Announcement of an Exempt Purchase

LIBERTY PRIME 2.0 120V 4 PUMP. The Liberty PRIME 2.0 is an ultra-efficient microwave peptide synthesizer, delivering high-quality peptides with record low waste generation and synthesis times.

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)) This procurement is in the best interest of the University because the Adibekian laboratory currently lacks sufficient capacity for automated peptide synthesis. While an older Liberty synthesizer is in use, it is operating nearly 24 hours a day, limiting access for other UIC labs. Acquiring this new equipment will significantly enhance the labs ability to synthesize longer probe peptides for ProSurA reactions, which are critical to the progress of our NIH R01 grant. By increasing synthesis capacity, the procurement supports ongoing research efforts and fosters collaboration across departments.