The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) requires the supply and delivery of one (1) Portable Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer, hereby known as XRF Analyzer, for delivery to Ottawa ON. The XRF Analyzer will enable the laboratory to quantitatively determine the elemental composition of metal samples. The XRF Analyzer must include an X-ray tube to energize the atoms in conductive solid metallic samples, resulting in the formation of X-rays. The chemical composition of the metallic materials will be determined by analyzing the resulting X-ray spectrum. The NRC will not accept prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished equipment. Proposals should include equipment that meets the latest industry standards, offers long-term parts availability, and has proven reliability in similar installations.
PART 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Security Requirements
The Security Requirement Check List (SRCL) is attached at Annex C and forms part of this Request For Proposal (RFP).
1.2 Statement of Requirement
To provide one (1) Portable Handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer in accordance with the detailed Statement of Requirement attached as Annex A.
1.3 Debriefings
Bidders may request a debriefing on the results of the bid solicitation process. Bidders should make the request to the Contracting Authority within 15 working days from receipt of the results of the bid solicitation process. The debriefing may be in writing, by telephone or in person.
PART 2 - BIDDER INSTRUCTIONS
2.1 Standard Instructions, Clauses and Conditions
All instructions, clauses and conditions identified in the bid solicitation by number, date and title are set out in the Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions Manual (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/how-procurement-works/policies-and-guidelines/standard-acquisition-clauses-and-conditions-manual) issued by Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Although the CanadaBuys site describes the clauses and conditions as archived, the clauses and conditions are valid. The Government of Canada is in the process of updating all contract templates.
Until the new process is in effect, NRC will be using the clauses and conditions labelled as archived.
To access the various clauses and conditions, please follow the instructions below.
You are invited to submit one electronic Technical Bid and one electronic Financial Bid in two separate attachments to fulfil the following requirement forming part of this Request for Proposal (RFP). One attachment must be clearly marked ‘Technical Bid’ and the other attachment must be marked ‘Financial Bid’. All financial information must be fully contained in the Financial Bid, and only in the Financial Bid. Bidders who provide financial information in the technical bid will be disqualified. All Bids should include the front page of this RFP duly completed.
2010A (2022-12-01), General Conditions - Goods (Medium Complexity), apply to and form part of the Contract.
Bidders who submit a bid agree to be bound by the instructions, clauses and conditions of the bid solicitation and accept the clauses and conditions of the resulting contract.
Bids submitted must be valid for not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date of the RFP.
2.1.1 It is the Bidder's responsibility to:
(a) return a signed copy of the bid solicitation, duly completed, IN THE FORMAT REQUESTED;
(b) direct its bid ONLY to the Bid Receiving address specified under 2.3 Submission of Bids;
(c) ensure that the Bidder's name, the bid solicitation reference number, and bid solicitation closing date and time are clearly visible;
(d) provide a comprehensive and sufficiently detailed bid, including all requested pricing details, that will permit a complete evaluation in accordance with the criteria set out in the bid solicitation.
Timely and correct transmission of bids to the specified bid email address is the sole responsibility of the Bidder. The National Research Council Canada (NRC) will not assume or have transferred to it those responsibilities. All risks and consequences of incorrect transmission of bids is the responsibility of the Bidder.
2.1.2 Bids may be accepted in whole or in part. The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted. In the case of error in the extension of prices, the unit price will govern. NRC may enter into contract without negotiation.
2.1.3 While NRC may enter into contract without negotiation, Canada reserves the right to negotiate with bidders on any procurement.
2.1.4 Notwithstanding the bid validity period stipulated in this solicitation, Canada reserves the right to seek an extension from all responsive bidders, within a minimum of three (3) days prior to the end of such period. Bidders shall have the option to either accept or reject the extension.
2.1.5 If the extension referred to above is accepted, in writing, by all responsive bidders, Canada will continue with the evaluation of the bids and its approval processes.
2.1.6 If the extension referred to above is not accepted, in writing, by all responsive bidders, Canada will, at its sole discretion, either continue to evaluate the bids of those who have accepted the extension and seek the necessary approvals; or cancel the solicitation; or cancel and reissue the solicitation.
