Automated fish marking and tagging trailer (AutoFish Trailer)

Trade Agreement: CETA / WTO-AGP / CPTPP / NAFTA / CFTA / FTAs with Peru / Colombia / Panama / Korea
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: 
Northwest Marine Technology, Inc.
PO Box 427
Shaw Island Washington
United States
98286
Nature of Requirements: 

Automated fish marking and tagging trailer (AutoFish Trailer)

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 Robertson Creek Hatchery, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Port Alberni, British Columbia has a requirement for an automated fish marking and tagging trailer (AutoFish Trailer).

The deliverables include:

a. Qty 1 of: AutoFish System Trailer
b. Qty 1 of: External Fish Pump compatible with AutoFish System
c. Training in the operation and maintenance of AutoFish System.
d. One-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
e. 3-year warranty on the computer box and its contents.
f. Availability of field service and training support after the expiration of the warranty period.
g. On-call service technician available 24/7 by phone on the use of AutoFish System.
h. Option for maintenance after the expiration of the warranty (CANADA OPTION).
i. Option for additional components (e.g. computer, tagging machines, clipping machines etc.) to be serviced or replaced by the vendor (CANADA OPTION).
j. Option to conduct refresher training for Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) staff (CANADA OPTION).
k. Option for additional Accessories (CANADA OPTION) such as: 
i. Printer
ii. Six hose stand jacks  
iii. Assorted tools & spare parts
iv. Fish loading door platforms
v. 20’ - 4” fish discharge hose
vi. Two 25’ - 3” water pump hoses
vii. Fire extinguisher, first aid kit & spare tire
viii. Hand-held controller for troubleshooting
ix. ’V’ Detector.

l. Option for an additional AutoFish System Trailer within 18 months of contract award (CANADA OPTION).

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 system (as appropriate) meets the following requirements of an AutoFish System Trailer: 

Operation:
• All components must comply with all applicable Canadian and British Columbian legislative, regulatory and safety requirements
• Be able to successfully Adipose Clip & Coded Wire Tag (CWT) salmonids ranging from 57mm to 142mm total length;
• Be able to mark and CWT 60,000 fish per shift with one skilled operator
• Provide evidence to support its equipment can successfully mark and CWT salmonids to meet the processing targets, while maintaining fish health at or above levels achieved by manual marking and CWT application on salmonids
• Room inside trailer for 4 manual markers to increase overall throughput
• Be able to accurately sort up to seven different size categories while the system is being operated.

Service:
• Training course
• 1-year warranty
• Field service support and On-call service technician.

5th Wheel Trailer:
• Must comply with all applicable Canadian and British Columbian legislative, regulatory and safety requirements
• The trailer must have the following characteristics: 
i. Two side entry doors
ii. Rear access door
iii. Electric Heating and Cooling
iv. Hydraulic leveling jacks
v. Two side fish delivery doors
vi. Storage and counter space
vii. Windows & overhead lighting

Electrical:
• Must comply with all applicable Canadian and British Columbian legislative, regulatory and safety requirements.
• 200’ - Power cords
• Inside and outside 110V utility outlets
• Four outside flood lights front & rear.

Water:
• Must comply with all applicable Canadian and British Columbian legislative, regulatory and safety requirements
• 230V Pump with 50’ power cord
• Two fish holding troughs
• Water filtration & flow controls
• Manual fish marking table.

Marking:
• Must comply with all applicable Canadian and British Columbian legislative, regulatory and safety requirements
• Windows controller with tablet controlled interface, UPS backup, report printing, & constant progress monitoring 
• Six independent automated marking and tagging lines
• Thirty-three fish adapter plates of various sizes 
• Independent leveling & water controls
• Six Patented Volitional Entry Devices
• Independent line video monitors
• Eight CWT Quality Control devices
• Eight CWT MKIV injectors 

Fish Sorter:   
• Windows controller with tablet controlled interface, UPS back up, report printing, & constant progress monitoring
• Seven size-sorting ports
• Dual exit volitional entry device, water jet fish separation, & fish containment system
• Continual feed back integration between marking lines and sorter with automated fish delivery from trough 
• Air compressor.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement 

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s): 
• Agreement on Internal Trade.
• Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) 
• Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• World Trade Organization - Agreement of Government Procurement (WTO-AGP).

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 

It is believed that only Northwest Marine Technology Inc. can complete the work as they are the sole producer of this type of tagging and fish handling technology in the world. The company also owns the rights to the software used in the Autofish system. The system is protected by U.S. patents (5,816,196 and 6,145,476). 

The purchase of this technology for use by the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) is expected to provide a more efficient and effective manner of conducting mass marking and tagging of hatchery fish.  

A recent study has also reported a slightly higher rate of recovery of adult fish marked with an automated trailer compared to fish marked manually. The study went on to state that coded wire tag retention rates were more variable for manually marked fish.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception

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 contract". 

7. Limited Tendering Reasons 

The following limited tendering reasons are invoked under the:

• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Article 1016.2 (b);
• World Trade Organization - Agreement of Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) XV.1 (b);
• Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (Limited tendering reason b.ii);
• Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) 513.2 (2.ii or iii.);
• Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) 506.12 (b).

8. Ownership of Intellectual Property 

Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the proposed contract will vest in the Contractor.

9. Delivery Date and Delivery Terms (to be determined)

10. Cost estimate of the proposed contract including options:

The estimated value of the contract including options is $4,800,000.00 GST/HST included. 
 

11. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Northwest Marine Technology, Inc.
PO Box 427
Ben Nevis Road
Shaw Island, WA 98286
USA

12. 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 mandatory requirements.

13. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is September 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. PDST. 

14. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: 

Christine Cress 
Supply Officer  
Pacific Region, Acquisitions
Public Works and Government Services Canada
1230 Government Street, Suite 401   
Victoria, BC V8X 3X4
Email:  christine.cress@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
Tel:   250-514-9294 
Fax:  250-363-3344 

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.