This is not a bid solicitation.
INTRODUCTION
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada is seeking feedback from industry and in particular a High Pressure Processing Unit suppliers.
OBJECTIVES OF THE RFI
The purpose of the Request for Information is to determine what is currently available on the market for a 4-L or 5-L (preferred; dependent on available space) High Pressure Processing Unit and to assess the footprint, capabilities, site and operational requirements for those systems. This RFI contains a list of specific questions and requests for additional documentation with regards to the HPP.
NATURE OF RFI
This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract. As a result, potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list. Therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry.
ENQUIRIES DURING RFI PROCESS
All enquiries or issues concerning this RFI must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Authority. It is the responsibility of the supplier to obtain clarification of the requirements contained herein, if necessary prior to submitting a response.
Enquiries and issues must be received by the Contracting Authority no later than two (2) business days prior to the RFI closing date to allow sufficient time to provide a response. Enquiries or issues received after that time may not be able to be answered prior to the RFI closing date.
To ensure consistency and quality of information provided to suppliers, the Contracting Authority will provide, simultaneously to all suppliers any information with respect to significant enquiries received and the replies to such enquiries without revealing the sources of the enquiries.
SUBMISSION OF RFI
The responses must be delivered to and received by the Contracting Authority no later than March 29, 2016 at 2:00PM (EST). The outside of the envelope containing the response should include the RFI number: 01B46-15-0253.
Suppliers must provide two (2) hardcopies and (1) electronic copy on a USB key.
Responses must be mailed to:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Corporate Management Branch
Assets Team – Eastern Service Centre
TENDER RECEIVING UNIT
2001 Robert-Bourassa Blvd, Suite 671-TEN
Montreal, QC
H3A 3N2
CONTRACTING AUTHORITY
Gabrielle Raina Plouffe Senior Contracting Officer and Installations Management
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
2001 Robert-Bourassa, Room 671-TEN,
Montréal, QC, H3A 3N2Telephone: (514) 315-6123
Fax: (514) 283-1918Email: G••••••••@•••.••.CA
NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED
Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.
RESPONSES COSTS
Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.
RESPONSES AND ENQUIRIES
Respondents are reminded that this is a RFI and not a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.
A review team composed of representatives of the client will review the responses on behalf of Canada. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.
Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.
PREFACE
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Guelph Research & Development Centre has a requirement for a 4-L / 5-L HPP to be housed in the Biological Contamination Unit Level 2 Pilot Plant. This equipment will assist GRDC Scientists to achieve their research mandate and to support the collaborative framework between its Scientists, Universities and Industry. The 4-L / 5-L HPP unit will include meat processing, fresh produce and dairy industry. The examples of research include: improvement of safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat (RTE) meats; validation of new packaging material for use with HPP to improve safety and shelf life of RTE meats; development of new regimes of HPP to improve safety and retain nutrition of heat sensitive/non-pasteurized foods; generation of new product safety data to support regulatory approvals by Health Canada.
QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY
General Questions
1. What is the final footprint of the system?
2. What is the gross weight of the system?
What is the required floor loading capacity to hold the system?
Does this system require special placement?
3. What are the shipping dimensions and requirements?
What is the shipping weight of the system?
What equipment is needed to unload equipment from loading dock to desired area?
4. What are the power requirements (Volt/Amps)?
5. Is the system CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved?
6. What are the environmental limitations?
7. What are the building service requirements? (ie. Air, water, cooling water)
Equipment Questions
1. What is the height of pressure vessel?
2. What is the internal dimension of the vessel?
Can it be custom designed to fit our requirement?
3. What is the temperature range for high pressure treatment?
The number of Thermocouples and position?
If so, how many thermocouples can the chamber accommodate?
4. Does the equipment come with a ‘tempering device’?
Can the temperature of the pressure fluid be controlled?
5. Does the equipment preform an isotherm process?
What is the temperature range?
4. What type of pressure fluid is required?
What are the specifications?
5. Decompression
I. Does it become with soft decompression?
6. Is the system equipped with a programmable control unit?
Timeline Questions
What are the expected minimum and average times required to deliver and install a HPP system?
How long are the operator and technician training sessions?
What is the maximum number of operators that may be trained in one session?
Does the training involve routine maintenance of the equipment?
Can the training be done at our centre?
How long will this be supported (ie parts)?
What is the warranty on this system?
Is there a ‘Service Technician’ in southern Ontario?
What is the response time?
6. What is the delivery timeline on stocked parts in the warehouse?
Additional Information Requested
1. System installation layout drawings showing dimensions of the system and clearance required around the unit.
2. Documentation for all components of the system.
A parts list for future reference.
3. Photographic collection of images; a collection of photographic images (in JPEG format) of the proposed system.
4. List of current certifications that the system has.
5. List of locations at which a similar system is already in operation.
6. A price is requested for the system and for any services (installation, training and accessories) for budgetary purposes.