2.2 Condition of Material – Bid
Material supplied must be new and conform to the latest issue of the applicable drawing, specification and/or part number that is in effect on the bid solicitation closing date.
2.3 Submission of Bids
Bids must be submitted only electronically to the National Research Council Canada (NRC) Bid Receiving email address, no later than 14:00 EDT (NRC's Server Time), November 22, 2024, to the following NRC email address:
NRC.BidReceiving-ReceptiondesSoumissions.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
The NRC has restrictions on incoming e-mail messages. The maximum e-mail message size including all file attachments must not exceed 10MB. Zip files or links to bid documents will not be accepted. Incoming e-mail messages exceeding the maximum file size and/or containing zip file attachments will be blocked from entering the NRC e-mail system. A bid transmitted by e-mail that gets blocked by the NRC e-mail system will be considered not received.
Bids must not be sent directly to the Contracting Authority.
All submitted bids become the property of NRC.
Due to the nature of the bid solicitation, hard copy bids (paper or soft copies on media) and bids transmitted by facsimile to NRC will not be accepted.
2.4 Late Bids
All risks and consequences of incorrect delivery of electronic bids are the responsibility of the Bidder. The National Research Council Canada will not be responsible for late bids received at destination after the closing date and time, even if it was submitted before. Electronic bids received after the indicated closing time based on NRC servers’ received time will be irrevocably rejected. Bidders are urged to send their bid in sufficient time, in advance of the closing time to reduce any technical issues. The National Research Council Canada will not be held responsible for bids sent before closing time but received by the NRC servers after the closing time.
2.5 Enquiries - Bid Solicitation
All enquiries must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Authority no later than five (5) calendar days before the bid closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.
To ensure the equality of information among Bidders, responses to general enquiries will be made available to all bidders unless such publications would reveal proprietary information. The bidder who initiates the question will not be identified. Technical questions that are considered proprietary by the bidder must be clearly identified. NRC will respond individually to the bidder if it considers the questions proprietary. If NRC does not consider the question proprietary, the bidder submitting it will be allowed to withdraw the question, or have the question and answer made available through the Open Bidding System (OBS) to all bidders.
Bidders who attempt to obtain information regarding any aspect of this RFP during the solicitation period through any NRC contacts other than the Contracting Authority identified herein, may be disqualified (for that reason alone).
It is the responsibility of the Bidder to obtain clarification of the requirement contained herein, if necessary, prior to submitting its proposal. The Bidder must have written confirmation from the Contracting Authority for any changes, alterations, etc., concerning this RFP.
Bidders should reference as accurately as possible the numbered item of the bid solicitation to which the enquiry relates. Care should be taken by Bidders to explain each question in sufficient detail in order to enable Canada to provide an accurate answer. Technical enquiries that are of a proprietary nature must be clearly marked "proprietary" at each relevant item. Items identified as "proprietary" will be treated as such except where Canada determines that the enquiry is not of a proprietary nature. Canada may edit the question(s) or may request that the Bidder do so, so that the proprietary nature of the question(s) is eliminated, and the enquiry can be answered to all Bidders. Enquiries not submitted in a form that can be distributed to all Bidders may not be answered by Canada.
2.6 Applicable Laws
Any resulting contract must be interpreted and governed, and the relations between the parties determined, by the laws in force in Ontario.
Bidders may, at their discretion, substitute the applicable laws of a Canadian province or territory of their choice without affecting the validity of their bid, by deleting the name of the Canadian province or territory specified and inserting the name of the Canadian province or territory of their choice. If no change is made, it acknowledges that the applicable laws specified are acceptable to the Bidders.
2.7 Bid Challenge and Recourse Mechanisms
(a) Several mechanisms are available to potential suppliers to challenge aspects of the procurement process up to and including contract award.
