177152 - Services for TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (177152)

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services, or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of the requirement

The Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has a requirement for a service contract for the TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA).

CanmetMINING hosts a TESCAN TIMA scanning electron microscope (SEM), which is a sophisticated characterization instrument used to perform quantitative mineralogical analyses, providing critical information for many high-impact research projects. The determination of precise quantitative mineralogical data (i.e., minerals identification, modal analysis, liberation analysis, and mineral association) is very important for many projects performed by CanmetMINING, as this information can feed directly into research at all stages, from the more fundamental aspects (e.g., extent of mineral decomposition) up to the larger-scale flowsheet development (e.g., grinding and flotation performance).

To provide reliable, high-quality data, the equipment should be provided with excellent service with minimal delay. This includes preventive maintenance, as well as timely exchange of replacement parts, and prompt response from qualified personnel.

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements)

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:

Having access to replacement parts, manuals, and schematics for the TESCAN TIMA scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Having the authority to service, repair and calibrate the TESCAN TIMA scanning electron microscope (SEM).

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement

This procurement is not subject to the trade agreement(s).

5. Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement(s)

This procurement is not subject to the Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement(s).

6. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

The supplier mentioned in section 10 below is the only known supplier that meets the mandatory criteria set out in section 3 above.

Should Canada receive a statement of capabilities from a supplier that contains sufficient information to indicate that it meets the requirements set forth in this ACAN, a competitive process will be triggered with a technical and financial evaluation methodology of the bids proposed by the potential bidders

7. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)

  The following exception(s) to the

Government Contracts Regulations

is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) - only one person is capable of performing the work.

The identified supplier in Section 10 below is the only one able to meet all the criteria identified in paragraph 3 above.

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date

The proposed contract is for a period of one year, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, with two one-year option periods.

9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract

 The estimated value of the contract, including option(s), is $60,000.00 x (GST/HST extra).

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

TESCAN USA INC

765 COMMONWEALTH DRIVE

WARRENDALE, PA 15086-7520

11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities

  Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN 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.

12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities

  The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is March 29, 2023 (EST).

13. Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Brenda Harlow

Procurement Advisor

Brenda.Harlow@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca