Analyseur d'image de particules à écoulement

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: Government Objectives
Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address:
PANALYTIQUE INC./ PANALYTICAL
4995 Levy
St-Laurent Quebec
Canada
H4R2N9
Nature of Requirements:
Flow Particle Image Analyzer

1. Purpose of an Advance Contract Notice (ACAN)

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows department 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 goods, service or construction contract to a
pre-identified supplier. 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 officer will proceed to a full
tendering process.

2. Definition of requirements and sole source justification

Natural Resources Canada has a requirement for a Flow Particle
Image Analyzer to conduct research in bitumen recovery.

Natural Resources Canada has the intention to purchase a Sysmex
FPIA-3000S Flow Particle
Image Analyzer from Malvern Instruments Canada in order to meet
their research requirements. The proposed research project
cannot be completed on the schedule basis without an automated,
reliable and sensitive shape and size analyzer. Many efforts
have been done to find another equipment with similar abilities,
but the sheath flow method for rotating particles in a way that
the largest area of the particles is placed toward the CCD
camera is unique and patented by this company. Traditional size
analyzers measure only one random dimension based on random
orientation of the particles which is not the largest dimension
of the particle and it cannot give any information about the
size and equivalent diameter of the aggregates.

In previous research, light microscopy of individual aggregates
from the sample collected during Paraffinic Solvent Froth
Treatment (PSFT) tests had been used to investigate aggregate
composition. In addition, a digital camera was coupled to the
microscope for image acquisition. A series of micrographs
(25-80) were taken of each aggregate. Then, the images in the
series were transferred to a PC and stitched together using
Adobe Photoshop software and an image software was used to
estimate the dispersed mineral solid particles (DS) content of
the aggregates based on 10 individual images processed.

Since the above mentioned processes were very time consuming and
needed a lot of skills and efforts, in this research we intend
to use the Sysmex FPIA-3000S flow particle image analyzer for
investigating the size and shape of aggregates. Sysmex
FPIA-3000S which is compatible with most commonly used solvent
such as toluene, acetone, heptane and hexane offers high
resolution, automated analysis of particle size and shape in a
reliable, reproducible and routine manner. In this equipment
comprehensive aggregate characterization data is generated in
short period of time with minimal sample preparation. Extensive
information including visual verification of the size and shape
of each individual aggregate is acquired and reported in graphs,
figures and tables. Previous report showed that the equivalent
diameters of the aggregates in PSFT are in the range of 20 mm to
160 mm. Sysmex FPIA-3000S has the ability to identify the
particles in the range from 1.5 mm to 160 mm and optional
accessories expand the range from 3 mm to 300 mm(low
magnification system) and from 0.8 mm to 80 mm(high
magnification system) which are recommended for this research
because of different circularity and elongation ( 1-width/lenth)
of the aggregates. A sheath flow mechanism using hydrodynamic
pressure selectively rotates particles to maximize the two
dimensional area of particles perpendicular to the CCD camera.
Each particle is then extracted and quantified through a series
of sophisticated digital imaging stages using a high speed image
processor. The essential attributes of Sysmex FPIA-3000S flow
particle image analyzer can be classified as follows:

Clear image is obtained because all particles are in focal plane
of the camera due to narrow (approximately 3 mm wide) sample
flow.
Using a patented sheath flow, particles are separated and
oriented in a way that the largest area of the particles is
placed toward the CCO camera while traditional size analyzers
measure only one random dimension based on random orientation of
the particles.
Largest possible projected area provides the most important
information about the particles in terms of shape and size.
Comprehensive particle characterization data is generated in a
short time, typically less than 3 minutes and with minimal
sample preparation.
Extensive information about each individual particle is obtained
from the sample, and size and shape distributions are supported
by images of the particles to supply further visual verification
of determined data.
Particles are fully characterized using a number of
morphological parameters such as circle equivalent diameter,
circularity and convexity. For each of these parameters a
statistical distribution is calculated and combined in a
scattergram. The scattergram is a unique fingerprint of the
sample that can be used to distinguish between materials that
can appear identical to a microscope or traditional particle
sizer.
A statistically significant number of particles (up to 300,000)
are automatically analysed in a short period of time. All
particle images are saved for future reference.
Two versions of the FPIA-3000 are available. The standard
aqueous version (FPIA-3000) designed for water and common
alcohols and the solvent compatible version (FPIA-3000S) which
is designed to work with a range of more aggressive solvents
such as toluene, pentane and heptane which are the potential
aliphatic solvent in this research.
The raw data is automatically cleaned to remove erroneous noise
and a background correction is applied to remove any
nonuniformity of the illumination conditions.
A threshold value which is a % greyscale value is applied. This
value is based on the user set point (depending upon the sample)
but is usually set at around 90% of the background modal value.
Every pixel darker than this threshold value is then defined as
particle and everything lighter than this is defined as
background.
The particle perimeter is determined using a technique known as
chain code which allocates a value to each pixel depending on
the relationship with its immediate neighbours. For example a
pixel in a straight line with two of its neighbours will have a
different value than a pixel on a comer. All these chain code
values are then added together for the whole particle giving a
more accurate perimeter value than if it was calculated by just
counting the pixels and giving them all an equal weighting.
Following image extraction, a number of morphological parameters
such as circular equivalent diameter based on three different
methods (number, area and volume based}, perimeter, area,
length, width, maximum distance, minimum distance, horizontal
and vertical diameter based on three different methods (Ferret,
Martin and Krumbein), equivalent perimeter diameter, convexity
and circularity are calculated. Since these shape parameters
measure very slight deviations in particle form that could
remain undetected when using manual microscopy or conventional
particle sizing techniques, this equipment enable a much more
sensitive characterization process than other methods and
equipments.
The results of a single analysis are represented in a 3 graph
format - a particle size distribution, a particle shape
distribution and a scattergram plot of size against shape. The
statistical parameters related to each distribution (mean, mode,
lower, median and upper percentile values, etc) are also
presented.
Images of all particles are saved. These images can be observed
and manipulated through the particle viewer. The images can be
magnified and sorted on any size or shape parameter allowing the
operator to quickly and easily identify anomalies or the
presence of unexpected foreign particles.
Along with detailed data on individual records, the software has
the ability to further manipulate the data and compare multiple
records to identify slight differences and trends of key
parameters.

3. Trade Agreements

Article 1016, Section 2, (b) of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA)
"...where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the
protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or
proprietary information or where there is an absence of
competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be
supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable
alternative or substitute exists;"

Article 506, Section 12 (b) of the Agreement on Internal Trade
(AIT)
"...where there is an absence of competition for technical
reasons and the goods or services can be supplied only by a
particular supplier and no alternative or substitute exists;"

4. Government Contracts Regulations Exception
This contract is subject to subsection 6 (d) of the Government
Contracts Regulations, in that only one person or company is
capable of performing the contract.

5. Total Estimated Value
CAD $118,130.40

6. Proposed Contractor
Malvern Instruments Canada
499 Levy St.
Montreal, QC H4R 2N9

7. Departmental Contact Person

Suppliers may address inquiries or submit their statement of
capabilities to:

Name: Ian Taylor
Position: Supply Specialist
Tel: (780) 497-3621
Fax: (780) 497-3510
E-mail: I••••••••@•••••.••.ca

8. Submission of Statement of Capabilities by Suppliers

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.

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.