LabVolt Systems

Trade Agreement: CETA / WTO-AGP / CPTPP / 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: 
FESTO DIDACTIQUE LTÉE
675 rue du Carbone
Charlesbourg Quebec
Canada
G2N2K7
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 contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier. 

2. Definition of the requirement 

2.1 The Department of National Defence has a requirement for the supply of 16 Basic Electrical Trainer (BET) systems.  
This modular training system must encompass Basic principles of electricity and electronics, digital and microprocessor electronics, including industrial electronics and communications.   The basic electrical training aids are required for the new Avionics Apprentice Rank Qualification (AVS ARQ) course and will allow the students to practice building logic circuitry. 

2.2  OPTIONAL GOODS:  DND also requires 16 Radar Trainer systems, including the Reconfigurable Training Module (RTM), Radar Synchronizer, and the Radar Host Computer.  At time of original purchase, CAF needs were for an analog radar training system for AVS QL3 training. Current qualification standard for AVS QL3 training requires AVS techs to learn digital radar systems. To meet this training demand, both analog and digital radar systems are required to prepare members for RCAF air maintenance operations.

This system must integrate with existing systems to upgrade the present Radar Training equipment to meet the changes to the avionics Apprentice Rank Qualification (ARQ), specifically those related to Performance Objective (PO) 406.02.11 Digital MTD Processing Exercise Check. The Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) has equipment that only covers the analog portion of the radar lesson. The equipment modification would allow CFSATE to teach the digital requirement of the lesson. The equipment upgrade consists of three pieces, namely the Radar Host Computer, the Reconfigurable Training Module (RTM) and the Radar Synchronizer / Antenna Controller of Radar Trainer model 8096-00 currently installed.

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

3.1 Basic Electrical Trainer (BET) System: 
• The hardware components of the training systems must be completely safe and designed for durability. 

• Circuits must allow for introduction of faults to teach real-world troubleshooting. 

• Allow for performing experiments on a wide range of electronics and electricity training modules that combine theory and application with practical skill-training techniques. 

Functional and performance criteria:
• Durable construction integrating mechanical components capable of thousands of cycles of operation. 
• Voltage regulation and protection against over-voltage and short-circuit conditions for safety in training. 
• Minimal wiring required to save lab time. 
• Variety of industrial-grade components that provides broad, hands-on, real-world training experience. 
• Student-controlled and computer-activated circuit modification capability. 
• Fault-insertion capability to teach troubleshooting. 
• Comprehensive curriculum. 
• A Learning Content Management System (LCMS) that seamlessly integrates with base units. 
• Gold-plated zero insertion force (ZIF) connector technology. 
The Basic Electrical Trainer system must allow for instruction and performance checks on the following topics:
• Basic Electricity & Electronics 
• Digital and Microprocessor Electronics 
• Industrial Electronics 
• Communications Systems 

System Specifications
Manual Base Unit with Built-In Power Supply

Parameter:  Value
Power Requirements Service Installation Standard single-phase ac outlet

Voltage: 100-250 V ac
Current: 0.4-0.65 A
Frequency: 50/60 Hz

Physical Characteristics
Intended Location:  On a table able to support the weight of the equipment

Dimensions (H x W x D) : 152 x 305 x 356 mm

3.2 Radar Trainer systems
This system must integrate with existing systems to upgrade the current Radar Trainer equipment model 8096-00, with the following equipment:

 1. Reconfigurable Training Module (RTM)
 2. Radar Synchronizer / Antenna Controller
 3. Radar Host Computer

Functional and performance criteria:
• Real radar training system that operates safely inside a classroom or lab 
• Realistic, high-gain parabolic antenna for high azimuth (angular) resolution 
• Several subsystems allow delving into specific topics to expand knowledge and skills 
• Innovative design combining real-world radar with the power of modern surveillance technology 
• Computer-based control of the radar’s processing and display functions 
• Comprehensive courseware and system level training with lab exercises 
• Fault-insertion capability for the teaching of troubleshooting 
• Turnkey, cost-effective training solution including instrumentation 
• Powerful DSP, FPGA, and Data Acquisition System for Digital Analysis 
• Can expand and complete existing telecommunication programs (satellite, antenna, microwave, etc.) 
• Total program duration: more than 195 hours (all subsystems) 
The upgraded Radar Trainer system must allow for instruction and performance checks on the following topics:
• Principles of Radar Systems 
• Analog MTI Processing 
• Digital MTD Processing 
• Tracking Radar 
• Radar in an Active Target Environment 
• The Phased Array Antenna
System Specifications
Parameter     Value
Power Requirement
Current     10 A
Frequency Range    8-10 GHz
Output Power Density at Horn
CW Mode     0.02 mW/cm²
Maximum Range 
(Equiv. RCS of Target: 1 m²)  Typically more than 8 m (26 ft)
Range  1.8 m (5.9 ft), 3.6 m (11.8 ft), 7.2 m (23.6 ft), switch selectable
Range Resolution    Typically 15 cm (6 in)
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions     About 8 m² (86 ft²)

Reconfigurable Training Module (RTM)
The Reconfigurable Training Module (RTM) must have and allow for the following functionality:

1.  Digital signal processor (DSP)
2.  Three slots on the module for installing additional interface modules. 
3.  Ethernet port (RJ-45) connector allowing connection of the RTM to the host computer. 
4.  Power supply.

