All correspondence must be made through the Vendor Portal. Please note: This is a Sole Source Notification. Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Vitrobot Mk IV is the only plunge-freezing device that meets all of the requirements below. This is a one-of-a-kind instrument that requires accurate and gentle handling and manipulation of small and fragile specimens at cryogenic temperatures. It is possible that competitors will create better products in the future, but at the time of this procurement, no such option is available: · Small lab bench footprint of 413/260/890 mm (L x W x H): this helps maximize the use of laboratory bench space. · Built-in touch screen operation with Linux controller: this simplifies operations in a user-friendly way. · Left and right handed operation without any reconfiguration, with immediate access to both left and right sides of the blotting chamber: this simplifies operations for the user. · Double-sided, simultaneous blotting: this is a necessary feature to create thin specimens for cryo-EM imaging. · Blotting adjustment to create the gradient of vitreous ice: this feature helps to optimize grid freezing conditions for cryo-EM imaging. · Sample incubation always at 100% RH for any valid operating temperature, ultrasonically controlled: consistent humidity is needed to maximize reproducibility of vitrified specimens · Minimized contamination risk during grid transfer by keeping the frozen grid submerged in coolant after vitrification: minimizing contamination is necessary to produce high-quality cryo-EM specimens. · Wide range of Temperature (4-60°C): different projects will have different temperature requirements. · Variable blotting frequency and pressure: adjusting blotting frequency and pressure provides more options during grid optimization procedures. · Storage and use of approved experimental conditions from existing plunge-freezing units: this Vitrobot will replace our old Vitrobot (CA0000009482), and we are able to use the same settings between the old and new devices. · Compatible with time resolved studies and existing training and vitrification processes: users who were trained on the previous Vitrobot will have the knowledge and expertise to use the new instrument. We will use this instrument for future time resolved studies.