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: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address:
ACRISON INC
20 EMPIRE BLVD
MOONARCHIE New Jersey
United States
Nature of Requirements:
Title: Laboratory Equipment and Supplies - Weigh Feeder
National Research Council (NRC), Magna-NRC Composites Centre of
Excellence has a requirement for the supply, delivery and
installation of Qty. 1, Continuous Weigh Feeder (304 stainless
steel), Model # 404X-BDF-2.5-1-K/2 complete with accessories;
and Qty. 1, Weigh Feeder Controller, Model SBC-2000DSP,
including motor controls and accessories.
NRC is currently working on the development of a manufacturing
technology involving the use of loose natural fibres as
reinforcement agents for the production of thermoplastic-based
composite materials. A critical part in the processing technique
is the feeding of long natural fibres into the compounding
equipment. While feeding of chopped fibres (1/2 inch or less)
and finely ground materials such as wood or rice hull flour
(1/16 inch or less) are routinely done in industry, the feeding
of long (0.4 to 4 inches) entangled fibres obtained from the
stem of plants such as flax, hemp and others has never been
achieved successfully. The long fibres have a clear advantage
over chopped or finely ground fibres in terms of the superior
strength that they impart to composite parts. Consistent
feeding of these fibres into conventional twin screw compounders
has proven to be a very challenging task.
One of the objectives of the project will be to establish a
detailed and complete a list of technical requirements for a
feeder intended for this application. Since such equipment does
not exists at the present time, the Acrison loss-in-weight
gravimetric feeder is the only known feeder that has the closest
approximation to the performance required to feed long entangled
fibres.
The distinctive design feature of the Acrison feeder that makes
it suitable for the feeding of entangled natural fibres of
lengths up to 4 inches is that the Acrison's bin discharger
feeder eliminates any type of convergence that could prove
detrimental to product flow and feed. The opposed multiple
auger/agitator action plus a substantially increased gravity
flow into the feed chamber combine to ensure a consistent and
unrestricted movement of stubborn-handling materials. These
features have proved to be especially effective in the feeding
of long natural fibres during experimental trials at NRC. In
addition the bin discharger feeders are also designed to
"self-empty," leaving only a minimal amount of residual material
when permitted to run empty. Stagnant areas are eliminated by
the design and rotation of the two large augers/agitators which
continuously move product inward and into the metering auger.
Mechanically, the augers/agitators and the metering auger are
geared together, driven by a single DC gear motor. The two
larger augers/agitators operate at a slower speed than the
smaller metering auger.
The proposed equipment must meet all of the following
specifications:
1. Feed rate range must be 40 - 200 lbs./hr.
2. Must feed non-free flowing low bulk density materials with
an approx. density range of 4 - 10 lbs/ft3 (0.06 to
0.16 g/cm3)
3. Fibre lengths of 10 to 100 mm (0.4-4 in.) ranging from bast
fibres (flax, hemp, jute) to grass and leaf fibres
4. Compatible with existing Coperion control system (Siemens
PLC)
5. Must have a flow error within 5%
6. The design of the system must allow for relocation to feed
different hoppers
7. Power: 240v/3ph/60Hz
8. Must be CSA approved
It is proposed to negotiate this requirement with Acrison,
Moonachie, NJ, manufacturer of the equipment.
Delivery must be made on or before 22 March 2013.
This requirement is subject to AIT/NAFTA and is excluded from
the Limited Tendering provisions for the following reasons:
Limited Tendering under the Agreement on Internal Trade is
defined under Article 506.12 "(a) to ensure compatibility with
existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such as
exclusive licenses, copyright and patent rights, or to maintain
specialized products that must be maintained by the manufacturer
or its representative" and Article 506.12 "(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." Limited Tendering under the
Agreement on North American Free Trade Agreement is defined
under 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 be supplied only by a particular supplier
and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists."
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.