Specifications

Parameter    Value
Interface Card Slots
Analog/Digital    2
Digital     1

Analog Inputs (4)
Voltage Range    ±10 V
Impedance    600 O

Analog Outputs (4)  
Voltage Range    ±10 V
Impedance    600 O

A and B Auxiliary Outputs
Voltage Range    ±10 V
Impedance    600 O

C and D Auxiliary Outputs
Voltage Range    ±3.0 V
Impedance    8 O
Data Link to Host Computer  10 Mb/s (Ethernet) or 100 Mb/s (Fast Ethernet), TCP/IP Protocol

Physical Characteristics
Dimensions (H x W x D)  215 x 430 x 280 mm (8.5 x 16.9 x 11.0 in)

Radar Synchronizer / Antenna Controller

The Radar Synchronizer / Antenna Controller must have and allow for the following functionality:

1.  PRF generator equipped with push buttons to select the PRF and either single or staggered mode.

2.  Two sets of outputs are used for synchronization, one at the selected PRF and one at 1024 times the selected PRF.

3.  Three control modes for the radar antenna: manual mode, where speed (clockwise or counterclockwise) is manually controlled; PRF locked mode, must allow for synchronizing the rotation of the antenna to the system PRF; and SCAN/TRACK mode for 120-degree scanning.

4.  A three-digit display that can be switched to show antenna position or speed.

Specifications

Parameter     Value
Radar Synchronizer
PRF      12, 18, 144, 216, 288 Hz
Mode      Single, Staggered
Outputs A & B    TTL
Antenna Controller
Antenna Rotation Speed Range  0 to 15 r/min.
Azimuth Output    10-bit TTL
Output Voltage Range   -15 to +15 V max.
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions (H x W x D)   112 x 330 x 300 mm (4.4 x 13 x 11.8 in)

4. Applicability of the trade agreements to the procurement 
This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) 

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 
Lab Volt Radar Analog trainers were procured 10 years ago. Lab Volt training systems are based upon a building block philosophy wherein basic systems are available with advanced/modernized “Plug in” options.  Rather than acquiring complete new Lab Volt systems or an entirely different product to train new technology, this requirement can be realized with an upgrade to existing Lab Volt Trainers.

At time of original purchase, CAF needs were for an analog radar training system for AVS QL3 training.

Current qualification standard for AVS QL3 training requires AVS techs to learn digital radar systems. To meet this training demand, both analog and digital radar systems are required to prepare members for RCAF air maintenance operations.

To upgrade the existing system, only three components are needed instead of procuring new systems.

Enhancing the present Lab Volt system will provide:

- Economy of effort in training staff, as they are already trained and familiar with the existing Lab Volt equipment. A minor level of effort will be required to become familiar with its digital aspects.
- Courseware (Master Lesson Plans, assessments, practical exercises) will only need to be modified vs creating new material (significant level of effort).

Festo Didactic Ltée has proprietary rights to software and associated hardware and is able to provide a mechanism of upgrading the current equipment without the need to replace systems in their entirety. Staff familiarity with the equipment will minimize prep time to enable imminent adoption of expanded curriculum.  

6.   Government Contracts Regulations Exception 
The following exception 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 exclusions and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the:
 
Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) - Article(s) 513 (b): (ii) and (v) 

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Article 1016 (b) and (d)

COMPREHENSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE AGREEMENT FOR TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (CPTPP)
Article 15.10 2. (b) (ii) and (c) (i)

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT (WTO-AGP)
Article XIII 1. (b) (ii) and (c) (i)

CANADA-EUROPEAN UNION COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC AND TRADE AGREEMENT (CETA)
Article 19.12 1b. ii.

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date All goods must be delivered on or before 31 March 2020. Optional goods must be delivered within 30 days of exercising the option.

9. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier 
Festo Didactic Ltée
675 Carbone St.
Québec, QC, Canada  G2N 2K7

10. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities 
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods 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.

11. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is indicated in the posting. 

12. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:  Lori Rombough, Supply Specialist
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Acquisitions Branch
Address: 86 Clarence Street
Kingston, ON   K7L 1X3
Telephone:  613-545-8061
Facsimile:  613-545-8067
E-mail address: lori.rombough@pwgsc.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.