PCR System

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: 
Life Technologies Inc.
5250 Main Way
Burlington Ontario
Canada
L7L5Z1
Nature of Requirements: 
PCR System

6D063-122841/A
Barenz, Leanne
Telephone No. - (204) 983-0506 
Fax No. - (204) 983-7796

TITLE:	VIIA7 REAL-TIME SYSTEM

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf
of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), intends to
negotiate with Applied Biosystems for the provision of the
following:

Requirements:

The ViiA7 Real-Time system is a detection platform that performs
real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). 
Real-time qPCR is a powerful and sensitive analysis technique
and is used for a broad range of applications including
quantitative and qualitative pathogen detection, as well as SNP
genotyping.  The Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens
Laboratories (Viral Zoonoses and Field Studies) have developed
several diagnostic real-time RT-PCR assays for several viruses
and bacteria on the 7900HT and Fast 7500 real time PCR systems. 
The 7900HT SDS is over 8 years old and is showing signs of
prolonged use and has had two costly laser replacements in the
past 3 years in addition to other mechanical repairs. In order
to meet our client demands for surveillance and diagnostic
testing and outbreak investigations, we need to procure a
reliable real-time PCR system.

The ViiA 7 Real-time PCR system features its strength in three
areas (productivity, integration and performance) of analytical
operation which meets the needs of both laboratories.
Productivity is represented in its versatile platform ideal for
performing medium to high-throughput real-time PCR, thus
streamlining multiple stages of assay technology development
ranging from early assay optimization to HTS operation.  Its
integration capability is fully compatible with 7900 and 7500
Fast Real time PCR systems, thereby allowing the seamless
transfer of assays developed on the 7900 and 7500 Fast Real time
PCR system to the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR system.  Lastly the ViiA 7
system features the new OptiFlex system which provides enhanced
fluorescence detection enabling accurate and sensitive data
analysis. This performance translates into better accuracy,
maximum multiplexing and most importantly, precise
quantification.  The ViiA 7 system is capable of detecting small
target quantities with high reproducibility, which fits the
demands of the laboratory aimed at detecting low viral or
bacterial loads.   

The key requirements for the Real Time PCR machine, which are
unique to the ViiA7 Real Time PCR system, are as follows:

1.	To maintain data compatibility with historical data, we
require a system that is compatible with ABI software protocols
and data files. The instrument software must provide raw
fluorescent data and multicomponent (segregated by dye type)
data for troubleshooting of experiment. The previously and
currently employed ABI instruments (7500 Fast and 7900HT) have
the same software architecture as the ViiA7 Real Time
Instrument, which will allow the transfer of  absolute
quantification,  presence/absence and SNP assays developed on
the 7500 Fast Real time PCR system and / or 7900HT SDS to the
ViiA7 Real-Time PCR system.

2.	The instrument must also have available at least four (4)
user-interchangeable blocks to accommodate 96-well, Fast 96-well
low volume, 384-well plates or TaqMan® Array Cards.  No service
visits or re-calibration are necessary after a block change. A
versatile instrument with at least four (4) user-interchangeable
blocks can do the work of 2 instruments.   This allows us to
quickly meet high throughput needs during an outbreak. 

3.  	The instrument has real-time quantitative PCR installation
specifications which
allow the distinction between 6,667 and 10,000 template copies
(a 1.5 fold sensitivity) with a 99.7% confidence level.  This
improvement in the instruments capability will enable us to
detect small target quantities with high reproducibility, which
fits the demands of our laboratory aimed at detecting low viral
and bacterial loads.   

Must be delivered on or before March 31, 2013.

Applied Biosystems by Life Technologies is the only company that
makes a Real-Time PCR machine that is compatible with the
current 7900HT Sequence Detection System (SDS) and 7500 Fast
Real Time PCR system software protocols and data files.  

Trade Agreements

The following trade agreements are applicable to this
procurement: The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  
 
Article 1016.2(b) of NAFTA and Article 506.12(b) of AIT are all
applicable as this requirement can be fulfilled by only one
supplier.

Section 6 of the Government Contract Regulations applies as only
one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.


Estimated Cost:	$54,000.00 - $56,000.00 (GST not 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.