Eco-Friendly Waste Converter

**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 28, 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 14, 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: Eco-friendly Waste Converter

CHALLENGE SPONSOR: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

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 $750,000.00 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

Problem Summary Statement

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is seeking a simple and eco-friendly way to lower emissions and reduce impact on the environment while managing refuse at GAC sites in Canada and abroad. Solutions currently exist for recyclables and compostables, but GAC is seeking a solution for the waste that is going to landfill.

Problem Statement

GAC is looking for a solution to treat the waste that it produces, that is neither compostable nor recyclable, with the objective of lowering its emissions and reducing what is sent to landfills. The intent is to manage the Department’s refuse as three streams: recyclable, compostable, and waste that can be converted into fuel, thermal energy, and/or a usable product. Solutions sought through this challenge would support the third stream. Ideally, any materials that are not recyclable or compostable would become fuel or thermal energy for providing heat and hot water in GAC facilities, or a usable product. The solution will also use the waste to fuel its own operation. Treatment of waste on site will reduce haulage and use of landfill, will help lower Green House Gas (GHGs) emissions, reduce use of fossil fuels and reduce the related effects on the environment. 

Solutions will enable GAC to improve on its current waste management and allow for onsite and environmentally friendly alternatives that minimize the amount of product that must be transported off site. Ultimately, solutions would be deployable within Canada and where needed. It may be that, to achieve the above, the initial phase in developing solutions will require an analysis of current waste production at the 125 Sussex GAC campus in Ottawa.

Essential (Mandatory) Outcomes

Proposed solutions must:

1. be able to convert some of the garbage into energy to operate and the rest into a usable product
2. be portable (i.e. ensure ease of regular movement by truck or something smaller to different locations)
3. be user friendly (i.e. the program or mechanisms for its operation should be easy to understand and operate by the staff that will be placed in charge of them)
4. be waterproof and able to function in extreme temperatures (- 35 degrees Celsius to +35 degrees Celsius) to accommodate the various seasons during the course of the year
5. result in fewer CO2 emissions than a garbage truck for the same volume of garbage
6. be able to process one 7-16 gallon-bag of garbage at a time
7. be easily cleaned and have removable containers/basins that can be used to catch and transfer the product to wherever it will be used
8. not release toxic fumes that will pollute the environment
9.  be able to fuel their own operation using waste

Background and Context

GAC buildings within the National Capital Region produced approximately 350 tonnes of waste in the last fiscal year. Of this, approximately 137 tonnes, or 39%, was sent to landfill. In the Greening Government Strategy, the goal is to reduce waste sent to landfill to 25% or less of the total waste produced. 

At least 14 trucks a week are servicing GAC buildings in the National Capital Region for waste collection. GAC and the Government of Canada have identified a need to reduce waste, including the waste involved in the collection process. Contemporary waste management practices are no longer acceptable and need modernizing to better safeguard the environment. At each building in our missions (over 100) around the world trucks are also collecting refuse. On-site solutions could be employed in many of these to reduce haulage, GHG emissions and landfill use and, thereby, significantly reducing adverse environmental effects from GAC operations. Solutions, such as gasifiers, on the market today do not meet GAC's needs sufficiently. We require something that will be fueled by waste destined for landfill.. Furthermore, we would like something that is big enough to efficiently break down waste yet be portable. Finally, the solution must not release toxic fumes that will pollute the environment. 

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.