In-situ Sensing Technology for Monitoring Microplastics in the Marine Environment

**NEW - May 8, 2020

New attachment has been added. Please read the document as it provides important information pertaining to the submission of your proposal.

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May 5, 2020

• The closing date for this challenge has been extended to May 26, 2020 at 14:00 EDT.

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April 14, 2020

Due to the issues surrounding COVID19, we have decided to extend the solicitation closing date until May 12, 2020.

This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) Call for Proposals 003 (EN578-20ISC3). For general ISC information, Bidders can visit the ISC website.

Please refer to the Solicitation Documents which contain the process for submitting a proposal.

Steps to apply:

Step 1: read this challenge

Step 2: read the Call for Proposals

Step 3: propose your solution here

Challenge title: In-situ sensing technology for monitoring microplastics in the marine environment

CHALLENGE SPONSOR: National Research Council of Canada (NRC)

Funding Mechanism: Contract

MAXIMUM CONTRACT VALUE:

Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.

The maximum funding available for any Phase 1 contract resulting from this Challenge is $150,000.00 CAD excluding applicable taxes, shipping, travel and living expenses, as required, for up to 6 months (excluding submission of the final report).

Estimated number of Phase 1 contracts: 2

The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 contract resulting from this Challenge is $1,000,000.00 CAD excluding applicable taxes, shipping, travel and living expenses, as required, for up to 24 months (excluding submission of the final report). Only eligible businesses that have successfully completed Phase 1 will be considered for Phase 2.

Estimated number of Phase 2 contracts: 1

This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding. Final decisions on the number of Phase 1 and Phase 2 awards will be made by Canada on the basis of factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities and availability of funds.

TRAVEL:  For Phase 1 it is anticipated that two meetings will require the successful bidder(s) to travel to the location identified below:

Kick-off meeting

Ottawa, ON

Final Review Meeting

Ottawa, ON

All other communication can take place by telephone, videoconference, and WebEx.

Challenge Statement Summary

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is seeking an innovative in situ (on site) sensing technology for identification and quantification of microplastics in water, which will enable the development of new techniques for monitoring microplastics in Canadian waters. 

Challenge Statement

Microplastics are plastic particles with characteristic length scales less than 5 mm. These particles constitute a significant proportion of the total quantity of plastic debris in waterways. However, detecting and monitoring microplastics in oceans and waterways is challenging and costly, and typically involves water sampling and laboratory analysis. Practical constraints on the temporal and spatial coverage and resolution of observations that can be achieved using in situ sampling methods limit their usefulness for characterizing the distribution of microplastics in Canadian water environments. Testing methods are not yet standardized and have limitations. NRC is seeking an innovative technology that can measure the characteristics and distribution of microplastic particles in open water settings (coastal waters, estuaries, lakes, rivers). The technology must be capable of deployment to monitor / detect microplastics over scales ranging from tens of meters (rivers) to hundreds of kilometers (open ocean).

The outcome of this challenge will support NRC strategic research goals related to development of advanced monitoring technologies to facilitate improved water quality management, and reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of plastics in waterways. 

Essential Outcomes

The proposed solution must:

1. differentiate plastics from other polymers, or particulate organic/inorganic matters;
2. be capable of providing plastic concentration throughout water column;
3. facilitate concurrent measurement and geolocation;
4. be capable of sensing microplastics in cold water environments, including ice-covered waters;
5. be capable of sensing microplastics in water temperatures up to 30°C (86°F); 
6. be able to work with both internal (built-in) and external battery;
7. have an scalable software for real-time monitoring and post-processing of the data;
8. have ability to resist and operate in in water environments with salinities of up to 40 ppt; and
9. have the ability to transfer data with ease (i.e. via telecommunications, Bluetooth).

Additional Outcomes

The proposed solution should:

1. characterize microplastic particles size, distribution and density;
2. identify and characterize other particulate organic/inorganic matters; and
3. have ability to resist/operate despite biofouling. 

Background & Context

An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the oceans from land annually, harming wildlife, damaging habitat and introducing contaminants into the food chain. These plastics can enter the environment as macroplastics which degrade into microplastics, as fibers shed from synthetic materials, or as microplastic particles (e.g. Microbeads). Microplastics represent a significant threat to ecosystems, human health and the marine water resources that support the ocean economy, which contributes $15 billion to Canada’s GDP. 

Existing methods for detecting and measuring microplastic particles in water environments involve sampling and laboratory testing. Field measurements are therefore time consuming, costly and inefficient. The requirement for laboratory analysis is a barrier to conducting real-time monitoring of the distribution and characteristics of microplastics, which is needed to support effective decision-making to manage and mitigate the impacts of microplastic pollution on human health and aquatic ecosystems. New methods of sensing microplastics in water environments are needed to support monitoring, mitigation and remediation.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments are presently working with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) to develop a comprehensive approach to reduce plastic waste and associated impacts, including the deployment of innovative technologies. Canada has adopted the Oceans Plastic Charter, signed at the 2018 leaders' summit in Charlevoix Quebec, by committing to pursue actions to develop innovative solutions to marine litter, collaborating on research on the sources and fate of plastics, and targeted investments for clean-up activities that prove to be environmentally sound. 

Monitoring and effectively responding to the legacy of plastic pollution in marine and inland water environments is a globally acknowledged challenge. This challenge also represents a unique opportunity for Canadian leadership in developing novel technological solutions to facilitate improved water quality management. Addressing this challenge will directly support the Government of Canada’s agenda to reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of plastics in waterways.

ENQUIRIES

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to TPSGC.SIC-ISC.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca no later than ten calendar days before the Challenge Notice closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.