Nanopore Sequencer

Trade Agreement: NAFTA / CFTA / FTAs with Peru / Colombia / Panama / Korea
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: 
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd
4 Robert Robinson Avenue
Oxford Science Park
United Kingdom
OX44GA
Nature of Requirements: 

Nanopore Sequencer

39903-200446/A
Loi, Ngan
Telephone No. - (403) 973-2796 
Fax No. - (306) 975-5397

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

For the supply, delivery, and off-loading of one (1) new Nanopore Sequencer for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) located in Winnipeg, MB R3H 1H2.

The product includes:
• Nanopore Sequencer GridION Mk1
• The following kits are required: Flow cells (n=60), sequencing kits (N=10), WASH KITS (N=5)

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

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that its system meets the following requirements:

a) Capable of directly sensing DNA and RNA molecules in its native form
b) Capable of rapid real-time sequencing that allows base-calling as the molecules are being sensed using integrated processing with data beginning to be available for further analysis within about 20-30 minutes of the start of sequencing
c) Capable of obtaining ultra-long reads of more than 100,000 nucleotides
d) Capable of rapid library preparation that can be completed in approximately 10-15 minutes when starting from purified DNA
e) Capable of generating approximately 100GB across 5 flow cells in a single run in 48 hours depending on sample type and quality
f) Linux OS and a minimum of 4TB storage and 64GB RAM for instrument control, data acquisition, accelerator for live base calling
g) User interface and Ethernet for data transfer
h) Ports for monitor, keyboard, and mouse
i) Maximum foot print and weight 40 cm L x 40 cm W x 25 cm H and under 15 kg
j) Capable of running up to 5 flow cells per run to be processed individually or in parallel
k) Digital, online, or print copy of user manual in English
l) Device maintenance, service, and technical support for a minimum of 12 months
m) Three years extended warranty
n) Specifications a through e and j must be on one platform

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement

• Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) 
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Inc. is the only known supplier who can meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s requirement. There are no other known suppliers that meet the Minimum Essential Requirements as outlined in the Statement of Capabilities.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)

The following exception(s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work".

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

The following exclusion(s) and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the:

• Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) - Articles 513.1(b) (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reason.
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Article 1016.2(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.

8. Delivery date 

The system must be delivered on or before March 31, 2020. 

9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract 

The estimated value of the contract is $126,000.00 CAD (GST/HST extra)

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier 

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Inc.
One Kendall Square
Building 1400 Suite 14-305
Cambridge, MA  02139 USA

11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities 

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction 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 December 5, 2019.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: 

Ngan Loi 
A/Procurement Specialist
Public Works and Government Services Canada 
Acquisitions Branch, Western Region 
759, 220 4 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 4X3 

Telephone: 403-973-2796 
Facsimile: 306-975-5397
E-mail address: ngan.loi@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.