Update ENERGY STAR for industry benchmarking platforms to include Canadian cement & fertilizer facilities

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.

Definition of Requirements

The department of Natural Resources Canada has a requirement to develop and update ENERGY STAR for Industry benchmarking platforms in the cement and fertilizer sectors, seamlessly across the U.S. and Canada, by March 31, 2017.

This project involves accessing and integrating confidential industrial manufacturing plant economic and production data in the U.S. and Canada. This data is carefully controlled and provided on a limited basis; for example, the U.S. data is only available through the Center for Economic Studies of the U.S. Census Bureau, and is only provided to researchers who have secured several lengthy approvals for access. Therefore, having secured access to the confidential plant data and the ability to protect it is critical for the timing and success of the project. In addition, the benchmarking platforms must conform to existing modeling methodologies developed under an exclusive work agreement through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which owns the proprietary rights to the ENERGY STAR brand.

The two project deliverables are as follows:

1. Cement Sector – Incorporate Canadian industry information and provide input into the ongoing process in the U.S. to refine and update existing energy benchmarks called energy performance indicators (EPIs) for the cement sector, specifically where energy performance has improved, which results in alignment of ENERGY STAR for Industry seamlessly across the U.S. and Canada for this sector.
2. Fertilizer Sector – Incorporate Canadian industry information and provide input to the ongoing process in the U.S. to develop new industry-specific, plant-level EPIs through statistical modeling of actual industry-wide manufacturing plant data in the fertilizer sector, which results in alignment of ENERGY STAR for Industry seamlessly across the U.S. and Canada for this sector.

Therefore, Natural Resources Canada requires a supplier that meets all of the following mandatory criteria:

• Experience in building mathematical models that estimate a manufacturing plant’s relative energy efficiency in relationship to the rest of its unique industrial sector (minimum 10 years);

• Experience in conversing with industry on energy impacts that affect energy use in specific manufacturing plants and processes, in a way that builds trust and credibility (minimum 10 years, minimum 10 different industrial manufacturing sectors);
• Experience in conducting a research project across both the U.S. and Canada (minimum 1 project);
• Experience in developing and finalizing an ENERGY STAR benchmarking platform (minimum 1 platform);
• Experience in handling and protecting confidential industrial data (minimum 10 years);
• Knowledge and understanding of unique energy issues that affect the industry;
• Knowledge and understanding of advanced statistical and economic data treatment, including regression analysis and stochastic frontier modelling;
• Advanced degrees in statistics and economics;
• Permission from the U.S. EPA to develop ENERGY STAR for industry benchmarking tools;
• An approved seat at the U.S. Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies in advance of performing the work;
• An approved research project from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies; and;
• Special Sworn Status for each person who will access the non-public microdata at the U.S. Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies. This data is protected under Title 13 (authorizing title for the Census data) and Title 26 (authorizing title for the US tax code).

Trade Agreements

The following Trade Agreements are applicable:

NAFTA/Canada-Chili/Canada-Columbia/Canada-Honduras/Canada-Panama

Title to Intellectual Property

The Contractor will take ownership of the Foreground Information arising from the performance of the work in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Intellectual Property. For reference, the Treasury Board Site is: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=13697

SACC Manual clause 4006 - Contractor to Own Intellectual Property Rights in Foreground Information (2010-08-16).

Contract Period

From award of contract to March 31, 2017.

Estimated Cost

Estimated cost is $67,853.00 USD.

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 suggested supplier, Duke University, has exclusive right to develop ENERGY STAR for Industry benchmarking tools. These tools are developed under an exclusive work agreement between the U.S. EPA and Duke University.

The suggested supplier, Duke University, is currently the only source that has the experience, knowledge, understanding, and permissions required to develop ENERGY STAR for Industry benchmarking tools seamlessly across the U.S. and Canada.

Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under NAFTA/Chili/Columbia/Honduras/Panama

Where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;

Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

Duke University

Office of Research Support

Durham, NC

27705

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."

Closing Date

September 12^h, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST).

Contract Authority

Lucie Lepage

Natural Resources Canada

Contracting Officer

580 Booth Street, room 5-D2-2

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0E4

Fax: 613-947-5477

E-mail: lucie.lepage@canada.ca