Optical Spectrometer with InGaAs Camera for measurements of
near-infrared Optical Signals

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited
to bid
Attachment: None
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Government Objectives
Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Gamble Technologies Limited
6535 Millcreek Drive
Unit #71
Mississauga Ontario
Canada
L5N2M2
Nature of Requirements: 
A) Publics Works and Government Services Canada, on behalf of 
the National Research Council Canada (NRC) - Aluminium
Technology Centre (ATC), Chicoutimi,Quebec, Canada, intends to
award a contract with the company "Gamble Technologies Limited,"
Mississauga, Ontario, for the purchase of an optical
spectrometer with InGaAs camera for high-detectivity
measurements of near-infrared optical signals (800 - 1700 nm).


B) Shipping Date: March 30, 2012.


C) The estimated cost of the proposed contract: $53,415.00 CDN
(GST not included).


D) Sole source justification:
1. General description of the need

The Aluminium Technology Centre (ATC) of National Research
Council Canada (NRC) would like to purchase an optical
spectrometer equipped with an InGaAs camera to measure the
optical signals emitted in the near-infrared (wavelengths in the
range of 800 to 1700 nm). The main reason for these measurements
is to improve the reliability of temperature measurements by
optical pyrometry with the Stratonics ThermalViz Imaging
Pyrometer using two spectral intervals in the range of 800 to
1700 nm. 

The spectral signature to be measured is from such optical
sources as plasma induced during welding (e.g. welding by
electric arc or laser) of aluminium and thermal radiation from
hot aluminium parts (temperatures above 500 °C). In either case,
the optical signals can have a high rate of fluctuation and
their intensities must be measured at the wavelengths desired as
simultaneously as possible over the entire spectral range of
800-1700 nm. To this end, signal measurements need to be made
using an InGaAs-type linear multi-element camera. As the
spectral radiation measurements are to be made on moving targets
(e.g. robotic welding), the spectrometer must be equipped with a
standard optical fibre connector.

Low-intensity thermal radiation or plasma lines measurements
require a camera with a high level of detectivity. To this end,
the InGaAs camera would have to be cooled to -90 °C. For safety
reasons, the camera cannot be cooled with liquid gas (e.g.
liquid nitrogen) and, consequently, this type of cooling will
not meet our needs.

2. Technical and technological specifications 

The system NRC-ATC wishes to acquire is the Shamrock 303i
spectrometer equipped with an InGaAs-type DU492A-1.7 camera, a
filter wheel, and a turret with three optical gratings. This
instrument is manufactured by Andor Technology and is only
available from Gamble Technologies in Canada. 

We wish to purchase this system (spectrometer + InGaAs camera +
software for communication between the PC, the spectrometer and
the camera) because it is the only one on the market that meets
all the criteria listed below (1-19 inclusively), which are all
required to successfully conduct NRC-ATC research projects.

Optical spectrometer characteristics
1. Fixed focal length in the range of 250-400 mm.
2. F/4 or better relative aperture.
3. Stray light equal to or better than 0.00003.
4. Possible optical fibre light input (SMA connector) with
variable width entrance slit (at least in the range of 10 µm to
1 mm).
5. The spectrometer must be equipped with a motorised turret
having three optical gratings: resolutions of 50 lines/mm
(grating 1), 150 lines/mm (grating 2), and 1200 lines/mm
(grating 3). This turret must be interchangeable on site of
NRC-ATC 
6. The spectrometer must be equipped with a filter wheel.

InGaAs camera characteristics (as mounted in the spectrometer)
7. InGaAs camera with a 512-pixel, 25.6 mm wide linear sensor,
each pixel being 500 µm (high) x 50 µm (wide). 
8. Thermo-electrical and water cooling with stable (+/- 2 °C)
temperature settings in the range of -20 to -90 °C. The camera
cannot be cooled by using liquid gas.
9. Signal dynamics for camera pixels (minimum pixel well depth)
= 170 Me- or better.  These values are obtained when the camera
is operating in "high-dynamics" mode.
10. Camera dark current maximum of 19 ke-/pixel/s in
high-detectivity mode. This value must be obtained at camera
temperatures equal to or above -90 °C.
11. Signal linearity (for each pixel) = 99 % or better.
12. Camera read noise = 580 e- (typical value in
high-detectivity mode).
13. Quantum efficiency = 80 % (or higher) for all pixels
receiving optical signals in the wavelength range of 960 to 1600
nm, when camera temperature = +25 °C.
14. Quantum efficiency = 70 % (or higher) for all pixels
receiving optical signals in the wavelength range of 900 to 1500
nm, when camera temperature = -90°C.
15. Minimum exposure time = 2 µs or better.
16. Frame rate for camera signal reading (512 pixels) = 190/s or
better.

Computer interface and software characteristics for parameter
settings (one software for all settings)
17. Control software for the spectrometer (turret position,
entrance slit width, spectral band, position of filter wheel)
and all InGaAs camera operating parameters, together.
18. Camera operation optimizing software, according to need, in
particular taking in account the level of signals: optical
signal detection in 'high-detectivity' mode, or detection in
'high-dynamics' mode. The software must also control camera
integration time and frame rate.
19. Simple connection (single link) to PC (not supplied) via USB
2.0 link (or better).

3. References

The supplier shall supply references for two users worldwide of
spectrometers using InGaAs cameras having characteristics 7-16.
These users must have been using their cameras for at least six
months.


4. Warranty and service

A minimum one-year warranty on the entire system, which shall
include the costs of defective parts and, as needed, equipment
repair costs at the supplier's place of business or
supplier-authorized service centre.

The supplier shall guarantee technical support by telephone
and/or Internet, during normal working hours (8:30 AM to 4:30
PM, Quebec-Canada time), Monday to Friday.


5. Documentation

The following documents (French or English) shall be supplied
upon delivery of the system to NRC-ATC: 1) Spectrometer user's
guide, 2) Camera user's guide, 3) Spectrometer and camera
control software user's guide.


6.  Training installation

No training or installation is required. 




E) Exception and Limited Tendering Reason

Government Contracts Regulations (GCR) 
6. Notwithstanding section 5, a contracting authority may enter
into a contract without soliciting bids where exception and
Limited Tendering Reason : 
(d) only one person is capable of performing the contract.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Part Four: Government Procurement, Chapter Ten
Article 1016: Limited Tendering Procedures
2. An entity may use limited tendering procedures in the
following circumstances and subject to the following conditions:
(b) where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the
protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or
proprietary information or where there is an absence of
competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be
supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable
alternative or substitute exists;.

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
Article 506: Procedures for Procurement
12. Where only one supplier is able to meet the requirements of
a procurement, an entity may use procurement procedures that are
different from those described in paragraphs 1 through 10 in the
following circumstances:
(b) where there is an absence of competition for technical
reasons and the goods or services can be supplied only by a
particular supplier and no alternative or substitute exists;


Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, send
your questions by e-mail to the contracting officer at:
marial.tremblay@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca.
Delivery Date: 30/03/2012

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate
with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any
questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting
officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and
agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15)
calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it
intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a
pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or
before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets
the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority
may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of
Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the
ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full
tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available
to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a
statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person
identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this
Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate
how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the
closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the
envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile
transmission, on the covering page.

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.