Capteur pour détection à distance d'engins explosifs improvisés

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited
to bid
Attachment: None
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address:
The University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba Admin
Rm. 202 Administration Building
Winnipeg Manitoba
Canada
R3T2N2
Nature of Requirements:
Sensor for stand-off detections of Improvised Explosive Devices

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 the requirement

DRDC Valcartier intends to study the feasibility of a
man-portable camera-like device to detect the presence of
energetic materials at stand-off distances. The objective of the
present work is to develop a prototype of an imaging sensor
using microwaves to detect specific chemical compounds of
energetic materials found in containers of different
configurations. It is envisaged that this sensor will be a time
resolved broadband imaging device operating in the safe
microwave spectrum. The demonstration of this imaging sensor
could pave the way for a future man-portable device for
stand-off detection, in order to rapidly and safely identify
energetic materials in complex environments.

Microwave is the electromagnetic band of choice. Microwave
offers major advantages for remote sensing of chemical
compounds. Microwave radiation propagates through large
distances and has modest attenuation when passing through
physical barriers such as clothing, wood, paper, plastics, soil,
sands, and rocks, thus can be used to detect objects hidden
behind them. While other methods based on thermal signature can
detect based on contrasts in temperature, microwave can detect
objects at ambient temperatures where there is no contrast in
temperature between the object and the background.

More specifically, a microwave sensing/imaging sensor using
specifically designed magnetic materials offers a capability for
detection of various chemical materials, with a high degree of
sensitivity and accuracy. Different methods do exist, or are in
development, to localize buried objects, such as infrared
thermography, surface impedance, pulse magnetic induction, and
long wavelength infrared, but none can actually identify the
buried object as an explosive and have severe limitations in
doing so. The microwave sensing/imaging sensor with magnetic
materials offers a solution for the identification of buried
explosives with few of the limitations observed in other
systems.

The microwave sensing/imaging sensor with magnetic materials
operates as follows. Images of the object are obtained at
different frequencies in order to determine the
frequency-dependent dielectric constant of the object.
Identification of the chemical compounds contained in the object
is obtained through a correlation with the material properties
of known chemical compounds. Due to its design, this sensor may
also be housed in a container of a small form factor, to be
integrated in a portable camera-like device.

There is one critical issue with using microwave to detect
objects, namely, the attenuation of the microwave band in water.
This can occur for instance when hidden objects are surrounded
by wet mud. The resolution of this issue is through a judicious
selection of the sensitivity and frequency of the sensor. The
sensing imaging device and phase probing technique can address
this issue accordingly.

Description of tasks:

i. Design of a prototype microwave broadband sensor with
miniaturized and highly sensitive magnetic imaging sensors to
detect chemical compounds. The sensitivity should be typically
from 0.1 to 1 mV/mW, at zero magnetic field and at a power level
in the range of nW microwave radiation. The sensor has to be
broadband (1-40 GHz), in order to reduce the distortion of the
field distribution of microwave signals scattered from the
targeted object. The chemical compounds to be detected include,
TNT, RDX, HMX, PETN, CL20, ASPIRIN, Ammonium Perchlorate and
soils contaminated with these chemical compounds, including mud
at varied levels of humidity from zero to 90%). The chemical
compounds should also be detectable at distances ranging from 10
mm to 1 meter or more.

ii. Fabrication of the concept defined under item 1.

iii. Development of image processing algorithms, for image
reconstruction of the buried objects, exploiting multi-sensor
integration to rapidly generate a 2D image.

iv. Development of a database of electronic structures and
energetics of the chemical compounds listed in item 1. If no
experimental data is available, advanced quantum chemistry
calculations are needed to provide predicted data.

v. Development of a database of the dielectric constants of the
chemical compounds listed in item 1, for the purpose of
identifying the compounds and calibrating the sensors. If no
experimental data is available, advanced quantum chemistry
calculations are needed to predict data.

vi. Development of user interface software

vii. Calibration of the prototype sensor.

viii. Assessments of indoor and outdoor performance the sensor.
The detection tests of chemical compounds have to be performed
at varying levels of humidity from zero to 90%.

ix. Writing reports on the experimental and theoretical
developments of the project.

Deliverables expected at the end of the project:

a. A prototype of a microwave sensing/imaging sensor, as
described above.

b. Documented algorithms on imaging processing and a database of
structures, energetics and dielectric constants of the above
chemical compounds.

c. An assessment of the detection capability of this sensor,
indoor and outdoor, and the identification of outstanding
technical issues and recommendations for future work.

d. Technical reports describing the design concept, the
fabrication of the sensing/imaging sensor, its operation, the
image processing algorithms, the database of structures,
energetics and dielectric constants of chemical compounds listed
in item 1, the calibration process as well as the test plan,
configuration and results of both indoor and outdoor assessments.

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

The Statement of capabilities should clearly address and in
sufficient depth each of the points A, B, C and D below that are
subject to the criteria. Simply repeating the statement
contained in the criteria is not sufficient.

A. The Proposed Approach

Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must
demonstrate that he/she can propose an approach that meets fully
the following technical specifications.

