Ballons Aérologique

Trade Agreement: CETA / WTO-AGP / NAFTA / CFTA / FTAs with Peru / Colombia / Panama / Korea
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address:
Hoskin Scientific Limited
4210 MORRIS DRIVE
BURLINGTON Ontario
Canada
L7L5L6
Nature of Requirements:

Aerological Balloons

K4E21-190037/A
Abela, Aaron
Telephone No. - (905) 615-2061 ( )
E-mail: a••••••••@••••••••.••.ca

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)
An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. 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 officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of Requirement
The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) requires the supply of 800 gram latex weather balloons for daily operations at its 31 locations across Canada. The weather balloons and attached radiosondes are released daily, into the upper atmosphere to monitor environmental conditions. The information collected by these radiosondes is a critical source of meteorological data which is used to generate weather forecasting models, predictions and severe weather warnings. In addition to radiosondes, the balloon must carry a variety of ancillary items such as unwinders, parachutes tied together via string or twine as needed to collect the atmospheric data. The balloon launches are normally conducted twice daily, 365 days per year in a range of environmental conditions via the 800 gram latex balloon. The lift gas used to fill balloons is typically either onsite generated Hydrogen or bottled Helium. Once the balloon is filled either a 325 gram or 125 gram payload is attached, and it is manually released outdoors by trained observers. Each balloon must reach a minimum altitude with a payload attached while travelling at a specific ascent rate, through a range of atmospheric conditions.

The MSC is seeking to purchase Totex ?TX? type 800g balloons specifically rated for cold weather for its operations at 31 stations across Canada. MSC is also seeking to include the option to order the additional sizes (1200g, 600g, 350g) cold weather rated balloons for special launch occasions only. However, the majority of the order quantity will be Totex ?TX? type 800 gram cold weather rated balloons.

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements)

Any interested suppliers must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that they are able to produce and supply balloons that meet each of the following requirements under section 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4:

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The Aerological Balloons must meet all environmental conditions for transportation listed below in Table 1 - Transportation Conditions, up to 90 days without any performance degradation for 18 months.

Item Table 1: Transportation Conditions
Condition Range
1 Temperature -60.0°C to +60.0ºC
2 Relative Humidity 5.0% to 100.0% (incl. Condensing)
3 Altitude -50.0m to 12.0km, (from mean sea level)
4 Vibration and Mechanical Shock Conditions encountered via transportation by commercial carrier on land, air or sea

3.2 STORAGE CONDITIONS

The Aerological Balloons in their contractor supplied packaging, must meet all environmental conditions for storage listed below in Table 2 - Storage Conditions without any performance degradation as they may be exposed for a period of up to 18 months from receipt by the MSC.

Item Table 2: Storage Conditions
Condition Range
5 Temperature 40.0°C to +40.0ºC
6 Relative Humidity 5.0% to 100.0% (incl. Condensing)
7 Altitude 0 to 800m (above mean sea level)
8 Radiation Sunlight through office windows and UV from fluorescent lights
9 Vibration and Mechanical Shock Must withstand drop from 1m onto smooth, flat surface, while stored in Contractor’s supplied packaging

3.3 FLIGHT CONDITIONS

The Aerological Balloons after being subjected to all conditions as specified in Tables 1 & 2 must meet to all of the specifications identified below at Table 3 - Flight Conditions without any degradation in performance. The balloons must resist exposure to all of the conditions detailed in Table 3 while removed from the Contractor’s supplied packaging for a period of up to 45 minutes prior to flight during preparation, inflation, release and flight.

Item Table 3: Flight Conditions
Condition Range
10 Pressure 1080.0 to 3.0hPa
11 Temperature -90.0°C to +40.0°C
12 Humidity 0% to 100% (condensing)
13 Hydrometeors 0.0 to 150.0mm/hr (liquid and frozen)
14 Icing 2.54mm/hr
15 Radiation and Atmospheric Chemistry Exposure during flight to all radiation and chemicals occurring in the atmosphere up to the burst height
16 Wind Ground Speed 0 to 100m/s

3.4 ADDITIONAL MINIMUM ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

3.4.1 MATERIAL
a) The balloon must be constructed of latex rubber. (natural or synthetic)
b) The balloon material must be suitable for inflation using hydrogen and helium gas.
c) The balloon material must not create or generate static electricity during preparation, inflation, release.

