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: Government Objectives Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address:
QUANTEL USA 601 Hagerty Lane Bozeman Montana United States 59715 Nature of Requirements:
ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE - 31026-130033/A
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, during this posting period, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the competitive requirements of the government's contracting policy have been met. Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their Statement of Capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the electronic bidding authorities.
If other potential suppliers submit Statements of Capabilities during the posting period which meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, (i.e. considered valid) then the contracting authority must proceed to a full tendering process (electronic or traditional).
The objectives of posting an ACAN are to:
a) enhance transparency in government procurement; b) support the Government's objective of enhanced competition;
c) provide potential suppliers the opportunity to submit a statement of capabilities to a proposed directed procurement if they believe they have the capability and capacity to provide the good, service or construction requirement; and,
d) meet the government's and suppliers need for an efficient and cost-effective government procurement system.
REQUIREMENTS OR EXPECTED RESULTS
Acquisition of a diode-pumped solid-state laser source.
Requirement Description: Within the context of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) activities in the Energy, Mining and Environment Portfolio, our group is devoted to the exploration and development of industrial applications based on the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology.
LIBS is a powerful analytical technique which allows obtaining the elemental composition of a material, through the analysis of the spectral signature of a micro-plasma formed on the target surface by an intense pulsed laser.
We are presently devising a portable LIBS probe for the purpose of determining the in-situ concentration of trace elements in underground geological structures.
This particular development entails the use of a laser source (which is the most critical component of the probe) with very specific characteristics.
JUSTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT TO ACQUIRE
The laser source must: 1. Consist of a Nd:YAG amplifying/oscillating medium, with optical emission wavelength at 1064 nm; 2. Be based on a solid-state, diode-pumped ("DPSS") configuration; 3. Use "Q-switching", in order to achieve light pulses with temporal profiles not exceeding 8 ns,
full-width at half-maximum (FWHM); 4. Be equipped with an active electro-optic Q-switch device of the "Pockels cell" type, which allows fast and accurate external synchronization of the emitted light pulse with external devices;
5. Provide 25 mJ energy per pulse; 6. Allow operation at variable repetition rates up to 100 Hz; 7. Be based on a cavity configuration of the "unstable" type, featuring a Graded Reflectivity Mirror (GRM) output coupler (with Gaussian reflectivity profile), in order to insure that the beam parameters will meet the required specifications (see §8 below); 8. Emit a laser beam whose divergence (full angle) will not exceed 1.5 mrad, with a beam diameter (waist) smaller or equal to 2.7 mm; 9. Possess a laser head whose dimensions do not exceed 220 x 130 x 70 mm; 10. Possess a laser head whose weight is comprised between 3.0 and 3.5 kg; 11. Be cooled by air convection; 12. Be able to operate within an ambient temperature range from 10 to 35°C.
In order to ensure a successful issue to the project, it is mandatory that the selected laser unit meet all the above-mentioned technical requirements.
Following a thorough investigation of the laser sources available on the market, we came to the conclusion that presently, the only device whose specifications are consistent with our requirements is the Centurion laser unit, manufactured by the Quantel group.
JUSTIFICATION OF SUGGESTED SUPPLIER Given the unique nature of this development [a robust and portable technology dedicated to field-deployed analytical measurements], specifically in terms of the strict constraints involved in the selection of the probe components (especially the laser source)
QUANTEL CENTURION LASER 601 Haggerty Lane
Bozeman, MT 59715-2001
USA
APPLICABLE TRADE AGREEMENTS
This purchase is subject to the following agreements: -
Internal Trade Agreement (ITA) - North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
PERIOD OF THE PROPOSED STANDING OFFER
The delivery must be on or before March 31th, 2014 the latest.
PROCEDURE FOR RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF AWARD OF CONTRACT
"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."
CLOSING DATE OF THE THE NOTICE OF AWARD OF CONTRACT
October October 23rd, 2013.
DOCUMENTATION MAY BE SUBMITTED IN EITHER OFFICIAL LANGUAGES 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.
