Procurement Hub – Fredericton
301 Bishop Drive
Fredericton, NB E3C 2M6
21 November 2018
F5211-180597
ADVANCED CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE
TITLE: Genetic analyses and reporting on the level of hybridization between Species of Trout
ACAN:
The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government’s intention to award a contract for these services to Montana Conservation Genetics Lab, University of Montana, Flathead Lake Biological Station, 32125 Bio Station Lane, Polson MT 59860 U.S.A. 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 ACAN posting period.
If other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during this ACAN posting period that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will proceed to a full tendering process on either GETS 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.
INTRODUCTION:
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) requires a Contractor to carry out genetic analyses on the level of hybridization in various populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Alberta and report on findings.
BACKGROUND:
The work involves testing Westslope Cutthroat Trout fin clip samples provided by Alberta Environment and Parks, using 95 SNP assays and/or RAD markers, including a subset of species specific diagnostic assays for admixture analysis with Rainbow Trout, Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. The Contractor is responsible for DNA extraction, DNA quantitation and standardization, enzyme digestion, sample barcoding and RAD library creation, and capture of RAD loci and sequencing library creation. The Contractor must provide a detailed report that describes the admixture proportions (% Westslope Cutthroat Trout purity) within each population.
OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of the work is to determine the proportion and degree of hybridization in various populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Alberta.
WORK REQUIREMENT:
The Contractor must complete and deliver the following items:
Testing Westslope Cutthroat Trout fin clip samples provided by Alberta Environment and Parks, using 95 SNP assays and/or RAD markers, including a subset of species specific diagnostic assays for admixture analysis with Rainbow Trout, Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
DNA extraction – genomics – bead-based DNA extraction from tissue samples provided
DNA QC & normalization – DNA quantitation & standardization
RAD library pre – enzyme digestion, sample barcoding, & RAD library creation/QC
Capture & sequencing library prep – capture of RAD loci & sequencing library creation/QC
Provide resulting data digitally in Excel spreadsheet format
Provide a detailed digital report with summary statistics describing admixture proportions (% Westslope Cutthroat Trout purity) within each population
All deliverables must be provided by March 20, of each year that the Contract is in place.
MANDATORY CRITERIA:
The laboratory must have demonstrated a minimum of 5 years of experience through prior genetic analyses of Westslope Cutthroat Trout to assess hybridization (i.e., non-native allele frequencies, hybrid indices) with Rainbow Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout using restriction site associated DNA (RAD) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers (loci). Results must have been published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
The laboratory must report the following:
genotypes of individuals at all diagnostic and variable loci used
allele frequencies for each individual sample for five target species: Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Coastal Cutthroat Trout.
statistical results for an assessment of the presence of a hybrid swarm for each applicable target species listed above
statistical power to detect hybridization for each applicable target species listed above and an indication of which, and how many, diagnostic loci were used to determine this power to detect
list of the different types of hybrids present (i.e., different species combinations) in each sample
genetic variation (percent polymorphic loci, heterozygosity, F-statistics) in each distinct sample collected and compared to other samples analyzed to-date
Minimum experience: 5 years for the above reporting criteria
The resource team must be comprised of a lead geneticist with 5 years of experience analyzing Westslope Cutthroat Trout genetics
The resource team must be comprised of a lab manager and dedicated laboratory technician(s) with 5 years of experience analyzing Westslope Cutthroat Trout genetics
ESTIMATED VALUE
The total value of the contract shall not exceed $50,000.00 excluding all applicable taxes for the firm period from contract award to 31 March 2019. Option Year 1 is estimated at $50,000.00 (excluding applicable taxes) and Option Year 2 is estimated at $50,000.00 (excluding applicable taxes).
TRADE AGREEMENTS APPLICABILITY OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS:
No Trade Agreements apply.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTION AND LIMITED TENDERING REASONS:
The following policy requirements are applicable to this ACAN process:
Applicable Exceptions to Soliciting Bids under the Government Contracting Regulations (GCRs) (Section 6):
Section 10.2.1 Section 6 (d) only one person or firm is capable of performing the work applies to this ACAN for the following reasons:
-There are no known alternative sources of supply. It is feasible and affordable to compete the requirement.
CONTRACT PERIOD:
The period of the contract is from contract award to 31 March 2019 inclusive. The contract will include 2 option years, to be activated at the discretion of DFO.
Firm period: contract Award to 31 March 2019
Option Year 1: 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020
Option Year 2: 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2121
SUPPLIER’S RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:
Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services described herein, must submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing to the Contracting Officer identified in this Notice on or before closing date. The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:
6 December 2018 at 2:00 p.m. (AST)
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:
Hannah State
A/Team Lead – Contracting Services
Procurement Hub – Fredericton
Telephone: (506) 429-2622
Email: D••••••••@•••••••.••.ca
