Provision of Scientific Expertise for Coordination and Conduct of Human Health Risk Assessment, Scientific Peer Reviews and Consultations

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT (NPP)

Solicitation #:  1000166241        Closing Date:  July 24, 2015       Time:  2:00 PM  EDT


This requirement is for the department of Health Canada.


Title: 
Provision of Scientific Expertise for Coordination and Conduct of Human Health Risk Assessment, Scientific Peer Reviews and Consultations


Scope:
The Safe Environment Directorate (SED) wishes to establish various Standing Offers on a range of risk assessment activities to support its mandated roles to protect the health of Canadians from hazards posed by chemical substances, including air and water contaminants, novel substances and contaminated sites through risk assessment and risk management. The main purpose of the standing offer is to obtain a list of qualified companies that have a broad range of expertise in the area of human health risk assessment and provide scientific services which may include gathering scientific data and/or literature for conducting a human health risk assessment, development of methodologies and tools for human health risk assessment, providing scientific expertise and training on human health risk assessments, conducting human health risk assessments (may include exposure assessment or hazard characterization), scientific peer review of assessment reports and consultations on scientific issues relating to the approach of conducting human health risk assessment of chemicals, air and water contaminants and novel substances in the environment.

Estimated Value: 
The total estimated value of the Standing Offer Agreement resulting from this Request for Standing Offer shall not exceed $20M including all applicable taxes and optional years. It is estimated that Health Canada will spend approx. $5M (GST included) for one (1) year with three (3) one-year optional extensions to be exercised at Health Canada’s discretion.

Ownership of Intellectual Property:
The Intellectual Property arising from the performance of the work under any call-ups against the Standing Offer will vest with the Contractor, unless specified in the individual call-up..


Security Requirement: 
Security requirements will be determined in the individual call-ups. It is the Standing Offer holder’s responsibility to have the necessary security clearances described in any call-up.	

Bidder Information:  Document Safeguarding Capability (DSC)
This Capability is in addition to a supplier’s Designated Organization Screening (DSC) or in addition to a supplier’s Facility Site Clearance (FSC) - both of which entail the security screening of the organization's Company Security Officer and employees, and in certain cases, the Key Senior Officials. The DSC, in addition, assesses the physical security of the organization's facilities to ensure they meet the requirements for the safeguarding of government information (hardcopy or digital) and assets. A Document Safeguarding Capability issued by the Canadian Industrial Security Directorate will authorize the organization to possess and store PROTECTED or Classified information and assets at their facility.


Mandatory Requirements: 

M1.  Holds M.Sc or Ph.D in biology, toxicology, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics (or scientific field relevant to human health risk assessment); Or proof of certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT). (NOTE: Toxicology experience could include such factors as research, testing, teaching, hazard assessment, safety evaluation, management, or clinical toxicology in animals or humans.)

M2.  A minimum of 5 years experience with human health risk assessment;

M3.  A minimum of 2 years experience in providing scientific/technical or regulatory advice to government agencies or private sector organizations.

M4.  Two references are to be provided and will be contacted in order to evaluate the Bidder’s skills.

M5.  Disclosure of any potential conflict of interest by the Bidder or any subcontracting party that might hinder the objectivity, impartiality, credibility and reliability of any of the party.
		
		
Selection Methodology
The five (5) highest-ranked proposal(s) per stream meeting ALL Mandatory Requirements and achieving the total minimum score required for ALL Point-Rated Requirements and representing the best value to the Branch shall be recommended for inclusion within the SOA.  

Highest Compliant Combined Rating of Technical Merit and Price:

It is understood by the parties submitting proposals that, to qualify, bidders must meet all mandatory requirements as well as the minimum score identified for the point-rated criteria.  The contract will be awarded based on a determination of best value taking into account both the technical merit of the proposals and the price evaluations.  To arrive at an overall score achieved by a firm, a weighting has been established whereby technical merit will be valued at 70% of the bid and price at 30%.


Enquiries regarding this Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) are to be submitted in writing to: 

Name of the Contracting Authority:   Donna Pettit
E-mail address:  Donna.pettit@hc-sc.gc.ca