ACAN – Analyses of halogenated flame retardants in sediment
1. This Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is a public notice informing the supplier community that Environment Canada plans to award a contract for services to the Université du Québec à Montréal regarding the analysis of halogenated organic substances (flame retardants) in sediment.
However, before awarding a contract, 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 other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period that meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.
If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, a contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier.
2. Background / Definition of requirements:
The Chemicals Management Plan aims to protect the human health and the environment by assessing the chemicals used in Canada and then by acting on the chemicals that are considered harmful. As it is managed jointly by Environment Canada and Health Canada, the Chemicals Management Plan is a highly integrated program that manages risks to the environment and health under the terms of different legislation such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Pest Control Products Act, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (formerly the Hazardous Products Act) and the Food and Drugs Act.
The halogenated flame retardants are compounds used in a wide variety of convenience goods and have been detected in the environment. Analysis of these substances in sediment is very specific and highly specialized. Numerous samples have been collected in different large watersheds of Canada. These samples are mainly surficial sediment but are occasionally samples from sediment cores or sediment traps. The materials making up the samples are smaller than 2 mm and mainly terrigenous.
SCOPE OF WORK/DELIVERABLE ITEMS
The following tasks are to be undertaken :
1. Conduct the extraction and purification of major congeners (n = 38) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and of new generation halogenated flame retardants (n = 15; see the attached list) in sediment.
**** SEE THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT****
2. Measuring the concentration of different substances will be performed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS).
3. The detection limit of each of the substances must be equal to, or lower than, 0.1 ng/g on a dry weight basis.
4. Quality control of analyses must include at least 10% of analyzed samples, and also procedural blanks, sample replicates or the equivalent, and analysis of Certified Standard Reference Materials of PBDE congeners.
5. Percent recoveries must be between 80% and 110% and be applied to final results.
6. A report describing detailed analytical methods and final results will be produced in a Word or Excel electronic format.
The following deliverable items are to be produced:
1. Detailed method for analyses of PBDEs and halogenated flame retardants
2. Analytical results by sample with detection limits
3. Minimum essential requirements
Each interested supplier must demonstrate that he meets the following requirements using a statement of abilities:
- Constraints: The supplier must demonstrate that he has developed an analytical method for the extraction and measurement of the concentration of halogenated flame retardants (see above list) and PBDEs in sediment at a cost lower than the one proposed and within the deadlines.
- Experience: The supplier must have and demonstrate a specific expertise in the analysis of halogenated flame retardants.
- Knowledge: The supplier must have and demonstrate a good knowledge of organic chemistry and of emerging substances of concern. The supplier must also have and demonstrate a good knowledge of required measures of quality control.
4. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier:
Jonathan Verreault’s laboratory, professor at the UQAM and holder of a Research Chair from Canada in ecotoxicology, has developed a method for the simultaneous analysis of PBDEs and a suite of new halogenated flame retardants in biological samples. The results obtained by this laboratory have demonstrated the presence of some of these potentially toxic substances in bird and fish tissues in the area of Montreal. This laboratory has recently finalized an analytical method for these same substances in sediment, although much more complex to analyze, the results obtained are very satisfactory in regard to the analytical recovery and seem promising. In addition, this method enables the performance of several routine analyses over a short time period. The cost for analyses of PBDEs in sediment for Environment Canada is typically $500 by sample in an external laboratory. In the present case, the UQAM is proposing us a cost of $402.50 by sample for the analysis of 38 congeners of PBDEs and 15 halogenated flame retardants.
5. Exception(s): The following exception(s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work".
6. Ownership of Intellectual Property:
The Crown has determined that any ownership of intellectual property arising from the execution of the work planned under the contract will be vested to Canada, for the following reasons: 6.4.1 to generate knowledge and information for public dissemination;
7. Proposed contract period or delivery date:
The proposed contract is for a period corresponding to the contract award date to March 15, 2014.
8. Estimated cost of proposed contract
The estimated value of the contract, for 78 samples, including any option, is $31,395.00 (GST and PST extra).
9. Name and address of pre-selected supplier
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Service des partenariats et du soutien à l’innovation
Case postale 8888
Succursale Centre-Ville
Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8
10. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities.
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the 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.
11.Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is November 28, 2013, 2pm. Est.
12. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:
Jonathan Perron,
Environment Canada,
801-1550, avenue d’Estimauville,
Québec (Québec) G1J 0C3
Phone : 418-648-5002 Fax : 418-648-5643
j••••••••@••.••.ca
