This Letter of Interest (LOI) seeks information from industry on its interest, capacity and ability to perform the laboratory biochemistry analysis of blood (whole blood, serum and plasma) and urine for Statistics Canada’s (SC) requirement; and to provide industry the opportunity to give feedback on the procurement strategy.
REQUIREMENT:
On behalf of Statistics Canada, PWGSC is seeking to issue a Letter of Interest in advance of a competitive Request for Proposal for the procurement of medical/dental laboratory services for Blood and Urine Analysis in support of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS).
The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), launched by Statistics Canada in 2007, collects key information relevant to the health of Canadians by means of direct physical measurements such as blood pressure, height, weight and physical fitness. In addition, the survey collects blood and urine samples from respondents/participants to test for chronic and infectious diseases, nutrition and environment markers and for long term storage for approved health related biobank research projects. Additional information about the CHMS is available at www.statcan.gc.ca/chms.
As part of the CHMS, blood and urine samples are collected and analyzed to determine the health of the Canadian population. These specific results are added in relationship to other measures of health (for example; environmental exposure, complete blood count and bone health), respondent demographics and lifestyles that are also collected as part of the CHMS. All CHMS blood and urine sample analyses are done to establish baselines or national estimates of the Canadian population. The analyses are not for treatment or diagnostic purposes. Blood and urine samples are collected over a 2 year-period (the length of a CHMS cycle from which national estimates are calculated).
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS:
Canada intends to host one-on-one meetings to provide Industry with general information on the requirement and obtain industry comments and suggestions with regard to the draft RFP. One-on-one meetings with interested parties will be held in the National Capital Area between March 31st and April 3rd.
The Rules of Engagement and Industry Engagement Questions are included with this LOI to provide interested parties the opportunity to review and prepare written comments and recommendations which will serve to facilitate the consultative process during the one-on-one meetings. The Rules of Engagement Participation Agreement is provided in Attachment 1 and the Industry Engagement Questions are provided in Attachment 2.
Canada will analyze and summarize industry input and post responses on its Government Electronic Tendering System, www.buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders.
Any interested parties should contact the PWGSC Contracting Authority at the coordinates herein with a signed Rules of Engagement Participation Agreement and a response to the Industry Engagement Questions by March 26, 2015. Once all LOI responses are received, the Contracting Authority will contact any interested parties with an official invite.
Participation in the one-on-one meetings is not required in order to submit a response to any follow-on RFP.
The issuance of this LOI does not create an obligation for Canada to issue a subsequent bid solicitation and does not bind Canada legally or otherwise, to enter into any agreement or to accept any suggestions from industry.
This industry consultation process is not a bid solicitation and a contract will not result from this request.
Potential respondents are advised that any information submitted to Canada in response to this industry consultation process may be used by Canada in the development of a subsequent competitive RFP. However, Canada is not bound to accept any expression of interest or to consider it further in any associated documents such as a RFP.
CONTRACTING AUTHORITY:
All enquires and other communications related to the LOI must be directed to the Contracting Authority as follows:
Heather Wilson
Supply Specialist
Life and Earth Sciences Division
Science Procurement Directorate
Services and Specialized Acquisitions Management Sector
Acquisitions Branch
Public Works and Government Services Canada
11 Laurier Street, Portage III, 11C1, Gatineau QC K1A 0S5
E-mail : h••••••••@••••••••.••.ca
Telephone : (819) 956-1354
Facsimile : (819) 997-2229
