RH-10 Capillary Rheometer - NRC, Boucherville, Quebec, Canada

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: 
PANALYTIQUE INC./ PANALYTICAL
4995 Levy
St-Laurent Quebec
Canada
H4R2N9
Nature of Requirements: 
A) Publics Works and Government Services Canada, on behalf of 
National Research Council Canada (NRC), Boucherville,Quebec,
Canada, intends to award a contract with the company "Malvern
Instruments Canada, a division of PANalytical Canada", Montreal,
Quebec, Canada for the purchase of a capillary flow rheometry,
model RH-10.


Delivery Date: March 29, 2013.


C) The estimated cost of the proposed contract: between $40,000
to $50,000.


D) Sole source justification:

Context :
1-	Capillary flow rheometry is a basic measurement technique
intended to evaluate the materials responses (polymers,
biopolymers, composites materials) to extrusion pressure in the
range of shear rates, temperatures and environments experienced
during processing.

2-	Within the framework of the industrial biomaterials flagship
carried out at the Boucherville site of NRC, it is imperative to
get a global understanding of new materials behavior.  The
capillary flow rheometry technique is an essential part of this
understanding. 

3-	NRC must replace its current outworn and obsolete capillary
rheometer version that reached its end-of-life since
manufacturer no more offers support and update).  NRC current
RH-7 rheometer was originally bought in 1992.

The proposed replacement must met specific analysis requirements
imposed by our new rheological orientations, which includes: 
a.	 Melt strength measurements and software interpretation
facilities specifically design by Malvern Instrument Ltd to fit
existing hardware from our current RH-7 instrument.  
b.	A PVT accessory (comprises special design piston tip and die
assembly for sealing the capillary barrel) to evaluate
material's relationship between Pressure/Volume/Temperature. 

Requirements:
1-	Supply a research grade capillary flow measurement apparatus
intended to perform high temperature testing.  The supplier must
offer technical and IT support as well as a full coverage
warranty on parts and labor for a year. 

2-	Technical specification required :
a.	A 15mm bore, nitride steel,  twin bore barrels  
b.	Precise sample temperature control using three independent
zone heaters, 
c.	Integral fume chamber with extraction to vent sample gases,
d.	Nitrogen purge option availability for testing in a dry,
inert atmosphere 
e.	Open design below barrel exit to accommodate optional
accessories such melt strength (Haul Off) 
f.	Software compatibility is imperative and must allow retrieval
of .rtd data format files.
g.	Rigid 'H' frame design for compliance-free measurements in
transient tests  with a high force range (up to 100kN)

3-	Existing part to be reused or replaced

As previously stated, NRC already owns a Malvern Instruments Ltd
early rheometer version (RH-7).  The replacement must be
compatible with existing hardware accessories that will be
reused or otherwise replaced.  The targeted accessories are:

-	Bronze piston tips (quantity : 10)
-	15mm diameter extrusion pistons (quantity :(4)
-	Dynisco type pressure transducer - measurement range : 500 PSI
to 20000 PSI (quantity : 8)
-	15mm o.d. Tungsten carbide capillaries - precision ±5µm  - of
different lengths and diameters (0.5 to 30mm length and 0.5 to
3mm diameter) with 90° and 180° entrance angle (quantity : 30)
-	Cleaning and calibration tools(gage go/no go)
-	PVT measurements accessories (hardware and software)

The experimental needs and required specifications propose
Malvern Instrument Ltd as the sole supplier for this unit
replacement.  To the best of our knowledge, no other supplier
can provide the acute tools, measurement accessories, software
and add-on needed compatibility.    It is essential to have a
backward compatibility with data files collected over the years
using different software versions. 

In short, by using our current parts and accessories from the
older system, a potential replacing cost saving for NRC of more
than 50,000.00$ is foreseeable. 

Finally, Malvern Instruments Ltd presented a fully loaded
demonstrator unit offer to NRC that included an important
discount compared to a new unit loaded with the require options
and hardware. 

To our knowledge, no other supplier can offer NRC such
conditions to replace our current research grade capillary
rheometer.


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:
(d) for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are
intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for
existing supplies, services or installations, or as the
extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where
a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure
equipment or services not meeting requirements of
interchangeability with already existing equipment or services,
including software to the extent that the initial procurement of
the software was covered by this Chapter;

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:
(a) to ensure compatibility with existing products, to recognize
exclusive rights, such as exclusive licences, copyright and
patent rights, or to maintain specialized products that must be
maintained by the manufacturer or its representative;


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: 28/03/2013

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.