HIGH-DIMENSIONALITY COLORIMETRIC ARRAYS FOR MICROBIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTION-IDENTIFICATION

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Competitive Procurement Strategy: 
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

1. TITLE

HIGH-DIMENSIONALITY COLORIMETRIC ARRAYS FOR MICROBIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTION-IDENTIFICATION

2. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

There is no security requirement applicable to the Contract.

3. REQUIREMENT

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) - Suffield Research Centre (SRC) has an opportunity to develop and exploit an inexpensive and versatile detector, based on high-dimensionality colorimetric arrays, essentially a test panel of responsive indicators arranged on a disposablefilter paper fragment. The chemical nature of the responsive indicators is such that within a selection of 50-100 such indicators, millions of unique responses are possible, and unknown compounds will cause an unpredictable, but reproducible response. DRDC intends to collaborate on the development of such a device, by building a comparator library of known samples, against which unknowns can be tested.   

To this end, DRDC SRC has been exploring the utility of non-electronic passive sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC may be produced by bacterial cells in culture or chemical compounds in the environment.  The sensors are generally described as having multiple differentially responsive elements (10-100), having a response profile predominantly in the range of visible light, in a small array (less than 10 cm2 in size, printed onto paper or membrane surfaces). Alternative small formats would be acceptable (e.g. plastic surfaces, stiffened membranes). The intended use of the arrays is ina variety of holders or vessels, which may be used to grow or capture various unknowns.
The main challenge of such a system is the ability to rapidly analyse and interpret the response of the array to any exposure. It is anticipated that the array provider will also have analytical tools either ready to use, cloud based, or in prototype.

4. PERIOD OF THE CONTRACT

The estimated period of the contract is from date of award to March 31, 2019

5. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Mandatory technical evaluation criteria are included in Annex “D”.

A bid must comply with the requirements of the bid solicitation and meet all mandatory technical evaluation criteria to be declared responsive. The responsive bid with the lowest evaluated price will be recommended for award of a contract.

6. OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Any intellectual property arising from the performance of the Work under the Contract will vest in the Contractor.
Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.