(b) Canada encourages suppliers to first bring their concerns to the attention of the Contracting Authority. The CanadaBuys website, under the heading “Following up on a bid” contains information on potential complaint bodies such as:
• Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO)
• Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT)
(c) Suppliers should note that there are strict deadlines for filing complaints, and the time periods vary depending on the complaint body in question. Suppliers should therefore act quickly when they want to challenge any aspect of the procurement process.
2.8 Review of Complaint
The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) was established by the Government of Canada to provide an impartial, independent venue for Canadian bidders to raise complaints regarding the administration of certain federal contracts, regardless of dollar value. If you have concerns regarding the administration of a federal contract, you may contact OPO by e-mail at opo.boa@opo-boa.gc.ca, by telephone at 1-866-734-5169, or by web at www.opo-boa.gc.ca.
PART 3 - BID PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS
3.1 Bid Preparation Instructions
Canada requests that the Bidder submits its bid in separate attachment sections (when applicable) as follows:
Section I: Technical Bid
Section II: Financial Bid (Prices must appear in the Financial Bid only. No prices must be indicated in any other section of the bid.)
Section III: Certifications
There shall be no payment by the National Research Council (NRC) for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals in response to this request. No payment shall be made for costs incurred for clarification(s) and/or demonstration(s) that may be required by NRC. The National Research Council reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted, or to accept any proposal in whole or in part without negotiation. A contract will not necessarily be issued as a result of this competition. NRC reserves the right to amend, cancel or reissue this requirement at any time.
In April 2006, Canada issued a policy directing federal departments and agencies to take the necessary steps to incorporate environmental considerations into the procurement process Policy on Green Procurement (https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32573). To assist Canada in reaching its objectives, bidders should:
1) Include all environmental certification(s) relevant to your organization (e.g., ISO 14001, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Carbon Disclosure Project, etc.)
2) Include all environmental certification(s) or Environmental Product Declaration(s) (EPD) specific to your product/service (e.g., Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ENERGYSTAR, etc.)
Canada is committed to greening its supply chain. Environmentally preferable goods and services are those that have a lesser or reduced impact on the environment over the life cycle of the good or service, when compared with competing goods or services serving the same purpose. Environmental performance considerations include, among other things: the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air contaminants; improved energy and water efficiency; reduced waste and support reuse and recycling; the use of renewable resources; reduced hazardous waste; and reduced toxic and hazardous substances. In accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement (https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32573), for this solicitation:
• Bidders are encouraged to offer or suggest green solutions whenever possible.
• Bidders are requested to provide all correspondence including (but not limited to) documents, reports and invoices in electronic format unless otherwise specified by the Contracting Authority or Project Authority, thereby reducing printed material.
• Bidders should recycle (shred) unneeded copies of non-classified/secure documents (taking into consideration the Security Requirements).
• Product components used in performing the services should be recyclable and/or reusable, whenever possible.
• Bidders are encouraged to offer goods and/or services certified to a reputable eco-label.
• Bidders should use equipment that has high energy efficiency or produces low air emissions.
• Bidders are encouraged to offer environmentally preferred products which supports a sustainable environment for nature and wildlife.
• Bidders are encouraged to offer environmentally preferred products which ensure the comfort and air quality of building occupants.
Bidders are encouraged to consult the following websites:
https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/ae-gp/index-eng.html
https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/ae-gp/rle-glr-eng.html
Section I: Technical Bid
In their technical bid, Bidders should explain and demonstrate how they propose to meet the requirements and how they will carry out the Work.
Section II: Financial Bid
(a) Pricing: Bidders must submit their financial bid in accordance with the Basis of Payment including Annex B – Basis of Payment. The applicable taxes must be indicated separately.
(b) All Costs to be Included: The financial bid must include all costs for the requirement described in the bid solicitation for the entire Contract Period. The identification of all necessary equipment, software, peripherals, cabling and components required to meet the requirements of the bid solicitation and the associated costs of these items is the sole responsibility of the Bidder.
(c) Blank Prices: Bidders are requested to insert “$0.00” for any item for which it does not intend to charge or for items that are already included in other prices set out in the tables. If the Bidder leaves any price blank, Canada will treat the price as “$0.00” for evaluation purposes and may request that the Bidder confirm that the price is, in fact, $0.00. No bidder will be permitted to add or change a price as part of this confirmation. Any bidder who does not confirm that the price for a blank item is $0.00 will be declared non-responsive.
