Semi-Permeable Membrane Device (SPMD) Items

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with
Peru/Colombia/Panama
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited
to bid
Attachment: None
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Environmental Sampling Technologies, Inc.
502 South 5th Street
Saint Joseph, MO  64501
Saint Joseph Missouri
United States
64501
Nature of Requirements: 
Title: SEMIPERMEABLE MEMBRANE DEVICE (SPMD)ITEMS


1.		Purpose of an Advance Contract 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 Requirement
The Department of Environment Canada has a requirement for a
Standing Offer for the the supply and delivery to various
destinations in Canada of Semipermiable Membrane Device (SPMD)
items including:
SPMD Cannisters
SPMD Films with Performance Reference Spikes on Spiders
Replacement Spiders
SPMD Film Blanks

Background and  SPMD Description
Environment Canada is a partner in the Integrated Monitoring
Plan for the Oil Sands. Under this Plan, Environment Canada is
required to engage in water quality monitoring, including the
use of time-integrative passive sampling devices.  SPMDs are
specifically listed as a required monitoring tool for lipophilic
pollutants such as Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, in the Lower
Athabasca Water Quality Monitoring Plan Phase 1, page 30
(Environment Canada and Alberta Environment, 2011a). 
Performance Reference Compounds are also specifically listed as
requirements for SPMD passive sampling tools.  SPMDs are
currently deployed at a number of mainstem Athabasca sampling
stations, and are to be implemented as monitoring tools in
Athabasca tributaries, and also in wetlands of the
Peace-Athabasca Delta, as per the expanded geographic extent
monitoring plan (Environment Canada and Alberta Environment
2011b).

The triolein-filled SPMD provided by EST Labs is a unique
product, designed and patented to provide a controlled and
repeatable absorption of lipophilic substances dissolved in
water.  The passive transport mechanism of these devices is
similar to fish gills or lungs.  The product was originally
designed by the U.S. Geological Survey, and has been on the
market and supported by a research and development background of
better than 20 years.  Only SPMDs are directly linked to
specific USGS Guidelines for Use and "Estimated Water
Concentration Calculator" spreadsheets.  SPMDs are a widely
accepted product, used around the world for monitoring
applications.

The unique aspect of SPMDs is that, with the performance
reference compounds (PRC's) spiked into the triolein matrix, the
contents of the SPMD can be related directly back to the
concentration of substances in the water over the deployment
time.

The Semipermeable Membrane Device (SPMD) is composed of
additive-free low density polyethylene tubing containing a thin
film of a 99% pure, triolein. The polymer contains transport
corridors of less than 10 Å in diameter, allowing for the
selective diffusion of hydrophobic organic chemicals, which are
then held in the triolein (absorption rather than adsorption). 
The SPMD sampler, in conjunction with appropriate, sensitive
analytical techniques, allows achievement of accurate,
reproducible data in the parts per quadrillion level.

Environmental factors such as water flow, temperature, and the
buildup of a biofilm on the sampler's surface can affect the
rate at which chemicals are sampled.  These factors are
site-specific and can greatly reduce the accuracy of the
estimated water concentrations.  To account for these effects,
the performance reference compound (PRC) approach was developed
(Huckins et al, 2002).  Using models previously developed
(Huckins et al, 2006), the average water concentrations of
selected chemicals can be estimated using PRC loss data,
chemical sampling rates (when available), and amounts of
chemicals sampled.  For SPMDs, regression models have been
created which estimate a chemical's site specific Rs and its Cw
based on the log Kow of the chemical, the PRC's release rate
constant (ke) and SPMD-water partition coefficient (Ksw)
(Huckins et al, 2006).

In addition to adding PRCs to the triolein matrix within SPMDs,
it is common to add a photolysis surrogate, a chemical that can
degrade upon exposure to sunlight but has a low fugacity,
therefore, it will not be lost because of diffusion out of the
SPMD during the field exposure.  This allows the effect of
photolysis degradation on compounds of interest to be estimated
for the contents of the SPMDs, producing a more accurate result.
 Other types of membrane devices that do not contain triolein
cannot be "spiked" with either Performance Reference Compounds
or photolysis surrogate.

SPMDs from EST Labs are designed to work with standard USGS
"Estimated Water Concentration Calculator" spreadsheets, to
calculate the estimated water concentration from SPMD data. 
This is a critical aspect of this product, allowing the
time-integrative sampling tool to be directly linked to the
amount of substances dissolved in the water during the
deployment period.