3.4.2 WEIGHT
a) The final cured balloon weight must be clearly marked and visible on the outside of each individual balloon box.
b) The balloon must weigh (grams) 800 ± 50

3.4.3 NECK CHARACTERISTICS
a) The balloon must be free from nicks and folds and must glide easily over MSC’s standard inflation nozzle.
b) The neck must have a nominal internal diameter (millimeters) of 27.5±2.5.
c) The neck length (millimeters) must be 120±10 when measured straight from trimmed edge or opening.
d) The balloon neck must be securely attached to the balloon structure and transition smoothly between the neck and balloon.
e) The neck must not rip, tear, shred, perforate or separate during the entire preparation, inflation, release and flight process.
f) The neck must resist a tensile force of 200 Newton for 30 seconds after being exposed to all environmental conditions detailed in section 3.1 through 3.3, throughout the 18 month warranty period.

3.4.5 FLIGHT PERFORMANCE
a) The balloons must achieve at a minimum both of the following Flight Performance criteria:
b) 90% of balloons must attain a burst pressure of 30hPa or less,
c) 60% of balloons must attain a burst pressure of 10hPa or less, and
while complying with all balloon shipping, storage, preparation and flight requirements.

4. Applicability of the Trade Agreement(s) to the Procurement

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s):

?Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) OR Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
?World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP)
?North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
?Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier
Hoskin Scientific is the only provider of Totex ?TX? 800g meteorological balloons that are cold weather rated for all the aforementioned sizes and meet the each of the specifications identified under Section 2 and 3 above. Totex Corporation is also the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the balloons and is the sole holder of the IP surrounding this technology. The OEM does not authorize value-added resellers or distributors for their equipment, therefore Hoskin Scientific is the only supplier for this equipment. As the sole supplier of Totex in Canada, Hoskin Scientific was selected as the Contractor of choice The MSC has employed Totex balloons in the harshest of Canadian conditions (as detailed above). Totex balloons regularly achieve burst heights of 5hPa or less, which is both desirable and exceeds minimum performance requirements. The balloons have demonstrated their resilience and robustness throughout operations with MSC’s payload, inflation gas and flight procedures. Totex balloons have proven to have a long shelf life and remain reliable throughout their 18 month warranty period. The balloon neck sizing is critical to ensure compliance with equipment currently in operations at 31 stations across Canada. Neck characteristics are necessary in order to be compatible with inflation equipment which dispenses either Helium and/or Hydrogen. The neck size is critical for operations, which limits the ability to source from alternate vendors. Alternate product with increased failure rates or reduced performance would jeopardize operations and safety.

6. Government Contracts Regulations 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").

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is applicable to this requirement. Limited Tendering is applicable under paragraph 1 through 3 of Article 513, specifically (b)(ii) where, ?the goods or services can be supplied by a particular supplier an no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons (i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi).

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Article 1016.2 (b) 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 supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists.; (d) for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for existing supplies, services or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services, including software to the extent that the initial procurement of the software was covered by this Chapter.

World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) Article XV (b) when, for works of art or for reasons connected with protection of exclusive rights, such as patents or copyrights, or in the absence of competition for technical reasons, the products or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists.; (d) for additional deliveries by the original supplier which are intended either as parts replacement for existing supplies, or installation, or as the extension of existing supplies, services, or installations where a change of a supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services.

7. Ownership of Intellectual Property:
There are no IP considerations with this Procurement. Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the proposed contract will vest in the Contractor.

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date:
Delivery lead time for balloons must be on or before 6 months duration upon receipt of order by the Contractor. The required delivery for the firm requirement for proposed Contract Year 1 o is on or before April 15 2019. The MSC is looking to secure Totex ?TX? type balloons for a firm 3 year supply with a 2 year option of authorizing additional quantities

9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract:
The cost estimate is $7M - $10.5M CAD; Subject to negotiation.

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier
Hoskin Scientific
5210 Morris Drive,
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
L7L 5L6

11. 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.

12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities:
July13, 2018 - 2pm EDT.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities:
Supply Specialist: Aaron Abela
Public Services and Procurement Canada - Ontario Region / Government of Canada
33 City Centre Drive, Suite 480C, ON. L5B 2N5
a••••••••@••••••••.••.ca / Tel: 905-615-2061 / Cell: 416-262-6212

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.