Handheld Mass Spectrometer, Suffield, Alberta

Trade Agreement: 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: 
Visiontec (2008) Ltd.
6810 Kitimat Road
Unit 1 & 2
Mississauga Ontario
Canada
L5N5M2
Nature of Requirements: 
Handheld Mass Spectrometer, Suffield, Alberta

W7702-145680/A
Kowal, Meagan
Telephone No. - (306) 975-6223 (    )
Fax No. - (306) 975-5397


Requirement:  
To supply a "pre-commercial" miniature high pressure mass
spectrometer (908 Device Inc Model M908 ) for Department of
National Defence (DND), Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) Suffield, AB.
Equipment must be shipped by March 31, 2014.
 
Background:
Department of National Defence (DND), Defence R&D Canada (DRDC)
Suffield requires a mass spectrometric-based handheld detection
system for assessment in support of its chemical detection
project. DND will evaluate the instrument against agents of
military concern and under field operating conditions, to better
inform DND of technology options for future procurement.

The identified technology is at a "beta-test" stage and will be
used to facilitate evaluation activities at DRDC Suffield, to be
performed prior to the production unit's availability. 

Sole Source Justification:
908 Devices Inc holds proprietary intellectual property and
patent rights to the M908 miniature high pressure mass
spectrometer technology and there are no alternate sources of
supply that can meet the Crown's needs.

Visiontec (2008) Limited is the sole distributor and only
approved value-added reseller authorized by 908 Devices Inc to
sell and support the equipment in Canada 

No other product can meet DND's needs, as follows:
a) Unit weighs no more than 2kg 
b) response time of 60 seconds or less.
c) m/z spectrum resolving power
d) unit can identify chemicals in the gas, vapour, liquid and
solid phase. 
e) ability to include additional targets into the device's
on-board library, if they are not already included

No miniature handheld high pressure mass spectrometer has the
above performance specifications which are unique to the M908
and operationally required by DND.
There is no other similar technology currently available.
Trade Agreements:
Government Contracts Regulations Exception and Limited Tendering
Reason:

The GCRs require the competitive soliciting of bids before any
contract is entered into. 			However, contracts may be entered
into without soliciting bids when:
		only one person is capable of performing the contract (GCRs
6.(d)).

AIT
Article 506: Procedures for Procurement
12. 	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;

NAFTA
Article 1016: Limited Tendering Procedures
2. 	An entity may use limited tendering procedures in the
following circumstances and subject to the 	     	following
conditions, as applicable:
	(b) 	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;
Security
There is no security requirement associated with this requirement

Contract Value:
The estimated value of this procurement is $35,000.00 (GST not
included), $36,750.00 (GST included).
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.