Plastics Challenge - Recycled Plastic Ceiling Tiles

*** NEW – May 20, 2020

• An attachment has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Challenge.

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May 14, 2020

• The closing date for this challenge has been extended to June 9, 2020 at 14:00 EDT.

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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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April 14, 2020

Due to the issues surrounding COVID19, we have decided to extend the solicitation closing date until May 19, 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: Plastics Challenge - Recycled Plastic Ceiling Tiles

CHALLENGE SPONSOR: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Funding Mechanism: Contract

Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.

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 $600,000.00 CAD excluding applicable taxes, shipping, travel and living expenses, as required, for up to 12 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 is seeking a solution that will contribute to the circular economy by recycling plastic into ceiling tiles and that meet a high safety standard with no chemical emissions. The existing ceiling tiles are drop ceiling mineral acoustical tiles. We need something comparable in acoustical, insulating and fire retardant performance, but made with 100% recycled plastic. 

Problem Statement

The challenge we are facing is global and departmental. Globally, there is an accumulation of plastic with the equivalent of one tonne per person in existence. Considering that less than 9% of the plastic produced between 1950 and 2015 was recycled (source for both stats: https://ourworldindata.org), we are challenged to find ways to recycle plastics much more than is currently being done. Departmentally, we are challenged to procure goods and services that reduce emissions intensity (https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/innovation/greening-government/strategy.html).

With a 10 year renovation underway of one on our buildings, we are seeking building products that are more sustainable. In line with the Greening Government Strategy, we are striving for the renovation of the Lester B. Pearson building to be certified LEED v4 Gold. This requires that we use non-toxic, recycled or reclaimed materials. 100% recycled plastic ceiling tiles would contribute to the departments goals, but also or a broader note, it would meet federal commitments made in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy to increase recycled content in plastic products procured (https://www.fsds-sfdd.ca/index.html#/en/detail/all/keyword:plastic). In addition to meeting the LEED Gold requirements, we have a health and safety obligation to use non-toxic products in our buildings. There are no ceiling tiles currently on the market that are made completely of recycled plastic and that do not produce any chemical emissions. With 6561 employees in 2019 (https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/innovation/human-resources-statistics/population-federal-public-service-department.html), some with chemical sensitivities, we would like to have a non-toxic ceiling tile that we can use in any current or future renovations. As well, with four buildings in the National Capital Region and 178 missions, Global Affairs Canada is potentially a solid customer capable of procuring this product over the long term. 

Outcomes and Considerations

Essential (Mandatory) Outcomes

Proposed solutions must:

1. be a ceiling tile; 
2. be easy to install;
3. be made entirely out of recycled plastic; 
4. not emit harmful chemicals; 
5. be comparable or lighter weight than standard acoustical mineral tile; 
6. reduce noise by 85%; 
7. be attractive enough for use in government office buildings; 
8. be comparable or better in price to the standard acoustical tile on the market currently; 
9. be comparably or better as a fire retardant than standard acoustical tile; and 
10. be comparably or better at insulating than standard acoustical tile; 
11. be recyclable

Background and Context

The Greening Government Strategy states that the federal government will create sustainable workplaces and will divert at least 75% by weight of plastic waste from landfills by 2030. GAC is in the midst of a renovation of the Lester B. Person building, a roughly 41 000 square metre building, and would like to install the most sustainable ceiling tiles possible - a 100% recycled plastic ceiling tile with no chemical emissions. Already on the market is a product that is made of 98% recycled with low chemical emissions, but we are seeking a ceiling tile that is made of 100% recycled plastic and that does not emit any hazardous chemicals. It should meet or exceed the standards of the existing mineral acoustical tiles. There are potential leadership opportunities for Canada if we can develop this product. Around the globe, solutions are being sought to address the plastics problem.

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.