the International Standards Organization (ISO) requirements. These regulations and standards require calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including pipettes, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results and uphold quality control standards in clinical labs. This purchase is for two new calibration units that will be used for this purpose.

There are two gold-standard approaches to checking the accuracy of a pipette’s calibration—photometric, where the absorbance of a dye is measured to determine the volume actually delivered; and gravimetric, where distilled water is weighed to determine how much volume was delivered. The photometric method requires costly consumables in addition to equipment acquisition costs. In contrast, the gravimetric method only requires distilled water, and therefore the main associated cost is the equipment acquisition cost.

When calibrating a large number of pipettes using the gravimetric method, it is optimal to use a balance designed for the purpose of pipette calibrations. This specially-designed balance integrates with software to automatically capture the data (reducing transcription errors), and tares for the next reading to save the operator time and reduce errors from the redundancy of a repetitive task. The number of manufacturers of such systems is very limited.

The Sartorius Cubis® II MPS 116S single-channel pipette calibration balance and SpeedCal Mobile 12 multichannel pipette calibration system are specially designed for pipette calibration and integrate with software to automatically capture the data (reducing transcription errors), and tares for the next reading to save the operator time and reduce errors.

Web API – Both Sartorius systems use a web API to transfer data. A web API is a standardized way for different systems to talk to each other, regardless of who made them. In practical terms, this means data from the pipette calibration system can be sent directly into other lab systems without staff having to manually record, transform, or transfer results. Instead of relying on proprietary connections that only work within a single vendor’s ecosystem, a web API uses open, widely accepted communication methods—similar to how websites interact over the internet—allowing systems from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly. This saves staff time, reduces transcription errors, improves data reliability, and enables integration across systems.

Multichannel calibration system with 12 independent load cells - Weighing distilled water is how pipette calibrations are performed gravimetrically. A load cell is the portion of a balance that weighs the water. Twelve independent load cells means the system can measure weights simultaneously (i.e. in parallel). This improves speed and reduces the impact of environmental changes and other sources of drift. The Sartorius system meets this requirement. Other systems have a single load cell and their systems can only measure the weights sequentially. This translates to both longer wait times while the system is measuring, and an increased impact of environmental changes, like the evaporation of water, which has a negative effect on pipette calibrations.

Mobile-ready single channel and multichannel pipette calibration systems - The NCIRD team providing pipette calibration service does not have dedicated laboratory space at the Roybal campus. Instead, pipette calibrations are performed in the space owned by the requesting lab. Therefore the systems used must be designed for mobility.

An equipment manufacturer with an established U.S presence and responsive technical support -

Both the single channel and multichannel pipette calibration systems will be used to calibrate pipettes for NCIRD labs. When a pipette’s calibration expires, it cannot be used to perform laboratory work. Timely recalibration is necessary to prevent disruptions to laboratory testing. If the system used to perform calibration is out of service, then pipettes cannot be recalibrated in a timely manner. A vendor with responsive, U.S.-based field service technicians is essential for continuity of NCIRD laboratory operations.

The technical requirements necessitating sole source for this procurement are as follows:

1. API/Web Integration

2. Mobility

3. Multichannel calibration system with 12 independent load cells

4. Established US customer support