Trade Agreement: 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:
Clermark Inc
11309 Niagara Parkway
Niagara Falls Ontario
Canada
L2E6S6
Nature of Requirements:
ACAN
FilmArray Biodefence System
W7702-155690/A
Gerstmar, Denise
Telephone: 306-975-8912
Fax: 306-975-5397
Requirement:
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has a requirement for fieldable
biological threat agent detection and identification equipment
that is light, easy, and quick to deploy; user-friendly (easy to
set up, simple to operate); and employs validated, multiplexed,
commercial-off-the-shelf genetic assays to detect and identify
unknown biological threat(s) directly from sample matrices using
an automated "sample-to-answer" process.
Mandatory Specifications:
Number Mandatory Technical Requirement
1 The system must be capable of amplifying, detecting, and
identifying agent-specific and agent-related genetic sequences
from biological agents that are infectious to humans regardless
of the genetic composition (RNA or DNA) of the agent.
2 The system must be capable of processing and analyzing at
minimum, Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria,
vegetative bacteria, spores, enveloped viruses, and
non-enveloped viruses
3 The system must integrate cell lysis, nucleic acid
extraction/purification/reverse transcription/amplification,
detection/identification analysis, and reporting into a single
automated process without user intervention following the
addition of the unprocessed sample to the system.
4 The sample-to-answer process must take less than 90 minutes.
5 The system must be capable of detecting/identifying a minimum
of 10 different agents in a single sample during a single run.
6 The system must include internal positive control assays to
monitor detection failures.
7 The software must be Windows based.
8 The system must be able to accommodate unprocessed sample
volumes ranging from 1 µL to 100 µL.
9 Reagents must not require refrigeration or freezing and must
have a performance-guaranteed minimum shelf life of 6 months at
or below 25 °C.
10 The system must be capable of operating using standard North
American power (110V, 50/60 Hz).
11 System setup time from unpacking the system to an
operational-ready state (ready to run a sample) must take 15
minutes or less.
12 The system must weigh less than 80 pounds (36 kg).
Sole Source Justification:
The FilmArray Biodefence System is the only system that will
currently meet the mandatory technical criteria described above.
Furthermore, the FilmArray Biodefence System is compatible with
existing FilmArray Systems that are currently being assessed by
DRDC, Suffield Research Centre for the CAF.
This acquisition will permit DRDC, Suffield Research Centre to
test and evaluate the FilmArray with respect to addressing
operational issues as well as increasing capacity for science &
technology (S&T), test & evaluation (T&E), training, and
reach-back support activities.
Only Known Source of Supply:
Clerkmark Inc.
11309 Niagara River Parkway
Niagara Falls ON L2E 6S6
Trade Agreements:
Government Contracts Regulations Exception and Limited Tendering
Reason:
3.15 Non-competitive Contracting Process
b) The GCRs require the competitive soliciting of bids before
any contract is entered into. However, contracts may be
entered into without soliciting bids when:
(iv) only one person is capable of performing the contract
(GCRs 6.(d)).
AIT
Article 506: Procedures for Procurement
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;
Contract Value:
The estimated value of this procurement is $130,746.00 (GST
included).
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.
