Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) Implementation of the Discrete Global Grid Systems Standard (DGGS)

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN)

1. Title
Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) Implementation of the Discrete Global Grid Systems Standard (DGGS)

2. 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.

3. Background

Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure

The Government of Canada creates an environment for the development of the CGDI. Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) responsibility is to foster an environment for the development and use of spatial data infrastructures (SDI) both within Canada and internationally. Spatial Data Infrastructures are highly distributed components that allow data integration based on international standards, industry consortia, operational policies, governance mechanisms and application development.

The Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure is an online network of resources that improve the sharing, use and integration of information tied to geographic locations in Canada. A virtual and distributed (i.e. Cloud) technical environment will provide standardized open access for the Canadian Geomatics community and its Canadian and International stakeholders as well as platform for collaboration, development, testing and sharing of geospatial applications that would be sustainable by the user community.

Discrete Global Grid Systems

The integration of multiple sources of geospatial information continues to be a challenge as part of the geospatial-knowledge cycle. A solution to this challenge involves the conversion of traditional data sources into standardized data architectures that can improve processing efficiency. A common framework links large datasets together allowing analytical processes to be applied. Such a solution must be capable of managing multiple data streams instead of singular data sources.

A framework referred to as a Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS) has been identified as part of this data integration solution. The DGGS, a form of Earth reference that, unlike its established counterpart, the coordinate reference system that represents the Earth as a continual lattice of points represents the Earth with a tessellation of nested cells that is optimal for scalable processing.

4. Objectives

The objective of the resulting contract is to engage an expert team experienced with the Discrete Global Grid Systems Standard in the CGDI context to provide support to the GeoConnections Operational Policies and Standards Team, as and when required, in pursuit of the following program objectives:

• Keeping Canada at the leading edge of accessing, sharing and using geospatial information over the Internet;
• Supporting the integration and use of geospatial data to support effective decision making; and,
• Coordinating the development of national policies, standards and mechanisms and supporting their implementation to ensure maintenance and updating of geospatial data and compatibility with global standards.

The GeoConnections Program requires technical, analytical and professional services from a contractor in order to deliver operational solutions for the implementation of the Discrete Global Grid Systems standard and supporting services, data and cloud technologies.

In support of NRCan’s continued search for innovative geomatics solutions, including the adoption and implementation of the DGGS standard, to foster Canadian innovation and related technologies in a Cloud environment. This project will implement DGGS solutions with supporting applications, data and services, such as emerging Data Cube solutions (i.e. standardized multidimensional database optimized for Cloud environments).

5. Project Requirements

5.1 Tasks & Deliverables

Tasks & Deliverables

The department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation Branch (CCMEO), GeoConnections Program, has a requirement for a skilled team (at least two resources) with significant experience and demonstrated capabilities of the Discrete Global Grid Systems Standard in the CGDI context. The contractor is to execute tasks, including targeted research and analysis in support of the development, adoption and implementation of cloud technologies for the evolution of the CGDI.

Examples of work to be undertaken may include:

• Assessment of Cloud providers and their suitability to support applications that deliver analysis capabilities of geospatial and temporal datasets.
• Operational policy recommendations, including recommendations for data security, financial considerations, management and use, and long term application considerations, in a Cloud environment
• Implementation Strategy: Including cloud environment scenarios, interoperability, security
• Development of DGGS solutions and applications that consider the breadth of spatial data disseminated through the FGP/Open Maps as well as emerging Data Cube solutions and other open source technologies;
• To determine process for Cloud Users (i.e. Registration, access, security, maintenance) e
• Delivery of an Implemented Architecture and range of services;
• Communication Strategy for engagement and collaboration with potential stakeholders and members of the Canadian Geomatics community

Work to be undertaken as part of this contract will range from defining emerging issues such as Climate Change, Clean Technologies, Smart Cities, Volunteer Geographic Information and Sensors networks, developing and analyzing options and making recommendations. Work shall be carried out at the request of the NRCan Project Authority or delegate and as described in a Task Authorization Form (see Appendix A). Tasks will range in size and scope from those requiring one or two days to up to a several months to complete.

6. Trade Agreements

This requirement is exempt from all Trade Agreements as per Exclusion:
1001.1b-2 – T – Communications, Photographic, Mapping, Printing and Publication Services – All Classes

7. Title to Intellectual property

4007 (2010-08-16) - Canada to Own Intellectual Property Rights in Foreground Information

8. Contract Period

The contract period shall be from date of award of contract to March 31, 2020.

9. Estimated Cost

The estimated maximum value of the contract is between $450,000.00 to $460,000.00 CAD, including all applicable taxes.

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

Sole Source Justification  Exception of the Government Contract Regulations (GCR):

(d) Only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract

The contractor must:

1) Have experience* authoring and developing Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS) standards with successful adoption by the Open Geospatial Consortium;
2) Have experience* implementing the DGGS Standard in Data Cube environments and advanced geospatial analysis workflows;
3) Be able to demonstrate Open Geospatial Consortium standard implementations in Cloud environments;
4) Be able to integrate geospatial web services from a wide range of data sources (e.g. federal, provincial, municipal, academic, crowdsourcing);
5) Be able to document standard implementations and contribute to Open Geospatial Consortium engineering reports; and
6) Currently hold a membership of the Open Geospatial Consortium and be an active contributor to the DGGS Technical Working Group.
*experience is defined as twelve (12) consecutive months within the last five (5) years.

PYXIS is the only provider that can meet all of the criteria above as well as the project requirements in paragraph 5.1.

11. Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

PYXIS
700 6th Avenue SW
Suite 1680
Calgary, AB T2P 0T8

12. 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.

13. Closing Date

Closing Date: February xx, 2017
Closing Time: 14:00 EST

14. Contract Authority

Len Pizzi
Procurement Officer
Natural Resources Canada
183 Longwood Road South
Hamilton, ON
L8P 0A5
Telephone: (905) 645-0676
Fax:  (905) 645-0831
E-mail : len.pizzi@canada.ca