DFO Science - Seismic Surveying

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Government Objectives Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Memorial University of Newfoundland
P.O. Box 4920
St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada
A1C5R3
Nature of Requirements: 

DFO Science - Seismic Surveying

F6081-200002/A
Connolly, Carolyn
Telephone No. - (709) 690-3778 
Fax No. - (709) 772-4603 

Definition of requirement:

The Science Branch of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in St. John’s, NL has a requirement for the provision of services as specified under "Background" below. The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government's intention to award a contract for these services to the Centre for Fisheries and Ecosystems Research, Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, NL.  Before awarding a contract, however, the government would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this Notice, by submitting a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period.  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 authority may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

Background:

Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Science Branch in the Newfoundland-Labrador Region has a requirement for the delivery of a contract that will support part of an ongoing research program on the effects of seismic exploration on marine life. The work is part of an ongoing scientific study to address the potential impacts of the oil and gas industries seismic surveying programs on fishery resources.
It is proposed to award a contract to Marine Institute, which will work in collaboration with an established team of scientific experts, to supervise graduate students and to collect, process, and analyze acoustic data using a variety of acoustic recording equipment. Analysis will be conducted using Python software package Echopype and additional statistical analysis using R. The research will consider the impact of sound on the distribution of fish and other marine life using echo sounders. Specialized bioacoustics expertise at the Marine Institute is required to develop and test new techniques to measure marine disturbances acoustically.  

Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities: 

Mandatory Technical Criteria: 

The bidder must have specific expert training in the field of biological oceanography and active acoustics. 
Owing to ongoing disputes regarding the impacts of seismic exploration on fishery resources, the project leader must not be directly affiliated with the fishing industry or the oil and gas industry.  The project leader must also have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an academic setting, including the ability to supervise graduate students in a university setting.  Experience in the design, analysis, writing and publication of relevant peer-review scientific literature is required, and will be evaluated based on authorship in the primary scientific literature.  
A minimum of five (5) years’ of experience using acoustic transducers and related instrumentation is required including Wideband Autonomous  Transceivers, Acoustic Zooplankton and Fish Profilers (AZFP) ) or other similar equipment. This requirement will be technically evaluated based on authorship of relevant scientific publications. 
At least five (5) original peer-reviewed scientific publications incorporating acoustic equipment, in the field of biological oceanography, is required to meet the technical abilities of this project. Experience measuring seismic airgun noise is required, but a publication on this specific criteria is not a requirement. 
A high level of analytical proficiency using Python (and Echopype), Echoview, and related statistical packages is required. This technical suitability must be demonstrated through its use in the publication of original research.  References to published papers are required to evaluate contract suitability. 
Flexibility and compatibility: This project will be integrated with ongoing research. The field sampling will be conducted at specific time and locations depending on the other project elements.  Analysis, and deliverables, and metrics, must be linked with other studies, including DFO’s AZFP oceanographic data, to ensure valid statistical comparison.  Flexibility in the timing of sample collections, with potentially short notice (72 hours) is required. Delivery of outputs is expected to integrate with other project elements therefore collaboration and monthly meetings are required to ensure that comparisons with the larger project remains on-track.  
Presentation of results at DFO public assessment meetings could be required, during which the proponent will be required to present and defend the scientific design, analysis, results, and conclusions among the scientific community. This could include reporting in both written report format and oral presentations, as part of the scientific review process at DFO. This could include presentation of project results as part of a Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat advisory processes, or other DFO led assessment process, that will consider effects of seismic exploration on marine resources. 

Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement:

Based on estimated dollar thresholds, this procurement is not subject to any of the trade agreements.

Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier:

Academia has long been an unbiased leader of scientific research. Memorial University Marine Institute specialized in marine research, and the Center for Fisheries Ecosystem Research in particular has expertise in biological oceanography that is directly suited for this research project and is already integrated into the type of research (including instrumentation and analysis) conduced at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Science Branch. No other group is known to possess the infrastructure, experience, and working knowledge to deliver the requirements of this project in this region.

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 work.

Ownership of Intellectual Property:

Canada intends to retain ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising from the performance of the Work under the proposed contract on the basis that the main purpose of the contract, or of the deliverables contracted for, is to generate knowledge and information for public dissemination.

The period of the proposed contract or the delivery date(s):

The proposed contract is from date of award to 15 February 2021 with two additional one year option periods.

A cost estimate of the proposed contract:

The estimated value of the contract is $28,710 HST extra.

Name and address of the pre-identified supplier:

Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
P.O. Box 4920
St. John's, NL A1C 5R3

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 requirements.

The closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities:

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is 05 May 2020 at 2:00 p.m. NST.

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Carolyn Connolly
Supply Specialist
A/Team Lead
Public Services and Procurement Canada
The John Cabot Building
10 Barter’s Hill, P.O. Box 4600
St. John’s, NL   A1C 5T2
Telephone:  709-690-3778
Facsimile:  709-772-4603
E-mail:  carolyn.connolly@pwgsc.gc.ca 

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.