Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with
Peru/Colombia/Panama
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:
FLUIDIGM CORPORATION
7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 100
San Francisco California
United States
94080
Nature of Requirements:
FLUIDIGM BIOMARK HD PLATFORM
31029-137743/A
Tammy Kozak
Telephone No. - (204) 984-8825
Fax No. - (204) 983-7796
1. INTRODUCTION
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf
of the National Research Council (NRC) in Saskatoon, SK intends
to solicit a proposal and negotiate a contract with Fluidigm
Corporation in California, USA for the for the supply,
installation, and training of a Fluidigm Biomark HD platform
consisting of: (1) Biomark HD Reader, (3) Integrated Fluidic
Circuit controllers, (2) Access Array Integrated Fluidic Circuit
Controllers, and (1) C1 Single cell Auto Prep system.
2. BACKGROUND
NRC-Saskatoon is a centre of excellence for the development and
improvement of molecular tools for crop breeding. NRC-Saskatoon
has made a major commitment to establishing advanced molecular
biology, genetics and genomics technologies in the DNA
Technologies Laboratory, to further the rapid development of
improved crop germplasm.
An important project supported at NRC-Saskatoon is the NRC Wheat
Flagship incorporating the Genomics Assisted Breeding (GAB)
project and aligned to the Genome Canada "Canadian Triticum
Advancement through Genomics (CTAG)" project. Both of these
projects are carrying out large-scale sequencing and genotyping
in the major Canadian wheat crop species and varieties. A key
aspect of this work is the screening of large numbers of Single
Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) from multiple wheat varieties
and large segregating populations derived from crosses of these
varieties. The platform must have the potential to process up
to 100,000s of SNP genotypes a day in a fully automated and
ultralow (nanolitre) low cost reaction volume format at very
high reproducibility with minimal labour requirements and
without the requirements for additional costly robotic liquid
handling equipment. As well the platform must enable the
development of next generation sequencing (NGS) libraries for
targeted screening of induced nucleotide variations in large
mutagenized populations of wheat together with the ability to
carry out transcriptome and genotype profiling of isolated
individual wheat cells from selected wheat varieties. An
integrated automated platform that will be able to accommodate
all of the above needs and meet the mandatory performance
criteria listed below is required for the wheat projects.
3. MANDATORY PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Mandatory capabilities of the DNA genotyping platform must
include but are not limited to the following performance
requirements:
MANDATORY PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS:
1. DNA genotyping platform which can operate independently
without the need for additional robotic liquid handling
equipment.
2. Automated mixing of samples and assays in nanolitre volumes
for SNP genotyping and targeted amplifications in large sets of
wheat genomic DNA preparations, using picogram amounts of
starting material.
3. Cross compatibility to enable processing of SNP genotyping,
targeted amplification, gene expression, digital PCR, copy
number variation and single cell reactions on the same platform.
4. Ability to produce a genotyping call rate of at least 99% or
greater and a call accuracy of at least 99% or higher, with the
option to vary sample numbers versus assays and scalable to over
100,000 genotypes per day.
5. Ability to produce up to 480 (5 x 96) samples of barcoded
targeted amplification products per wheat DNA sample that are
automatically pooled and ready for sequencing on multiple NGS
platforms and should have an amplification success rate of at
least 95% or greater.
6. Ability to quantitate PCR products used for NGS platforms
using real-time PCR analysis.
7. Ability to isolate and prepare individual cells for genomic
analysis applications, including targeted gene expression
analysis and whole transcriptome analysis.
8. Ability to carry out single-cell analysis on 48 to 96
individual cells isolated from either the same plant or from
cells derived from plants in a segregating population and
targeting 48 to 96 genes in a single run of the system.
9. Ability to carry out single-cell gene expression protocols
for both probe-based and DNA binding dye-based detection
chemistries.
10. Ability to allow users the flexibility to define samples
and assays to be analyzed, without the need for pre-spotted
arrays.
5. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
The Fluidigm Biomark HD platform is the only integrated platform
that can meet the above mandatory requirements. Fluidigm is in a
unique position to fulfill this requirement as they are the
manufacturer and sole authorized distributor of the Fluidigm
Biomark HD Platform. Based on the above, the Crown intends to
negotiate a contract with Fluidigm on a sole source basis.
6. GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REGULATIONS
Government Contract Regulations: 6.(d) only one person or firm
is capable of performing the contract.
7. TRADE AGREEMENTS
The requirement is subject to the provisions of the World Trade
Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP),
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the
Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).
AIT Article 506. 12 Where only one supplier is able to meet the
requirements of a procurement, an entity may use procurement
procedures that are different from those described in paragraphs
1 through 10 in the following circumstances: (b) 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;
NAFTA Article 1016: Limited Tendering Procedures. 2. An entity
may use limited tendering procedures in the following
circumstances and subject to the following conditions, as
applicable: (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 be supplied only by a particular supplier and no
reasonable alternative or substitute exists;
WTO - ARTICLE XV: The provisions of Articles VII through XIV
governing open and selective tendering procedures need not apply
in the following conditions, provided that limited tendering is
not used with a view to avoiding maximum possible competition or
in a manner which would constitute a means of discrimination
among suppliers of other Parties or protection to domestic
producers or suppliers:
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.
7. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR
Fluidigm Corporation
7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 100
South San Francisco, CA 94080
8. DELIVERY DATE
While delivery is requested by January 31, 2014 or earlier,
delivery must be made complete by March 31, 2014.
9. ESTIMATED COST
Estimated value of the requirement: $650,000.00 CND (GST not
included). Included in the estimated cost is the option to
purchase an additional unit before March 31, 2015 and the
purchase of consumable items for the Genotyping Platform. The
Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.
10. SUPPLIERS RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES
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.
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.
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.