In Addition, EST Labs provides their SPMD films already
stretched on deployment "spiders" or carriers, and sealed in
cans filed with argon gas, to ensure that no contamination of
the films happens during shipment and transport.   Films that
must be stretched by the field technicians would be subject to
greatly increased potential for contamination.  EST Labs
provides stainless steel deployment canisters that the "spiders"
are designed to fit quickly and efficiently into, reducing
handling time and the potential for contamination in the field
during deployment.

References
Environment Canada and Alberta Environment. 2011a. Lower
Athabasca Water Quality Monitoring Plan - Phase 1. Government of
Canada. pp. 88.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/Publications/default.asp?lang=En&xml=1A877B42
-60D7-4AED-9723-1A66B7A2ECE8.

Environment Canada and Alberta Environment. 2011b. Integrated
Monitoring Plan for the Oil Sands - Expanded Geographic Extent
for Water Quality and Quantity, Aquatic Biodiversity and
Effects, and Acid Sensitive Lake Component. Government of
Canada. pp. 102.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=56D4043B-1&news=7AC1E7E
2-81E0-43A7-BE2B-4D3833FD97CE

Huckins, J.N., Petty, J.D., Lebo, J.A., Almeida, F.V., Booij,
K., Alvarez, D.A., Cranor, W.L., Clark, R.C., and Mogensen,
B.B., 2002. Development of the permeability/performance
reference compound approach for in situ calibration of
semipermeable membrane devices: Environmental Science and
Technology, v. 36, p. 85-91.

Huckins, J.N., Petty, J.D., and Booij, K., 2006. Monitors of
organic chemicals in the environment - semipermeable membrane
devices. Springer, New York.

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 product meets the following
requirements:

MUST be able to prove that the Semipermeable Membrane Device is
composed of additive-free low density polyethylene tubing
containing a controlled amount of thin film of 99% pure triolein
and that the polymer contains transport corridors of less than
10 Å in diameter.

MUST be able to prove that the specific standard Performance
Reference Compounds and Photolysis Marker below can be spiked
into the product in equivalent methods and amounts to the EST
Labs products.
a)  Performance Reference Compounds 2µg or 10µg Anthracene-d10
and 2µg or 10µg Fluoranthene-d10)
b)  Photolysis Marker (10µg dibenz[a,h]anthracene-d14).

MUST be able to provide both spiked and unspiked film blanks
from the same lots and at identical levels of product and
quality control as the sampling films.

MUST be able to prove that the USGS has accepted their product
and will verify that it can be used with their standard
"Estimated Water Concentration Calculator" spreadsheets.

MUST be able to demonstrate that films would come pre-stretched
on equivalent carrier structures that can be used with
equivalent deployment canisters to EST Labs products.  
	
4.    	Applicability of the Trade Agreements to the Procurement
This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements:
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 
Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
World Trade Organziations - Agreement on Government Procurement
(WTO-AGP)

5.		Justification for Pre-Selected Supplier 
This supplier is the only known source of supply of required
goods meeting the above mentioned minimum essential requirements.

6.	Government Contracts Regulations Exception
The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations
is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d), in that
only one person or company is capable of performing the contract.

7.	Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons
The following exclusion(s) and/or limited tendering reasons are
invoked under:

Article 1016, Section 2, (b) of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) 
Limited Tendering Procedures - 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; 

Article 506, Section 12(b)of the Agreement on Internal Trade
(AIT)
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: b.where there is an absence of
competition for technical reasons and the goods or services can
be supplied only by a particular supplier and no alternative or
substitute exists;

Article XV, Section 1 (b) of the World Trade Organziations -
Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP)
when, for works of art or for reasons connected with protection
of exclusive rights, such as patents or copyrights, or in the
absence of competition for technical reasons, the products or
services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no
reasonable alternative or substitute exists; (CAP code 71) 

8.	Period of the Proposed Standing Offer
From issuance of a standing offer to March 31, 2016.

9.	Cost Estimate of the Proposed Standing Offer
	$315,000.00 including GST

10.	Name and Address of the Pre-Identified Supplier
	Environmental Sampling Technologies (EST), Inc
502 South 5th Street
Saint Joseph, MO, 64501

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 July 10, 2013 at 02:00 p.m. MDT.

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

 Mony Lee
	Supply Specialist
	Telephone:  (780) 497-3535
	Facsimile:  (780) 497-3510
	E-mail address:  mony.lee@pwgsc-tpgsc.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.