In situ laser ablation split stream (LASS) analysis of zircon Lu-Hf to constrain the genesis of porphyry-style mineralization within the temporal and spatial evolution of accretionary orogens

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of Requirements

The department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has a requirement to develop new knowledge on the large-scale processes that drive Canada’s major ore systems, with the goal of improving exploration success for the deeply buried or otherwise hidden mineral deposits. The generation of porphyry-style deposits are directly related to tectonic processes within a protracted orogenic system. Advancing the knowledgebase on how the discrete mineralizing events fit within the overall evolution of orogens, will provide the basis for improved exploration models. The objective of this study is to provide baseline data on the orogens have evolved by utilizing the isotopic composition of zircon from both barren and mineralized granitoid rocks as a crustal probe of deep crustal processes over time and space. These data are projected to be integrated with other data sources to identify new research avenues for porphyry ore systems research. Interim results from this baseline need to be completed by March 31, 2018, to provide direction for summer 2018 field studies.

Zircon separates for in situ Lu-Hf analysis will be provided from archived materials held by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), or other sources, to provide diverse coverage of the Appalachian and Cordilleran orogens. Resulting data from this work is intended to be disseminated into the public domain by Geological Survey of Canada Open File(s), in accordance with the Government of Canada’s commitment to open science/open data. Additional publications (i.e. TGI reports of activity, journal papers) utilizing these are possible.

3. Criteria for Assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that its product/equipment/system meets the following requirements:

• A Laser Ablation Spit Stream (LASS) Inductively-Coupled Mass Spectrometer system;
• A track record of conducting LASS analyses Lu-Hf – U-Pb analyses on zircon, supported through peer-reviewed literature.

• Experienced in porphyry and volcanic massive sulphide ore system science;

4. Trade Agreements

Not Applicable

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

We intend to deal directly with the supplier mentioned in section 10 below as, it is the only known supplier that meets the mandatory criteria set out in section 3 above.

Should Canada receive a statement of capabilities from a supplier that contains sufficient information to indicate that it meets the requirements set forth in this ACAN, a competitive process will be triggered with a technical and financial evaluation methodology of the bids proposed by the potential bidders

6. Exception to the Government Contracts Regulations

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection: 6(d) – “only one person is capable of performing the work).

The identified provider, Memorial University, is the only one able to meet all of the criteria identified in paragraph 3 above.

7. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the proposed contract will vest in the Contractor.

8. Contract Period

The contract period will be from award to October 31, 2018.

9. Estimated Cost

The estimated maximum value of the contract is $87,500.00 inclusive.

10. Name and Address of the Proposed Contractor

Memorial University, Department of Earth Science & Centre for Earth Resources Research. 40 Arctic Ave, St. John's, NL A1B 3X7

11. Suppliers’ right to submit a 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.