Compositional analysis of Devonian age granites in New-Brunswick

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN)


1.	Definition

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 competitive requirements of the government's contracting policy have been met.  Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their Statement of Capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the Treasury Board's electronic bidding authorities.

If other potential suppliers submit Statement of Capabilities during the fifteen calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department or agency must proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

2.	Definition of Requirements

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has a requirement to obtain major and trace element compositions for ferromagnesium minerals occurring within a variety of Devonian granites in New Brunswick, Canada. The overarching goal is to develop a comprehensive database of Devonian-aged granites from New Brunswick, representing emplacement in pre-, syn-, late-, and post-tectonic settings with affinities ranging from primitive to highly evolved A-, S-, and I-types granitoids and their hybrid varieties to help establish: 1) equilibrium/disequilibrium among the coexisting phases examined; 2) determine intra- and inter-mineral fractionation features that enhance existing whole-rock data of suites of granitoid rocks of various associations; and 3) link these to the generation of various granophile deposits.

Scope of work:

Obtain representative samples for a variety of Devonian granites occurring across New Brunswick. Sample sites to include the Burnthill, Dungarvon, Juniper Barrens, Lake George, Magaguadavic, Mount Douglas, Mount Elizabeth, Nashwaak, North Pole Stream, Pokiok, Papineau Falls and St George intrusions. A minimum of 100 samples are required. Each sample is required to have an accurate whole-rock chemical composition.
All rock samples require location data, a lithological description and assignment to a tectonic setting.

Scanning electron microprobe (SEM) compositional analysis of ferromagnesium phases (primarily biotite and hornblende) for the sample suite. 20 days of SEM operations are projected. Quantitative compositional analysis to be obtained via a JEOL JXA-733 Microprobe with 4 2-crystal, wavelength dispersive spectrometers (LDE1, TAP, PET, LIF crystals), Geller Microanalytical automation control, PGT Prism 2000 energy dispersive spectrometer, and PGT Spirit X-ray analysis system or equivalent.

Laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) compositional analysis of ferromagnesium phases (primarily biotite and hornblende) for the sample suite. 40 days of LA-ICP-MS operations are projected. Analysis to be conducted using a Resonetics S-155 193nm Excimer laser ablation system coupled to an Agilent 7700x quadrupole ICP-MS or equivalent.

Expected Deliverables

A data reports including site coordinates, lithological descriptions, rock unit designations, complete whole-rock chemical analyses and the results of mineralogical compositional determinations by SEM and LA-ICP-MS. The mineral compositional reports must contain data tables with links to sample site, the mineral grain being analysed and location of the analytical site within the mineral grain. Relevant bivariate and multielement plots of the obtained data should also be provided.

Summary review of the results is required in a form suitable for incorporation within a government publication (i.e., GSC Open File or Current Research).

3.	Trade Agreements

Trade Agreements are not applicable.
 

4.	Contract Period

The period of the contract will be from the date of contract award to March 31, 2014.

5.	Estimated Cost

The estimated cost of the contract is $32,500.00.

6.	Exception to the Government Contracts Regulations and applicable trade agreements

In accordance with the Government Contract Regulations (GCR) exception, Part 1, Section 6, (d) only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

The proposed contractor is the unique Organisation that meets the mandatories combined below:

Possesses sample materials with full whole-rock chemical analyses for the Burnthill, Dungarvon, Juniper Barrens, Lake George, Magaguadavic, Mount Douglas, Mount Elizabeth, Nashwaak, North Pole Stream, Pokiok, Papineau Falls and St George intrusions.

Possess SEM and laser ablation ICP-MS analytical equipment suitable for ferromagnesium mineral compositional analysis.

Detailed knowledge of the tectonic associations and chemical affinities of the various Devonian granitoid bodies within New Brunswick.


7.	Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

University of New Brunswick
Department of Earth Sciences
Box 4400, 2 Bailey Drive,
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3

8.	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, preferably by e-mail, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date and time of this Notice.  The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements."

9.	The closing date and time for accepting Statements of Capabilities

October 15, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST).