Marine Tissue Samples Analysis

Trade Agreement: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Les Laboratoires Iso-BioKem inc.
367 rue Gratien Gelinas
Rimouski Quebec
Canada
G5M0V1
Nature of Requirements: 

Marine Tissue Samples Analysis

F2402-200173/A
Hemy, Andrew
Telephone No. - (403) 463-6589
Fax No. - (418) 566-6167 

Line 1, GSIN: B002A, Marine Tissue Samples Analysis, Quantity: 1, Unit of Issue: Each, Delivery Date: See Herein

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) 

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of the requirement 

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a requirement to obtain targeted analysis of metabolite content for tissue samples of marine species from experimental studies for evaluation of metabolomic responses to single and/ or combined environmental stressors using hydrophilic interaction chromatography liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC LC-MS). 
The work will involve the following: Provide analysis of content for a suite of 48 representative molecules or metabolites (Table 1) for 1230 prepared tissue samples from marine organisms (mainly invertebrates in the Mollusca group, but may include some samples of Amphipoda and Chordata (Cottoidei fishes; common name Sculpins). The targeted metabolites of interest are primarily those associated with energy metabolism of the cell (aerobic and anaerobic). Sample handling and analyses are to be conducted according to the following approach: 
Apply analysis methods from Hsiao et al. (2018) and Huang et al. (2018) adapted to detect and quantify heat sensitive compounds of interest (Table 1) and to reduce strong sample matrix effects related to marine organisms as follows:
a) Freeze-dry and homogenize marine biological samples. Perform liquid-solid extraction on prepared (freeze-dried and homogenized) tissue samples. Specific sample preparation for marine invertebrates is required to ensure temperature control and integrity of sample extractions using Precellys equipment
b) Identify and quantify (range 500µg/mL to 50 ng/mL) the metabolites described in table 1 with LC-MS/MS in positive and negative analysis.
c) Perform quantification accurately and precisely on large batches of samples (>200). Monitor sensibility and accuracy of the analysis during the batch process using specific internal standards.
To ensure that samples are not subject to damage/deterioration in transit the successful bidder must either be within a 10km radius of Université du Québec à Rimouski where the samples and project collaborators reside and be able to receive prepared samples or prepare the samples themselves as outlined in step a), if they are outside of this radius.
All results to be provided to the project authority in the form of an excel spreadsheet.


Table 1
Analysis Compound
Pos a-aminoadipic acid
Pos a-aminobutyric acid
Pos L-Alanine
Pos Adenosine 5’-monophosphate
Pos L-Arginine
Pos L-Aspartatic acid
Pos ß-aminoisobutyric acid
Pos Betaine
Pos L-Cystine
Pos FAD
Pos D-Glutamic acid
Pos L-Glutamine
Pos Glycine
Pos L-Histidine
Pos Hydroxy-L-proline
Pos L-Isoleucine
Pos L-Leucine
Pos L-Lysine
Pos L-Methionine
Pos NAD
Pos L-Phenylalanine 
Pos DL-Proline
Pos Sarcosine
Pos L-Serine
Pos L-Threonine
Pos L-Tryptophan
Pos L-Tyrosine
Pos L-Valine
Neg Acetyl CoenzymeA
Neg Adenosine 5’-diphosphate
Neg a-ketoglutarate
Neg Adenosine 5’-triphosphate
Neg Cis-aconitic acid
Neg Citrate (sodium)
Neg D-fructose-1.6-biphosphate trisodium 
Neg Fumaric acid
Neg D-(+)-Glucose
Neg D-Glucose-6-phosphate
Neg L-Lactate (sodium)
Neg DL-Malic acid
Neg NADH
Neg NADP
Neg NADPH
Neg Oxaloacetic acid
Neg Phospho(enol)pyruvic acid
Neg Pyruvate (sodium)
Neg Succinate (sodium)
Neg Succinyl-CoenzymeA

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements) 

Experience: The Bidder must have been in continuous business for at least 5 years with specialization the metabolomics and lipidomics profiling and fingerprinting of marine organisms (particularly including a range of marine invertebrates). Bidder must provide a short summary with significant dates that demonstrate at least 5 years continuity in carrying out complex and large size metabolomics and lipidomics profiling and fingerprinting of marine organisms projects, where specific setups are needed to avoid matrix effects due to the saline environment. The bidder must be up to date with the use of cutting-edge equipment and analytical approaches, as well as possess the necessary equipment and expertise required to carry out this kind of analysis. Together the Bidder (as a research team) must possess at least 35 peer reviewed scientific research and methodology articles.
Knowledge, understanding and equipment: The Bidder must demonstrate using analytical process description, the procedures in lab cleanliness, contamination prevention, use of specific equipment for analyses, use of relevant software, knowhow, use and access to a large molecule profiles library. 
The Bidder must possess the necessary cutting-edge equipment and experience to undertake the entire analytical process outlined in section 2. In more detail, the Bidder must posses:
- Specialized equipment for the transport of samples in liquid nitrogen from the origin to the analysis laboratory;
- Specialized homogenizing equipment to work at extremely cold temperatures to avoid marine invertebrates sample deterioration (incl. using liquid nitrogen);
- Equipment for proper storage of samples and standards during, before and after analyses (incl. for example dry shipper, -80°C freezer);
- Dedicated laboratory for sample preparation in a sterile environment as required and necessary (analytical micro and ultra microbalances, Rotovap, Speedvac for up to 150 sample vials for efficient and fast sample preparation);
- LC/MS QQQ equipment for metabolites and lipids screening of samples, including automated sample injectors capable of holding at least 100 samples at 4°C to allow for high throughput analysis while preventing sample deterioration;
- Official Agilent MassHunter data or comparable analysis software to extract data from raw files coupled with custom bioinformatics tools to extract comprehensive datasets adapted to the researchers’ needs;
- Standard operating procedures ensuring minimal variation and maximal repeatability of analyses.

Academic qualifications: The team leader(s) must possess a Ph.D. in marine biology or biology (specialisation in marine biology and marine organisms’ biochemistry) or chemistry (with specialisation in marine organic chemistry and biochemistry). The analyses operator must possess at least a Master’s degree in marine biology or biology (specialisation in marine biology and marine organisms’ biochemistry) or chemistry (with specialisation in marine organic chemistry and biochemistry).
4.  Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement 

      This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement: 
o Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 

This contract requires a lab with experience working with marine tissues. Substantial additional time would be required for other labs who only have experience conducting matabolomic analyses for medical applications. To our knowledge, there are no alternative sources of supply for these services.
6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s) 

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d): Only one person is capable of performing the work.

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons 

a. Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist due to an absence of competition for technical reasons.

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date 
All deliverables are to be received no later than March 31, 2021. 
9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract 

The estimated value of the contract, including option(s), is $75,000-$95,000.00 (GST/HST extra). 

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier 
Iso-BioKem Inc. 
367 Rue Gratien-Gelinas, Rimouski
Quebec, Canada G5M 0V1
11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities 

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services described in the ACAN 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.
12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 
 
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is March 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. MST.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: 

Andrew Hemy
Procurement Officer
Telephone: 403-463-6589
E-mail address: andrew.hemy@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

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.