3.1.1 Electronic Payment of Invoices – Bid
Payments from the National Research Council Canada (NRC) are made by electronic payment. Direct deposit payments will be made in Canadian dollars and can only be deposited into Canadian bank accounts.
Only bank accounts outside of Canada are eligible to enroll as a Wire transfer payment method.
3.1.2 Exchange Rate Fluctuation
The requirement does not offer exchange rate fluctuation risk mitigation. Requests for exchange rate fluctuation risk mitigation will not be considered. All bids including such provision will render the bid non-responsive.
Section III: Certifications
Bidders must submit the certifications and additional information required under Part 5.
PART 4 - EVALUATION PROCEDURES AND BASIS OF SELECTION
4.1 Evaluation Procedures
(a) Bids will be assessed in accordance with the entire requirement of the bid solicitation including technical evaluation criteria.
(b) An evaluation team composed of representatives of Canada will evaluate the bids.
4.1.1 Technical Evaluation
Proposals will be assessed in accordance with the mandatory and rated (if applicable) evaluation below. Bidders shall provide a detailed response to each criterion. NRC reserves the right to verify any and all information provided by the bidder in their proposal.
4.1.1.1 Mandatory Technical Criteria
The following requirements are the mandatory technical evaluation criteria which will be evaluated during the Bid Evaluation. In addition, the Contractor will be required to meet all of the mandatory technical requirements for the duration of the Contract.
Bidders are requested to cross reference the mandatory technical criteria in a concise format by using page, paragraph(s) & sub-paragraphs as applicable to their supporting technical documentation.
The portable handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer (XRF Analyzer) must meet all of the following mandatory technical evaluation criteria. Bidders must demonstrate their compliance with all of the following mandatory evaluation technical criteria by providing substantial information describing completely and in detail how each requirement is met or addressed.
ITEM CRITERIA REQUIRED SUBSTANTIATION
Bidder must indicate how they meet the performance specification by recording this information in this column REFERENCE TO SUBSTANTIATION IN THE TECHNICAL BID.
In this column, Bidders must cross-reference where this performance specification is indicated in their supporting documents
M1 The XRF Analyzer must have an Si drift detector (SSD) capable of detecting and quantitatively measure elemental composition, and perform positive material identification: metallic material ferrous and non-ferrous; including ability to quantify low atomic number element such as magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P);
M2 The XRF Analyzer must have a window-shield to protect detector from sharp and uneven objects (e.g. graphene window);
M3 The XRF Analyzer must have a high performance and TFT LCD touchscreen display minimum 2.5 inch in size;
M4 The XRF Analyzer must have an integrated camera for viewing sample before analysis to assist with proper sample alignment
M5 The XRF Analyzer must weigh less than 2kg with battery (not including a stationary test stand);
M6 The XRF Analyzer must have WIFI and USB connectivity;
M7 The XRF Analyzer must have an operating temperature between 0°C to 40°C and operating humidity range between 10% to 90% relative humidity noncondensing.
4.1.2 Financial Evaluation
The financial evaluation will be conducted by calculating the Total Aggregated Cost of the Fixed Price for the initial requirement and the optional requirement requested in accordance with the pricing tables provided in Annex B – Basis of Payment.
Evaluation of Price - Bid
The price of the bid will be evaluated in Canadian dollars, Applicable Taxes excluded, DAP ‘Delivered at Place’ Ottawa ON Incoterms® 2020, Canadian customs duties and excise taxes excluded.
4.2 Basis of Selection
Mandatory Technical Criteria
A bid must comply with the requirements of the bid solicitation and meet all mandatory technical evaluation criteria to be declared responsive. The responsive bid with the lowest evaluated price will be recommended for award of a contract.
PART 5 – CERTIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bidders must provide the required certifications and additional information to be awarded a contract.
The certifications provided by Bidders to Canada are subject to verification by Canada at all times. Unless specified otherwise, Canada will declare a bid non-responsive, or will declare a contractor in default if any certification made by the Bidder is found to be untrue whether made knowingly or unknowingly, during the bid evaluation period or during the contract period.
The Contracting Authority will have the right to ask for additional information to verify the Bidder’s certifications. Failure to comply and to cooperate with any request or requirement imposed by the Contracting Authority will render the bid non-responsive or constitute a default under the Contract.
5.1 Certifications Required with the Bid
Bidders must submit the following duly completed certifications as part of their bid.
5.1.1 Integrity Provisions - Declaration of Convicted Offences
In accordance with the Integrity Provisions of the Standard Instructions, all bidders must provide with their bid, if applicable, the declaration form available on the Forms for the Integrity Regime website (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/standards-oversight/supplier-integrity-compliance/forms.html#s2), to be given further consideration in the procurement process.
5.2 Certifications Precedent to Contract Award and Additional Information
The certifications and additional information listed below should be submitted with the bid but may be submitted afterwards. If any of these required certifications or additional information is not completed and submitted as requested, the Contracting Authority will inform the Bidder of a time frame within which to provide the information. Failure to provide the certifications or the additional information listed below within the time frame provided will render the bid non-responsive.
5.2.1 Integrity Provisions – Required Documentation
In accordance with the section titled Information to be provided when bidding, contracting or entering into a real property agreement of the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy (http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ci-if/politique-policy-eng.html), the Bidder must provide the required documentation, as applicable, to be given further consideration in the procurement process.
In addition to all other information required in the procurement process, the Bidder must provide the following:
• Bidders who are incorporated, including those bidding as a joint venture, must provide a complete list of names of all individuals who are currently directors of the Bidder or, in the case of a private company, the owners of the company.
• Bidders bidding as sole proprietorship, as well as those bidding as a joint venture, must provide the name of the owner(s).
SURNAME GIVEN NAME(S) TITLE
5.2.2 Product Conformance
The Bidder certifies that all goods proposed conform, and will continue to conform throughout the period of the contract, to the requirement detailed under Annex A.
__________________________________ ________________
Bidder's authorized representative signature Date
PART 6 - RESULTING CONTRACT CLAUSES
The following clauses and conditions apply to and form part of any contract resulting from the bid solicitation.
6.1 Security Requirements
The Security Requirement Check List (SRCL) is attached at Annex C and forms part of this contract.
6.2 Statement of Requirement
The Contractor must provide the items detailed under the "Requirement" at Annex A.
6.3 Standard Clauses and Conditions
All clauses and conditions identified in the Contract by number, date and title are set out in the Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions Manual (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/how-procurement-works/policies-and-guidelines/standard-acquisition-clauses-and-conditions-manual) issued by Public Works and Government Services Canada.
6.3.1 General Conditions
2010A (2022-12-01), General Conditions - Goods (Medium Complexity), apply to and form part of the Contract.
6.3.2 Supplemental General Conditions
4001 (2015-04-01), Hardware Purchase, Lease and Maintenance; and
4003 (2010-08-16), Licensed Software; apply to and form part of the Contract.
6.4 Term of Contract
6.4.1 Period of the Contract
The period of the Contract begins on the date the Contract is awarded and ends one (1) year after delivery and acceptance of the work;
6.4.2 Delivery Date
All the deliverables must be received on or before March 31, 2025.
6.4.3 Delivery Points
Delivery of the requirement will be made to delivery point specified below:
National Research Council Canada
1200 Montreal Road
Ottawa ON K1A 0R6
6.4.4 Shipping Instructions - Delivered at Place
Goods must be consigned and delivered to the destination specified in the Contract:
Delivery at Place (DAP) Ottawa ON K1A 0R6 Incoterms® 2020 for shipments from a commercial contractor.
NRC Customs contacts for any Customs and Transportation Logistics enquiries:
- Daniel Frampton: (613) 993-9113 / daniel.frampton@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
- Christian Latreille: (613) 993-2259 / christian.latreille@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
As part of NRC’s commitment to Greening Government Operations, the Contractor is encouraged to minimize, include recycled content, re-use, or reduce/eliminate toxics in packaging, when possible.
6.4.5 Packaging
The methods used for preservation and packaging must be in conformity with the Contractor’s normal standard for domestic shipment or, if necessary, with standards for overseas shipment as below deck cargo.
6.4.6 Delivery and Unloading
1. Delivery trucks must be equipped with an unloading device which will permit unloading at sites with no hydraulic, stationary or other type of unloading facility.
2. When making deliveries, sufficient personnel must be provided to permit unloading of any type of vehicle without the assistance of federal government personnel.
3. At some sites, the delivery truck must be unloaded while parked at the curb. When material is placed on the sidewalk, it must be placed in proximity to the designated entrance so as to be readily accessible to transport by mechanical handling equipment utilized by site personnel.
6.5 Authorities
6.5.1 Contracting Authority
The Contracting Authority for the Contract is:
Katie Homuth
Senior Contracting Officer
National Research Council Canada (NRC)
Finance and Procurement Services (FPS) Branch
1200 Montreal Road, Building M-58, Ottawa ON K1A 0R6
E-mail address: Katie.Homuth@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca / Phone: 343-549-4539
The Contracting Authority is responsible for the management of the Contract and any changes to the Contract must be authorized in writing by the Contracting Authority. The Contractor must not perform work in excess of or outside the scope of the Contract based on verbal or written requests or instructions from anybody other than the Contracting Authority.
6.5.2 Technical Authority [to be completed at contract award]
The Technical Authority for the Contract is:
Name: _________
Title: _________
Organization: __________
Address: __________
Telephone: ___ ___ _______
E-mail address: ___________
The Technical Authority is the representative of the department or agency for whom the Work is being carried out under the Contract and is responsible for all matters concerning the technical content of the Work under the Contract. Technical matters may be discussed with the Technical Authority; however, the Technical Authority has no authority to authorize changes to the scope of the Work. Changes to the scope of the Work can only be made through a contract amendment issued by the Contracting Authority.
6.5.3 Contractor's Representative [to be completed by the Bidder]
Name: _________
Title: _________
Address: __________
Telephone: ___ ___ _______
E-mail address: ___________
6.6 Payment
6.6.1 Basis of Payment
The Contractor will be paid for costs reasonably and properly incurred in the performance of the work under this Contract in accordance with the following:
In consideration of the Contractor satisfactorily completing all of its obligations under the Contract, the Contractor will be paid a fixed unit price as specified in Annex B for a cost of $ _________ insert the amount at contract award). Customs duties are excluded and Applicable Taxes are extra.
Canada will not pay the Contractor for any design changes, modifications or interpretations of the Work, unless they have been approved, in writing, by the Contracting Authority before their incorporation into the Work.
6.6.2 Method of Payment - Single Payment
Canada will pay the Contractor upon completion and delivery of the Work in accordance with the payment provisions of the Contract if:
a. an accurate and complete invoice and any other documents required by the Contract have been submitted in accordance with the invoicing instructions provided in the Contract;
b. all such documents have been verified by Canada;
c. the Work delivered has been accepted by Canada.
6.6.3 Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions (SACC) Manual Clauses
C2000C (2007-11-30), Taxes - Foreign-based Contractor
C2605C (2008-05-12), Canadian Customs Duties and Sales Tax - Foreign-based Contractor
6.6.4 Electronic Payment of Invoices – Contract
The Contractor accepts to be paid using any of the following Electronic Payment Instrument(s):
a. Direct Deposit (Domestic Only);
b. Wire Transfer (International Only);
6.7 Inspection and Acceptance
The Technical Authority is the Inspection Authority. All reports, deliverable items, documents, good and all services rendered under the Contract are subject to inspection by the Inspection Authority or representative. Should any report, document, good or service not be in accordance with the Statement of Requirement and to the satisfaction of the Inspection Authority, as submitted, the Inspection Authority will have the right to reject it or require its correction at the sole expense of the Contractor before recommending payment.
