Isotopic (del18O) analyses of sea ice and seawater marine samples

Procurement Hub – Fredericton

301 Bishop Drive

Fredericton, NB E3C 2M6

16 January 2019

F5211-180725

ADVANCED CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE

TITLE: Isotopic (del18O) analyses of sea ice and seawater marine samples

ACAN:

The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government’s intention to award a contract for these services to Université du Québec à Montréal, Centre de recherche GEOTOP, 1430 rue Saint-Denis, C.P.8888, Succursale centre-ville, Montréal, Qc, H3C 3P8 Canada. 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 ACAN posting period.

If other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during this ACAN posting period that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will proceed to a full tendering process on either GETS 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.

INTRODUCTION:

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) requires a Contractor to analyse sea-ice and/or water column samples for delO18 isotopic composition using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer. The results, paired with existing salinity and temperature data, will provide crucial information on the water mass composition and circulation in the area, and will be linked to the ecosystem health analyses as dictated by the DFO mandate.

BACKGROUND:

Samples were previously collected as part of Arctic ecosystem studies for regulatory and co-management processes. The data from the samples have been identified as key food web and environmental parameters for assessing ecosystem processes. A Contractor is required to conduct specialized analyses for the measurement of these samples.

OBJECTIVES:

The main objective of the work is to analyze sea-ice and/or water column samples for del18O isotopic composition using an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer and provide raw and final data.

WORK REQUIREMENT:

The Contractor must complete and deliver the following items:

• Analyze up to a maximum of 1100 samples for del18O (ratio of stable isotopes of oxygen-18 and oxygen-16) using an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer - IRMS)
• Sub-sample necessary amount for injection on IRMS, and return the remainder of the samples to DFO’s Marine Productivity Laboratory in Winnipeg (shipping costs will be covered by the Marine Productivity Laboratory)
• Process and analyze samples according to established protocols for IRMS analysis of Arctic sea-ice (melted) and seawater samples.
• Provide raw and final data for del18O (ratio of stable isotopes of oxygen-18 and oxygen-16). The final data must correspond to the same sample names.

In addition, raw and final data for each sample must be submitted to the Project Authority in electronic format (i.e. excel file).

All deliverables must be submitted to the Project Authority by March 10, 2019.

MANDATORY CRITERIA:

• The Contractor must have extensive (>10 years) experience carrying out oxygen isotopic analyses of Arctic marine and freshwater samples using dual-inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometry.
• The Contractor must have expert status for establishing delO18VSMOW reference values with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• The Contractor must be legally registered in Canada.

ESTIMATED VALUE

The total value of the contract shall not exceed $22,000.00 excluding all applicable taxes for the firm period from contract award to 31 March 2019. Option Year 1 is estimated at $22,000.00 (excluding applicable taxes) and Option Year 2 is estimated at $22,000.00 (excluding applicable taxes).

TRADE AGREEMENTS APPLICABILITY OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS:

No Trade Agreements apply.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTION AND LIMITED TENDERING REASONS:

The following policy requirements are applicable to this ACAN process:

Applicable Exceptions to Soliciting Bids under the Government Contracting Regulations (GCRs) (Section 6):

Section 10.2.1 Section 6 (d) only one person or firm is capable of performing the work applies to this ACAN for the following reasons:

-There are no known alternative sources of supply. It is feasible and affordable to compete the requirement.

CONTRACT PERIOD:

The period of the contract is from contract award to 31 March 2019 inclusive. The contract will include 2 option years, to be activated at the discretion of DFO.

Firm period: contract Award to 31 March 2019

Option Year 1: 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020

Option Year 2: 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2121

SUPPLIER’S RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services described herein, must submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing to the Contracting Officer identified in this Notice on or before closing date. The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:

31 January 2019 at 2:00 p.m. (AST)

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Hannah State 

A/Team Lead – Contracting Services

Procurement Hub – Fredericton

Telephone: (506) 429-2622

Email: DFOtenders-soumissionsMPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca