Sensible reverse dosimetry to correlate exposure biomonitoring and exposure data

HEALTH CANADA ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE


TITLE:   Sensible reverse dosimetry to correlate exposure biomonitoring and exposure data

SOLICITATION NUMBER:   1000165133

1.  The purpose and explanation of an ACAN

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows Health Canada contracting authorities to post a notice on the Government Electronic Tendering System (GETS), for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that a good, service or construction contract will be awarded 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.

2.  Rights of suppliers

Suppliers who believe that they are fully qualified and available to provide the services or goods described in this ACAN may submit a Statement of Capabilities clearly demonstrating how they meet the advertised requirement. This Statement of Capabilities must be provided via e-mail only to the contact person identified in Section 12 of the Notice on or before the closing date and time of the Notice. If there is a reasonable level of evidence regarding capability, the requirements will be opened to electronic or traditional bidding processes.

3.  Proposed Contractor

University of Montreal
3744 rue Jean-Brillant
Bureau 6320
Montreal (Quebec)  H3T 1P1

4.  Definition of Requirements or Expected Results

This requirement involves creating physiological computer models that will help interpret biomonitoring measurements of volatile chemicals in blood for the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). In particular, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are used to predict the behavior of chemical substances in humans.  These models will also help compare levels found in tap water and indoor homes with these biomonitoring measures.  Other contributing factors that affect blood concentrations of these chemicals such as age, body weight, gender, indoor and outdoor activities, and water consumption will also be investigated. The results of this study will help understand the chemical interactions and provide scientific means at evaluating chemical mixtures as whole or each component separately, as found in national surveys such as the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS).  In time, quantitative modeling tool provided like in this study will assist in addressing public concerns regarding potential public health implications of mixtures measured in biomonitoring programs.

5.  Minimum requirements

The main reason for directing this contract is the fact that the University of Montreal provided the majority of the intellectual input into the proposal that won funding under the Canadian Federal Government’s Chemical Management Plan (CMP).  In addition to that, any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a Statement of Capabilities that it meets the following minimum requirements: 

a.   Must have the expertise necessary for the integration of available pharmacokinetic data with existing Canadian risk assessments;

b.   Must have the expertise necessary for the development of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models and mixture interaction metabolic models;

c.   Must have relevant experience providing guidance at a senior project level in a similar project;

d.   Must have experience coordinating the collaboration with Health Canada stakeholders on a relevant project;

6.  Reason for non-competitive award

Section 6 of the Government Contracts Regulations contains four exceptions that permit the contracting authority to set aside the requirement to solicit bids.  For the proposed procurement, the following exception applies:

(d)   Only One Person or Firm is capable of performing the contract.


Dr. Sami Haddad of the University of Montreal was a key participant in developing the current proposal that was approved by the Chemical Management Plan (CMP) Monitoring and Surveillance (M&S) for funding.  He worked in conjunction with Health Canada researchers in developing the proposal and provided 80% of the intellectual input.  The development of this research cannot be done without the modeling expertise provided by the University of Montreal. 

7.  Applicable trade agreements and justification for limited tendering or the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business

This requirement is subject to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  
	
The requirement is being directed to the proposed supplier as permitted under the following sections of the above trade agreements:
	
•   Article 1016, 2(b) of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA
	
which allows for contracts to be directed to a particular firm when the products or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists.
	
This requirement is not subject to the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business.


8.  Ownership of Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property shall vest with the Contractor, although the Contractor shall grant the Crown a license to exercise all Intellectual Property Rights in the Materiel for any public purpose.

9.  Period of the proposed contract

The services of the Contractor will be required for a period of approximately 17 months, commencing on or about October 27, 2014 and ending around March 31, 2016

10.  Estimated value of the proposed contract
 
The total value of the contract shall not exceed $100,000 paid out over two fiscal years  (FY2014-15 and FY2015-16), including all applicable taxes.


11. Closing date and time 

The closing date and time for accepting Statements of Capabilities is 23rd of October 2014, 2 p.m. EDT).

12.  Contact Person

All inquiries with regard to this Notice must be addressed by e-mail to:

Name:   Robert Merrick
E-Mail:    Robert.Merrick@hc-sc.gc.ca