These instruments will allow the chemistry laboratory to perform biophysical experiments funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for performing sponsored research and other sponsored activities under grants and contracts funded by the sponsor or by sources other than State appropriations. (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b)(8)) If the laboratory was not able to purchase these instruments, the laboratory would lose significant federal funding and put future requests for federal funds at risk.