FLEXIVENT SYSTEM

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama
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: 
DSI Data Sciences International
119 14th St NW
Suite 100
St Paul Minnesota
United States
55112
Nature of Requirements: 

FLEXIVENT SYSTEM

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 
The Department of Health has a requirement for the supply and installation of quantity 1 x Flexivent system, plus user training for at least 6 persons. The Centre for Biologics Research of the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate (BGTD) requires the regulatory research division, as part of the mandate, to conduct research on various biologics. The Regulatory Research Division of the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate (BGTD) requires a Flexivent system to execute pulmonary function assessments on mice and cotton rats as part of future studies in evaluating vaccine-induced enhanced respiratory disease as part of the BGTD mandate.

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: 
• Patented (Patent US 6902532 B2) Halcyon Plethysmograph Chambers - Our respiratory vaccine experiments require a high degree of sensitivity and accuracy to measure changes in the lung capacity of mice and rats. The patented (Patent US 6902532 B2) Halcyon Plethysmograph chambers reduce environmental noise by an approximate factor 20. 
• Automated flow rate reduction during exposure and low bias flow noise - A constant flow of fresh air, also called bias flow goes through the chamber to maintain stable physical conditions. This bias flow would also carry out the aerosol quickly and impacting the efficacy of the aerosol. Therefore the Buxco control unit is automatically reducing the bias flow during the exposure periods.  Whole Body Plethysmographs need to be supplied with bias flow, for the well-being of the subject. This constant airflow in to and out of the chamber, needs to be very constant so that variations in bias flow are not mistaken for changes in the animals respiration. The Fine Pointe bias flow controllers have ultra-low noise performance, achieved through sophisticated electronic control.  Specification:    Bias Flow Signal Noise = 0.015 LMP coefficient of variation /   Bias Flow Peak to Peak = 0.045 LPM.  
• Auto Diagnostics - A series of system self-checks that identify mechanical or electrical problems. Reported error messages give users actionable information to resolve connection mistakes, leaks, or degraded sensor performance. 
• Auto-Calibration - Proper calibration is vital to generating reproducible and credible results. Conventionalplethysmography (chamber) calibration is time-consuming and error prone because it involves delivery of a known volume of air via manual injection using a syringe, where it is difficult to achieve homogeneous delivery and manually turning amplifier knobs. The FinePointe controller automates the volume injection and amplifier adjustment and uses a calibration column to ensure repeatable and consistent results between individual plethysmographs and studies. 
• Smart Integration - Plethysmography systemsare complex; requiring synchronization between mechanical and electrical systems controlling air flow, aerosol delivery, varied sensors, amplifiers, and power supplies, all connected together with tubes, cables and cords. FinePointe controllers combine these major components into a sleek control box, saving space and making experimental set-up quick. Users can control experiments using control panel keys or through the software interface. 
• Nebulizer calibration - Vibrating mesh nebulizer efficiency varies between individual nebulizers and degrades over time. FinePointe software has a quick method of measuring individual nebulizer efficiency and storing this value for the duration of the experiment. Users can set both the volume and the duration of aerosol delivery and the controller will adjust the nebulization rate based on the measured efficiency.   
• Gas Automation - Up to 4 different gases can be switched by software, and integrated through controller into chambers. 

4. Applicability of thetrade agreements 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 
The Flexivent system is the only system that meets all of the minimum essential requirements listed at item 3. Data Sciences International is the original equipment manufacturer, owner of all related intellectualproperty, and exclusive source.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exceptions
The following exceptions 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 
The following exclusion(s) and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the sections of the trade agreements specified:
• Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - Articles 506.12(b)(j)
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Article 1016.2(b)

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date
The product must be delivered on or before October 28, 2016.

9.  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.

10. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is August 26, 2016 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight time.

11. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities are to be directed to: 
Mark Walton
Supply Officer
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Acquisitions Branch
CommercialConsumer Products Directorate
Scientific, Medical, and Photographic Division "PV"
6A2, Phase III, Place du Portage, 
11 Laurier Street,
Gatineau, Quebec, CanadaK1A 0S5
Telephone: 873-469-3185
Facsimile:   819-956-3814
E-mail address:   mark.walton@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Delivery Date: 28/10/2016

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.