A.1 A microwave sensing/imaging sensor to detect chemical
compounds, which converts microwave signals on-chip to
electrical signals, processes the signals, creates a 2D image,
is compact and broadband (1-40 GHz).
A.2 The microwave sensing/imaging sensor is comprised of
individual microwave sensors that are integrated into an array,
whose size is matched to performance requirements.
A.3 The microwave sensor has a detection threshold on the order
of nanoWatt in the microwave spectrum, and a sensitivity of 0.1
to 1 mV/mW in a zero magnetic field.
A.4 The use of advanced models based on first-principles of the
physics to simulate the dynamics of magnetic materials and
predict their dielectric constants, electronic structures,
energetics and thermodynamic properties of the chemical
compounds if not already available. These data will be used to
model the response of magnetic sensors to the chemical compounds
listed under item 1, and develop the underlying mathematical
process for image reconstructions.
A.5 A database of structures, energetics and dielectric
constants of the molecules listed under item 1.

B. The Proposed Scientific Resources

Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must
demonstrate that he can propose a team that meets the following
criteria:

The proposed team must include one member with a Ph.D. in
experimental physics, a second member with a Ph.D. in
theoretical physics and a third with a Ph.D. in computational
physics.

One of the above three members must be the team technical lead.

Adding the experience of the individual team members, the team
as a whole must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in each
of the following fields:

B.1 Research in semiconductor physics, magnetism, microwave and
infrared spectroscopy, photo-conductivity spectroscopy.
B.2 Research in computational modeling, including modeling
electronic and charge transport properties of semiconductors.
B.3 Design of nano materials.
B.4 Design, fabrication, characterization and calibration of
magnetic sensors, including ferromagnetic materials and magnetic
structures.
B.5 Modeling, simulation and analysis of the electronic dynamics
in magnetic materials.
B.6 Use of commercial advanced quantum chemistry calculation
software (such as Gaussian, Material Studio, VASP, Games) for
the prediction of dielectric constants and other
physical/chemical properties of materials, and the analysis of
the calculated data.

C. Equipment, experimental facilities and hardware/software
capabilities

Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must
demonstrate that he/she can have access to the following
equipment, Experimental facilities and hardware/software :

C.1 A lock-in amplifier for electrical detection and a fast
technique for direct electrical probing of the phase of a
continuous wave (cw) microwave signals,
C.2 A high-frequency broadband (0-40GHz) probe station for the
measurement of magnetic, electrical and microwave properties of
magnetic materials and micro-structured devices.
C.3 A microwave generator,
C.4 Clean-room facilities for the fabrication of
micro-structured, microwave sensors and sensor arrays.
C.5 Advanced and adapted quantum chemistry and physics codes to
perform calculations, for predicting magnetic structures and
quantum electronic transport to describe the electronic dynamics
and interactions in magnetic materials and for the microwave
image reconstruction.
C.6 Access to one supercomputer for running the quantum
chemistry/physics software to predict the dielectric constants,
the electronic structures, the energetics and the thermordynamic
properties of chemical compounds.

D. Requirements related to the Intellectual Properties

Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must
demonstrate that he/she has the intellectual property right
required to perform the work.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement :
Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

We intend to work with the suppliers named in section 11 below
as they are the only suppliers that can meet all of the
mandatory criteria above.

The proposed approach meets the technical specifications listed
in Section 3A above.

The proposed team meets all the criteria listed in Section 3B
above.

They also have access to the equipment, experimental facilities
and hardware/software listed in Section 3C above.

Finally, they have the intellectual property right required to
perform the work:

The University of Manitoba (UoM) has demonstrated the 'proof
concept' of the technology of microwave sensing/imaging devices.
Indeed, two US patents are filed to the UoM [U.S. Patent, No. US
7986140 B2 (2009), U.S. Provisional Patent, serial number:
61/360, 479] on micro-fabrication techniques in designing and
making spintronic sensors for microwave imaging applications.

Nanoacademic has exclusively licensed from McGill University the
US patent (US8, 082,130, B2). Using the IP of this patent, the
company has developed the in-house code ``Nanodcal" which is the
most powerful package for modeling charge/spin transport
properties of magnetic devices including the simulation of
Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) structures.

Therefore, only the Nanoacademic Technologies Inc. and the
University of Manitoba can meet the above mandatory requirements
(see Section 3) and their expertise is required together for the
success of this project within the Contract Period. Their
expertise will be extended to the materials related to the
detection of the IEDs. Both have demonstrated the proof concept
of the technology in their previous corresponding protected IP.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations
is invoked for this procurement under subsection : subsection
6(d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work").

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

The following exclusion and/or limited tendering reasons are
invoked under the :
Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - Articles 506 12 (a) and (b)

8. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of
the "Fabrication, development and calibration" portion of the
work will vest in the Contractor.
Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of
the "Computational modeling simulations and software
developments" portion of the work will vest in the Crown.

9. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date

The proposed contracts are for a period of 2 years, from October
1st, 2013, to September 30th, 2015.

10. Cost estimate of the proposed contract

The total estimated value of both contracts is $ 890,000.00
(Applicable taxes extra).

11. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Fabrication, development and calibration :
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3T 2N2
Canada

Computational modeling simulations and software developments :
Les Technologies Nanoacademic Inc.
7005, boulevard Taschereau
Bureau 256
Brossard (Québec) J4Z 1A7
Canada

12. 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.

13. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities

The closing date and time for accepting statements of
capabilities is august 14th, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. EST.

14. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:
Gabriel Piras
Direction des approvisionnements | Supply Directorate
Travaux publics & Services gouvernementaux Canada | Public Works
& Government Services Canada
601-1550, avenue D'Estimauville, Québec, (Québec) G1J 0C7
Courriel | Email: G••••••••@••••••••.••.ca
Téléphone | Telephone: 418-649-2870
Télécopieur | Facsimile: 418-648-2209

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.