UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO - NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT: #20-067
Automated Filter Testing Equipment for Covid
The University of Waterloo (UW) intends to award a single source contract to TSI Incorporated, of Shoreview, MN, USA, for the purchase of automated filter testing equipment for Covid-19 research. The budget for this entire package is approximately $420,000 CAD, not including taxes/HST.
This is an Advanced Notice indicating to the supplier community that UW intends to award a contract for this equipment to a pre-identified supplier. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date of this notice, a statement of specifications that satisfies the stated requirements set out in this Notice, the competitive requirements of the University are considered to have been met. Following notification to any suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their statement of specifications meets the requirements set out in this Notice, the contract may then be awarded to the pre-identified supplier.
If other potential suppliers submit statements of specifications during the fifteen calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in this Notice, UW will proceed to a Request for Proposal process, in order to award the contract.
Process - Suppliers who can provide equivalent equipment with proven functionality required for the research, within budget, are encouraged to submit a statement of specifications, in writing, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of specifications must unequivocally demonstrate how the supplier meets these advertised requirements within budget.
SPECIFICATIONS –
The Automated Filter Testing Equipment suite being purchased consists of one (1) TSI CERTITEST Automated Filter Tester Model 8130A, and, one (1) Automated Filter Tester Model 3160, as follows:
- Fractional Efficiency Filter Tester (115 VAC)
- 3088 Advanced Aerosol Neutralizer (Soft Xray
- 8130A Automated Filter Tester
The equipment determines penetration vs. particle size of filters and filter media, and is used for testing particulate respirator filters, disposable filtering face pieces, and a wide assortment of filter media.
TSI’s 3160 is the most advanced system available for challenging filters and filter media with submicrometer aerosols. It can be used to test both low- and high-efficiency filters and filter media, up to 99.999999% efficient (eight 9’s), or penetrations down to 0.000001%. It uses a bank of atomizers and the TSI Electrostatic Classifier to challenge a filter or filter media with known-size, monodisperse particles. Two Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs) simultaneously count the upstream and downstream particles and computer software calculates the penetration value. Filters can be sequentially challenged with up to 11 different monodisperse particle sizes in the range from 15 to 800 nm. The penetration value for each particle size is calculated. At the end of a test, the 3160 generates a curve of penetration vs. particle size and produces a summary of test results, including the most penetrating particle size (MPPS).
TSI’s established model 8130 is the world’s most-used filter tester; the new model 8130A offers higher sensitivity and resolution due to new serviceable photometers inside.
CERTITEST equipment is capable of testing product to: + US 42 CFR 84, GB2626, JMOL+ ISO 16900-3, EN 143+ ISO 23328-1 (and more) standards.
SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
The filter testing equipment being purchased is industry standard, and is widely in use across North America and around the world. The equipment is required for a Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) research project on the development of the next generation of sustainable filtration media that is related to the Covid-19 pandemic; delivery of the equipment is required on or before March 31, 2021.
The University is unaware of any other supplier/manufacturer that can provide similarly recognized equipment, offering the same functionality within budget, with a delivery date on or before March 31, 2021.
Date of issue: November 19, 2020
Closing Date: December 4, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. EST
Contact:
Christine Wagner, CPPB, CSCP – Procurement Specialist, Research
Procurement and Contract Services
University of Waterloo
Ph: 519-888-4567 ext. 32074
Email – cpwagner@uwaterloo.ca, or, procure@uwaterloo.ca
