Spectrometer

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Government Objectives Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
ISOSPARK CANADA INC.
2298 Chemin St-François
Dorval Quebec
Canada
H9P1K2
Nature of Requirements: 

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 contractingofficer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier. 

2.Requirement

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) on behalf of its client, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, intends to enter into a contract with Isospark Analytical Solutions for the provision of a spectrometer. The requested delivery date for the requirement is 2017-03-31. 

3.Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services, or construction services described in this 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 mustclearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

MANDATORY CRITERIA

An automatic simultaneous measuring optical emission spectrometer with an inductively coupled plasma excitation source and semiconductor detector system is required for the quantitative and/or semi quantitative spectrochemical elemental analysis of a variety of liquid samples related to agriculture research.

The replacement ICP-OES must be able to support agriculture research projects for the next 15-20 years. It is desirable to purchase an instrument with the greatest capabilities that will deliver the highest precision and accuracy to enable science groups to deliver innovative research results into the future.

The entire system (optics/coil/generator) must be air cooled to eliminate the cost and maintenance of an external water chiller/cooling system 

Optical System:

Must use a direct light path without additional deflections of the light beam, therefore reducing the amount of stray light within the optic and increasing the accuracy and sensitivity of the wavelength measurements.

Must be of a Paschen-Runge spectrometer mount, employing the Optimized Rowland Circle Alignment (ORCA) technique. Consisting of two hollow section cast shells,optimized small volume and 32 linear CCD detectors, the wavelength between 130 and 770 nm can be simultaneously analyzed.

Must use first order light and have a uniform resolution of 8.5 picometres from 130 nm to 340 nm, giving the capability to resolve complex line rich matrices and enable low limits of detection at low element concentrations. Several elements of interest in agriculture related samples have interference free emission lines in the UV/VUV wavelength range.

Must be permanently filled with recirculating Argon gas, ensuring high stability throughout and particularly in the UV/VUV wavelength ranges. This is preferred to systems that consume costly purge gas on a constant basis, and eliminating the time required purging the optics prior to start up. 

The light tube (Radial View) and the Optical Plasma Interface (OPI) (Axial View) must have, a low flow Argon purge enabling the complete optical path to be free from oxygen to minimizes UV/VUV wavelength absorbance.  This provides stability and sensitivity for emission lines in the 130 to 190 nm range.  Many elements of interest in agriculture research samples have excellent emission lines in this range.   For example Sulfur 180.731, Phosphorus 177.495.

Plasma Interface Options:

The analyst must be able to switch from true radial to true axial viewing and vice versa with ease. Dual-View systems are not acceptable.

Axial view plasma observation increases sensitivity for trace analysis.   There is a need to be able to determine trace metal (microgram/litre) concentrations of potential pollutants in many agriculture related samples such as water, surface water, run-off water, waste water.

Radial view plasma observation provides added linear range, accuracy and precision forhigher concentrations and major component determinations by reducing matrix interferences for the determination of elements in routine samples.  

The instrument must be able to tolerate up to 30 % total dissolved solids in radial view and 20 % total dissolved solids in axial view.  Many agriculture related samples are high in dissolved solids.  
An instrument that can tolerate dissolved solids without affecting sensitivity and accuracy of the results saves time and money.  This eliminates the need to filter or dilute samples and the need to re-analyze.

The instrument must be able to achieve the following sensitivities: 

  ? [nm]                       LOD (3s) [µg/L]

Al 167.076                     0.05
As 189.042                     0.1 (without Hydride Generation)
Br 154.065                     26
Cl 134.724                     30
Hg 184.950                    0.6 (without Hydride Generation)
P 177.495                    0.85
Pb 168.215                    0.95
S 180.731        2
Se 196.090                    1.3 (without Hydride Generation)
Zn 213.856                    0.055
  
The replacement instrument must not be greater than the following dimensions:

Must not be greater than 43”(H) x 63”(W) x 30”(D) inches.
• Weight must not be greater than 530 lbs.
• Exhaust system required must not be greater than 2 x 177 (cft/min).

The instrument must be compatible with the existing CETAC ASX 520 autosampler.

Requirement includes installation and training (one AAFC staff member)

4. Applicability of the Trade Agreement(s) to the procurement 

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s):
Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), 

5.Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

Isospark Analytical Solutions is considered to be the only known source that complies with all the essential qualifications listed above and is capable of providing the good. 

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  
None: 

8. Deliverables
Period of proposed contract: Requested delivery date of 2017-03-31.

Estimated Value: $ 175,350.00.00 CAD including applicable taxes

9. Pre-identified Supplier:

Isospark Analytical Solutions
2298 Chemin St-François 
Dorval, QC
H9P1K2

Contracting Authority:
Andrea Major
andrea.major@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
(403) 612-6224
fax (403) 292-5786
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.