Automated Library Prep Station

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Interchangeable Parts
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Illumina Canada, Inc.
5200 Illumina Way
San Diego California
United States
92122
Nature of Requirements: 

01799-160705/A
Lomax, Sandra
Telephone No. - (506) 636-4362 
Fax No. - (506) 636-4376 

Automated Library Prep Station

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.

The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada hasrequirement to provide one (1) NeoPrep Library System.  It is an automated robotic system that will prepare libraries for Illumina next-generation sequencing. It will develop genetic markers for selection and breeding, gene expression indicators for fertilizer and potato storage management and viral diagnostic methods.  

Any interested supplies must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following Mandatory Requirements:

Mandatory Requirements

Item 1. An integratedsystem to prepare libraries for Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms.  Prepare sixteen (16) libraries per run without user intervention and provide uninterrupted walk away time.  A platform that can generate quantified and normalized sequencing-ready libraries and delivers high-quality and reproducible results even from low amounts of DNA or RNA.  An on-instrument touchscreen and internal computer, NeoPrep Control Software, barcode scanner and 12 month warranty.    

Item 2. One year maintenance service contract. Includes full coverage for parts, labor and travel; reagent replacement upon hardware failures; 1 preventative maintenance visit per year; remote Technical Support; 3 business day average on-site response; hardware/software updates; on-site applications support; and discounts on advanced training. One year maintenance service contract to take effect when the 12 month warranty in item 1 expires.

The procurement is subject to the following trade agreement:
- Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)


The reason for single tendering is; only one firm is capable of performing the contract.  The following exception to the Government Contact Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) 

In order to maintain scientific consistency and comparability across this broad ranging research initiative it is required that all data production across time frames and collaborators is carried out on comparable machines.
Articles 506.12 (a) and 506.12(b) of AIT are applicable on the basis of limited tendering due to compatibility with existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such as exclusive licenses, copyright and patent rights, or to maintain specialized products that must be maintained by the manufacturer or its representative and 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, respectively.

Articles 1016.2 (b) and 1016.2 (d) of NAFTA are applicable on the basis of limited tendering due to  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 and for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for existing supplies, services or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services, including software to the extent that the initial procurement of the software was covered by this Chapter;

The estimated value of the contract is $60,000.00

Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the 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.

Closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities 

Submissions must be received on or by 2:00 p.m. December 10, 2015. 

Inquiries and statement of capabilities are to be directed to:

Sandra Lomax, Supply Specialist

Public Works and Government Services Canada
189 Prince William St
Saint John, NB  
E2L 2B9 

Telephone No. (506) 636-4362
Fax No. (506 636-4376
Email sandra.lomax@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.