Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District

Board of Trustees Meeting

April 8, 2008


 

 

Agenda Item:  New Business

Discussion and/or approval to go out to bid and to purchase from the  lowest responsible bidder a high performance, stereo microscope for the Biocontrol Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 from Fund  # 7450.01.220 - Equipment, Parts & Supplies. – Dr. Branka Lothrop

 

Background:

The biocontrol lab works with Mermithid nematodes that are thin, translucent, white roundworms, from 10-100 mm long, and very difficult to see under the general magnifications of the microscopes currently in use. High magnification and excellent resolutions of the stereomicroscope is essential to perform infections of 1st instars mosquito larvae with pre-parasitic and parasitic phase of nematodes and to determine the gender of the infectious specimen.

 

Staff Recommendation:

Approve staff to go out to bid and to purchase from the lowest responsible bidder the high performance, stereo microscope for the Biocontrol Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 from Fund # 7450.01.220, Equipment, and Parts & Supplies.    

 

 

Fiscal Impact:

Current funds available from Fund #7450.01.220 - Equipment, Parts & Supplies is $16,676.34, 65% of the budgeted amount for this line item.  This expenditure is approximately 60% of the available balance.