Support Scientifique Phase E OSIRIS-REx

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Competitive Procurement Strategy: 
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) Explanation

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, thecontracting officer may then proceed with the award. 


2. Definition of Requirement

Background

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has a requirement to provide scientific support for the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) instrument onboard the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample mission. This mission was launched in September 2016 and, after a two year cruise, will arrive at the asteroid Bennu in mid-2018. The spacecraft will then use its onboard sensors (including OLA) to study the asteroid for approximately two years and select a sampling site, ultimately collecting a sample in mid-2020. The sample will be returned to Earth in 2023.

During the asteroid encounter, OLA will be used to generate three-dimensional shape models of the asteroid at global and local scales. These data products will be used to set context for subsequent geological interpretation and to aid in selecting a safe sampling site. To support the mission requirements and meet Canada’s obligations, the Crown must ensure that the appropriate observations are collected, that the data are processed appropriately, and that the final data products are delivered in a timely fashion during mission operations.

The work will involve the following:

(1) Operations Training: preparing for the asteroid encounter by familiarizing and certifying the users on the various tools and techniques that will be used for science data collection by the Science Processing and Operations Center (SPOC) at the University of Arizona.
(2) Operations Support: OLA commanding and sequencing, health and trending analysis, instrument anomaly investigations, data analysis and archiving.
(3) Support to CSA Communications: provision of expert support to CSA communications products regarding the OSIRIS-REx mission.


3. Minimum Essential Requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements. At a minimum, the supplier must demonstrate that it has:

(1) Status as a Co-Investigator on the OSIRIS-REx science team;
(2) Membership on the OSIRIS-REx Altimetry Working Group;
(3) An intimate understanding of the OSIRIS-REx science objectives and mission requirements;
(4) Extensive knowledge about the OLA instrument design and performance;
(5) Capabilities to download, process, and archive OLA data as required by the mission.

Security Requirements

The supplier must demonstrate that it is registered by the Canadian Controlled Goods Program.


4. Applicability of Trade Agreements

Research and Development is not included in the Trade Agreements with regards to the following dispositions:

World Trade Organization on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP): Article 1, Appendix 1, Annex 4, note 3a; 
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):  Part IV, Chapter 10, Annex 1001.1b-2, Section B, par A;
Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT): Chapter 5, Annex 502;
Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA): Part III bis, Chapter K bis, Annex K bis-01.1-4, Section B, Part 1- A;
Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA): Chapter 14, Annex 1401.1-4, section B, Part 1- A;
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCOFTA): Chapter 14, Annex 1401-4, Section B, Part 1- A;
Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement (CPAFTA): Chapter 16, Annex 5, Section B, Part 1, A;
Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement (CHFTA): Chapter 17, Annex 17.4, Section B, Part 1- A;
Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA): Chapter 14, Annex 14-C, par 3a).


5. Government Contracts Regulation Exception

The following exemption to the Government Contracts Regulation is invoked for this requirement under Part 1, subsection 6, (d): Only one person or firm is capable of performing the Contract.


6. Limited Tendering Reason

The pre-selected supplier has been identified as the only supplier capable of meeting the government’s requirements. York University has unique knowledge and experience in working with the OLA instrument and processing its data to meet the needs of the OSIRIS-REx mission.

7. Period, Estimated Value, and Proposed Contract Terms

The proposed Task Authorization Contract period is for a period of 14 months from December 1st 2016 to March 31, 2018 with three (3) options to extend the Contract period by one (1) year each. The estimated valueof the Contract, including optional periods, is $5,099,141.25 (including applicable taxes). 

For the proposed Task Authorization (namely “as and when requested”) Contract, a minimum guarantee of $1 019 828.25 of the cost incurred in accordance with the Basis of Payment and Statement of Work will apply. 


8. Foreground Intellectual Property

The Contractor will retain ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of all and any work including under the proposed Contract.

9. Proposed Contractor

York University
4700 Keele St.
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3

10. Supplier’s right to submit a statement of capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the Contracting Authority 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. Submission of a Statement of Capabilities: closing date

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is October 17th, 2017 at 2PM Advanced Eastern Time


12. Contracting Authority, Inquiries, and Submission of a Statement of Capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to the following address:

Public Works and Government Services Canada
Place Bonaventure, portail Sud-Est
800, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest
7ième étage
Montréal, Québec H5A 1L6

Att.: Caroline Niquette
Telephone: 514-496-3730
Facsimile: 514-496-3822
E-Mail: caroline.niquette@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

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.