Impacts of Aviation Emissions in the Arctic

DEFINITION OF REQUIREMENTS

Transport Canada has a requirement for the provision of professional services related to research on the impacts of aviation emissions in the UT/LS (upper troposphere/lower stratosphere) that focuses on the chemistry and transport aspects in current and future climate states in the Arctic; and, climate impacts of future emission scenarios in the Arctic.

Before awarding a contract, however, the government would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this Notice, by submitting a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period.

If other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period that meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, a contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier.

Background

Transport Canada has a requirement for model simulations, analysis, and reporting in support of research on the impact of aviation emissions. The work will involve the following:

1. Model simulations

• Perform model simulations for future climate (2050) for the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5 ) scenario
• Perform high resolution (1x1deg) model simulations for 2006 over the Arctic

• Carry out radiative forcing calculations using the GEM-AC model for selected scenarios

2. Analysis

• Model runs and results for surface air quality (ozone and PM2.5)
• Results from a 10 year model run for ‘current climate’ and 2050 future climate simulation

3. Reporting

• Reports from collaborative meetings with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• Prepare the final summary report
• Develop a paper to present the report to the International Civil Aviation Organization Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection
• Develop presentation to present at the US. FAA Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT)

PERIOD OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACT AND DELIVERY DATE

The proposed contract is for a period of 4 months, from date of contract award to 30 June 2018. 

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that their product and services meet the following requirements:

Minimum Essential Requirements

M-1 The bidder must demonstrate a minimum of 3 years of experience in aviation emission processing using 3D global chemical weather modelling.

M-2 The bidder must demonstrate experience within the past 5 years in developing models using GEM (Global Environmental Multiscale) weather forecast model, and specifically using GEM-AQ/AC for modelling aviation emissions.

M-3 The bidder must demonstrate one project working with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the FAA's Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT) research networks on aviation emission impacts modelling.

M-4 The bidder must demonstrate a minimum of one publication related to global chemical weather models.

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PRE-IDENTIFIED SUPPLIER

Canada issued contract T8497-120001/001/TOR following a traditional non-competitive procurement process. The Contract was awarded with the work to be undertaken from 26 April 2013 to 31 March 2016 inclusive, in the amount of $634,043.00 applicable taxes included.

Approximately 86% of the work was completed when Transport Canada removed funding for the project and terminated the contract for convenience. The proposed contract reflects the remaining 14% of the original work.

The original contract was awarded to York University, Toronto, Ontario for the services of Dr. Jacek Kaminski, M.Sc. Environmental Engineering, Ph.D, Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science. Dr. Kaminski was the Project Lead for the original contract and is no longer employed by York University. 

Dr. Kaminski created is the only available person who worked on the original contract and has continued to work with the GEM-AQ/AC model at the WxPrime Corporation. At present, Dr. Kaminski is collaborating with the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy and Polish Academy of Sciences on research projects that use the GEM-AQ/AC model.

Dr. Kaminski was responsible for all of the collaboration, design, development, analysis, and reporting on the original contract. Dr. Kaminski (and his associates) developed a specific and unique Canadian expertise while at York University. 

It is important to retain the same contractor to guarantee the continuity of work and consistency of procedures and analysis used in the modelling tasks and to reduce duplication of effort.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PRE-IDENTIFIED SUPPLIER

WxPrime Corporation

2161 Yonge Street, Suite 808,

Toronto, Ontario

M4S 3A6

OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Canada intends to retain ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the proposed contract on the basis that the main purpose of the contract is to generate knowledge and information for public dissemination.

SUPPLIER'S RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the Contracting Authority identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is 5 March 2018, 2:00 p.m. EST.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTION

Section 6.d of the Government Contract Regulations is being invoked in this procurement as only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

APPLICABILITY OF THE TRADE AGREEMENT(S) TO THE PROCUREMENT

Subject to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) – Article 513, sub-article 1c) for additional deliveries by the original supplier of goods or services that were not included in the initial procurement, if a change of supplier for such additional goods or services:

1. Cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, software, services or installations procured under the initial procurement; and
2. would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the procuring entity.

   The required services are Research & Development and thus the international trade agreements do not apply to this requirement.

   INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSION OF STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES

   Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

   April Campbell

   Supply Specialist

   Public Works and Government Services Canada

   10 Wellington Street

   Gatineau, Quebec

   K1A 0H4

   Telephone: 613-295-5356
   E-mail: april.campbell@pwgsc–tpsgc.gc.ca