Protein Purification Unit

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA
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: 
GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES INC. / GE SANTE BIO-SCIENCES INC.
500 Morgan Blvd.
Baie d'Urfé Quebec
Canada
H9X3V1
Nature of Requirements: 
Marlene Hall
Supply Specialist
Telephone:  204 984-6423
E-mail:  marlene.hall@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
File No.:  31005-125907/A



TITLE:	Low Pressure Protein Purification System

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf
of the National Research Council Canada (NRC), intends to
negotiate with GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Inc. for the provision
of the following:

AKTA Pure M1 Chromatography System

NRC is a Research and Technology organization with a mandate of
transferring technology to Canadian industry.  The Biomolecular
Sensing and Imaging (BSI) group in Medical Devices Portfolio
(MD) has a requirement for a chromatographic system to perform
low pressure protein purification.  This request is aligned with
NRC's priorities regarding our participation in the food and
water safety GRDI FWS program that started in 2012.  The program
directly relates to an urgent need for better response times to
outbreaks of infection in the food and water supplies.  This
equipment is needed to perform purifications of biomolecules to
characterize the metabolic labeling of cell surface proteins and
bacterial capture in order to prove that our new technology is
specific to the pathogenic E. coli of interest to other
government departments and ultimately industries related to food
and water products.  This equipment can help provide information
critical to enhance the methodology for the bacterial capture
and detection.

The BSI has been using the AKTA system from the Human
Therapeutics portfolio laboratory for purifying samples and
collecting data for the GRDI projects. BSI has optimized
purification methods with this system and has begun purifying
samples and generated data for the GRDI project.   One of the
columns used extensively for the purification of samples is a
prepacked Superdex column for high resolution separation of
biomolecules by size (gel filtration).  It is critical that the
work be performed using the same system (and columns) to be able
to compare to previous data collected and without jeopardizing
the quality of the purified samples.  
 
Required Features:

The BSI requires this low pressure protein purification system
to purify proteins and other biomolecules.  The system must
deliver a smooth, low pulsation flow to the column in increments
of 0.1 ml/min up to a maximum of 25 ml/min at 0 to 20 MPa
pressure.  Additionally, the system must allow users to perform
time-based, volume-based and column-based programming. 
Specifically, the AKTA Pure M1 comes with a multi-wavelength
UV/Vis monitor and detects up to 3 wavelengths from 190 to 700
nm.  This can purify, identify and distinguish the labeled
protein from the unlabeled species since they absorb at
different wavelengths.  The modular design of the system brings
versatility and flexibility in using the system.  Additional
parts/modules can later be added on to further expand the system
capability and productivity.  Due to the accessibility and
design of the modules, they are easily changed, which allows
quick and efficient customization.  The V9-C column valve of the
system can control the flow of the column and monitor by
measuring the change of pressure pre and post column.  This is
important since the column valve can adjust the flow rate
according to the change in pressure, instead of the system
abruptly stopping the flow due to pressure exceeding the upper
limit.  That means the run will continue as long as the flow
rate is adjusted to keep the pressure under limit.  The column
valve also allows reverse flow through the column for fast and
effective elution of strongly bound proteins, sharper peaks
(increase purity), and a concentrated target molecule eluent. 
This is important for maximizing the yield for purifying the
target protein for subsequent characterizations.  A reversed
flow also help lengthens the lifetime and improve the
performance of columns by rinsing away debris on the top.  In
addition, the inlet selection of the system comprises 4 inlet
positions in a single valve giving a convenient solution for
automation of buffers.  All of these features can allow BSI to
obtain highly pure sample in a time efficient manner.

Delivery, FOB Destination must be on or before March 27, 2013.

The only known manufacturer of a system with the required
features stated above is manufactured by GE Healthcare.


Trade Agreements:
The following limited tendering reasons pertain to this
requirement:

Government Contract Regulations, Part 1, Section 6(d) only one
supplier (person or firm) is capable of performing the contract.

Government on Internal Trade (AIT), Article 506-12(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;

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), 1016.2(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 reason, 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.