1. Purpose and Nature of the Request for information (RFI)
1.1 Department of National Defence (DND) is requesting Industry feedback regarding the Detector Chemical Agent, Nerve Vapour (NAVD).
1.2 The objectives of this RFI are to:
a) Provide information to Industry about the NAVD;
b) To seek suppliers feedback on the same NAVD or similar “fit-form-function” product, their production capabilities, shelf-life, packaging and costing; and
c) Allow interested suppliers to pose their questions and concerns.
1.3 This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Request for Proposal (RFP). No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI. The issuance of this RFI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by the Government of Canada, nor as authority to potential Respondents to undertake any work that could be charged to Canada. This RFI is not to be considered as a commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or award a contract.
1.4 Although the information collected may be provided as commercial-in-confidence (and, if identified as such, will be treated accordingly by Canada), Canada may use the information to assist in drafting performance specifications (which are subject to change) and for budgetary purposes.
1.5 Respondents are encouraged to identify, in the information they share with Canada, any information that they feel is proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act. Canada will not disclose proprietary or commercially sensitive information concerning Respondents or third parties, except and only to the extent required by law. For more information, please see http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/a-1/.
1.6 Respondents are asked to identify if their response, or any part of their response, is subject to the Controlled Goods Regulations.
1.7 Participation in this RFI is encouraged, but is not mandatory. There will be no short-listing of potential suppliers for the purposes of undertaking any future work as a result of this RFI. Similarly, participation in this RFI is not a condition or prerequisite for the participation in any potential subsequent solicitation.
1.8 Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.
1.9 Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify the procurement approach. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.
1.10 A review team composed of representatives of DND, Canadian Armed Forces and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) will review the responses.
2. Background
2.1 The technology and use of the Detector Chemical Agent, Nerve Vapour (NAVD) was developed in the early 1960’s at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), as an expedient method for the soldiers to detect nerve agent in a vapour form. The NAVD detector assembly consists of a small clear plastic assembly that has two parts: a body and a holder. The body contains a larger disc with an eel acetylcholinesterase impregnated paper called the enzyme disc. The holder contains a smaller disc with the indoxyl-salt impregnated paper called the substrate disc. The user thoroughly wets the enzyme disc on the body with potable or deionized water and ensures that it remains wet while waving it in the air for two minutes. The substrate disc is then detached from the body and pressed into the recess of the enzyme disc. The two disks are held together for approximately two minutes. Upon removing the substrate disc, the exposed enzyme disc is examined for colour change. If the enzyme disc displays a blue or green colour then no nerve agent is detected. If the enzyme disc did not change colour then a nerve agent is present. For soldiers deployed in a chemical warfare environment, colourimetric detectors are small, fast, easy, and fail-safe when the test is properly performed.
2.2 More information is provided in document C-77-207-000/MA-000 DETECTOR CHEMICAL AGENT, NERVE VAPOUR (NAVD) (NSN 6665-21-846-4563).
3. Requirement
3.1 Detector Chemical Agent, Nerve Vapour (NAVD) NSN 6665-21-846-4563 or similar “fit-form-function” product, production capabilities, shelf-life, packaging, costing, questions and concerns.
3.2 Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI can be satisfied. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.
4. Enquiries and Submission of Responses
4.1 All enquiries and other communications related to this RFI and associated Industry Engagement activities must be directed exclusively to the DND Contracting Authority, using the e-mail address below. Since this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all Respondents.
4.2 Electronic Responses: Individual e-mails exceeding five (5) megabytes, or that includes other factors such as embedded macros and/or links, may be rejected by the DND e-mail system and/or firewall(s) without notice to the Respondent or Contracting Authority. Larger responses may be submitted through more than one e-mail. The Contracting Authority will confirm receipt of documents. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure that the Contracting Authority has received the entire response. Respondents should not assume that all documents have been received unless the Contracting Authority confirms receipt of each document. In order to minimize the potential for technical issues, Respondents are requested to allow sufficient time before the closing time and date to confirm receipt.
4.3 Respondents are requested to submit their responses by e-mail to the DND Contracting Authority, using the e-mail address below:
Steeve Lamy
DLP 6-3-1
Senior Materiel Acquisition and Support Officer
Department of National Defence
Assistant Deputy Minister Materiel
Director General Land Equipment Program Management
Address: 101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0K2
Telephone: 819 939 0947
E-mail address: s••••••••@••••••.••.ca
