Body Composition Tracking System

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA
Tendering Procedures: 
Attachment: None
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
COSMED, USA, Inc.
1850 Bates Avenue
Concord California
United States
94520
Nature of Requirements: 
Body Composition Tracking System

 
The Individual Behaviour and Performance Section of Defence
Research and Development Canada (DRDC) - Toronto has a
requirement for a Comsed body composition tracking system Model
BOD POD Gold Standard or equivalent. The system includes: the
BOD POD chamber, computer cart, computer, monitor and printer,
digital scale with computer interface, calibration standards, 50
tube and filter kits, on-site installation and training 
Delivery is required by 28 March 2013. 

The Canadian Forces Health Services has noted that a number of
soldiers are losing significant weight  (fat and lean muscle
mass) during operations and training. The measurement of body
composition, in the field, during prolonged operations in
extreme environments is an important part of determining how the
body responds to changes in diet during Canadian Forces
operations. Typically, doing such measurements accurately are
done using time consuming methods. Recent developments in
technology have provided non-invasive, portable and accurate
means by which to measure body composition. 

The above referenced instrument will give DRDC the portable
capability to determine body composition fat and fat free mass,
in adults, in the field, without the need to conduct underwater
weighing.  Data collected will assist in guiding the field
feeding requirements for the current Soldier Nutrition in
Extreme Environments project. 

Minimum Essential Requirements

- must measure whole body densitometry through utilizing air
displacement plethysmography
- must measure body composition parameters that include fat and
fat free mass (and thoracic gas volume/residual volume
measurement for these calculations)
-  must be able to measure these in a wide range of adults. 
- must be portable/moveable. 
-  system must have a dedicated data collection/computer system
resident onboard.

Justification of Pre-Identified Supplier

Comsed USA, Inc. is the only known manufacturer of a portable
body tracking system. It is for this reason it is intended to
negotiate this contract with Comsed USA, Inc., the original
equipment manufacturer. 

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations
is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6 (d) "only one
person is capable of performing the work".

The following limited tendering reasons are invoked under the
section of the trade agreement(s) specified:

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - Article(s) 506.12 (b) "
where there is an absence of competition fro technical reasons
and the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular
supplier and no alternative or substitute exists"; 

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Article(s) 1016, 2
(b) " were, 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 a 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" 




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.