McGill University– Bioinformatics Service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton Research and Development Centre

McGill University– Bioinformatics Service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton Research and Development Centre

DEFINITION OF REQUIREMENTS:

The Fredericton Research and Development Centre in Fredericton, NB, requires a service contract with McGill University bioinformatics services to assemble, analyze and store potato genome sequence data and develop a graphical online potato sequence viewer. The services provided by McGill University are:

The work will consist of development of computer-based processes to analyze potato DNA sequences of 16 Diploid, 6 Polyploid and 12 Organellar genomes. Four components of service are required in this contract: 1. Assembly of raw sequence data, 2. Annotation of assembled sequences, 3. Storage of raw and processed (assembled and annotated) sequences and 4. Development of a graphical online potato sequence viewer to visualize multiple sequences simultaneously online. The sequence viewer will be delivered through the existing Potato Genome Diversity Portal at McGill University. 

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements :

1. Assembly of raw sequence data;

2. Annotation of assembled sequences;

3. Storage of raw and processed (assembled and annotated) sequences; and

4. Development of a graphical online potato sequence viewer to visualize multiple sequences simultaneously online.

CONTRACT PERIOD:

The contract will be from date of contract award to April 20, 2020

ESTIMATED VALUE: $ 311,404.00 plus applicable taxes. 

PROPOSED CONTRACTOR:

McGill University

Department of Plant Science

21, 111 Lakeshore

Ste-Anne-de Bellevue, Quebec

H9X 3V9

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:

The Department of Plant Science at the McGill University utilizes novel resources and innovations, including a reference genome sequence for a non-AAFC natural diploid potato (GON1) not available elsewhere, and the Potato Genome Diversity Portal which was developed by McGill University both of which will be required to develop the graphical online sequence viewer. The portal is unique and is currently housing the GON1 reference sequences that will be required for analysis. McGill University owns the portal and the IP that was used to develop it. The newly developed sequence viewer that will be housed in the portal will be required for comparative analysis of AAFC sequences with unique non-AAFC sequences also stored in the portal. McGill University is the only service provider with the capacity to deliver on all four (4) deliverables described in the “Definition of Requirements”. There is no other know supplier that has the capacity to deliver a graphical online potato sequence viewer for visualizing AAFC potato genome sequences along with non-AAFC potato genome sequences. 

ACAN NOTICE:

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the Contracting Authority.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the Contracting Authority may then proceed with the award. However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the Contracting Authority will proceed to a full tendering process with a technical and financial evaluation methodology of the bids proposed by the potential bidders.

Inquiries on Submission of Statement of Capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing, either via letter, facsimile or Email to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The Solicitation Number, Name of Contracting Authority and closing date of the ACAN must appear within your Statement of Capabilities.

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY:

Colby Collinge, Materiel Manager

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Western Service Centre

300 – 2010 12^th Avenue

Regina, SK S4P 0M3

Phone: (306) 523-6546

Email: colby.collinge@canada.ca