6.8 Invoicing Instructions
6.8.1 The Contractor must submit invoices in accordance with the section entitled "Invoice Submission" of the general conditions. Invoices cannot be submitted until all work identified in the invoice is completed.
6.8.2 Invoices must be distributed as follows:
(a) Invoices and order confirmations MUST be sent via e-mail to:
nrc.invoice-facture.cnrc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
(b) To facilitate the payment process, it is important that the Contractor quote the contract number on all the invoices, shipping bills and packing slips. Failure to do so will delay payment and the date used for calculating interest on overdue accounts.
PLEASE QUOTE CONTRACT NO. [to be inserted at contract award] ON ALL DOCUMENTATION AND INVOICES.
6.9 Certifications and Additional Information
6.9.1 Compliance
Unless specified otherwise, the continuous compliance with the certifications provided by the Contractor in its bid or precedent to contract award, and the ongoing cooperation in providing additional information are conditions of the Contract and failure to comply will constitute the Contractor in default. Certifications are subject to verification by Canada during the entire period of the Contract.
6.10 Applicable Laws
The Contract must be interpreted and governed, and the relations between the parties determined, by the laws in force in Ontario.
6.11 Priority of Documents
If there is a discrepancy between the wording of any documents that appear on the list, the wording of the document that first appears on the list has priority over the wording of any document that subsequently appears on the list.
(a) the Articles of Agreement;
(b) the supplemental general conditions
4001 (2015-04-01), Hardware Purchase, Lease and Maintenance
4003 (2010-08-16), Licensed Software;
(c) the general conditions 2010A (2022-12-01), General Conditions - Goods (Medium Complexity);
(d) Annex A - Statement of Requirement;
(e) Annex B - Basis of Payment;
(f) Annex C – The Security Requirement Check List;
(g) the Contractor's bid dated _______ (insert date of bid).
6.12 SACC Manual Clauses
B1501C (2018-06-21) Electrical equipment
B7500C (2006-06-16) Excess Goods
D2000C (2007-11-30) Marking
D2001C (2007-11-30) Labeling
D9002C (2007-11-30) Incomplete Assemblies
G1005C (2016-01-28) Insurance – No Specific Requirements
6.13 Dispute Resolution
The Parties agree to make every reasonable effort, in good faith, to settle amicably all disputes or claims relating to the Contract, through negotiations between the Parties’ representatives authorized to settle. If the Parties do not reach a settlement within 25 working days after the dispute was initially raised to the other party in writing, either Party may contact the Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) to request dispute resolution/mediation services. OPO may be contacted by e-mail opo.boa@opo-boa.gc.ca, by telephone at 1-866-734-5169, or by web at www.opo-boa.gc.ca.
6.14 Review of complaint
The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) was established by the Government of Canada to provide an impartial, independent venue for Canadian bidders to raise complaints regarding the administration of certain federal contracts, regardless of dollar value. If you have concerns regarding the administration of a federal contract, you may contact OPO by e-mail at opo.boa@opo-boa.gc.ca, by telephone at 1-866-734-5169, or by web at www.opo-boa.gc.ca.
ANNEX A - STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENT
Portable Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) requires the supply and delivery of one (1) portable handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer, hereby known as XRF Analyzer, for delivery to Ottawa ON. The XRF Analyzer will enable the laboratory to quantitatively determine the elemental composition of metal samples. The XRF Analyzer must include an X-ray tube to energize the atoms in conductive solid metallic samples, resulting in the formation of X-rays. The chemical composition of the metallic materials will be determined by analyzing the resulting X-ray spectrum. The NRC will not accept prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished equipment. Proposals should include equipment that meets the latest industry standards, offers long-term parts availability, and has proven reliability in similar installations.
1.0 Specifications:
1.1 The Contractor must provide one (1) XRF Analyzer with the technical specifications listed below:
Technical Specifications: The XRF Analyzer must:
1.1.1 do positive material identification and quantitatively measure metal composition;
1.1.2 be able to quantify low atomic number element such as magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P);
1.1.3 come with calibration that allows performing light metal identification capability;
1.1.4 be able to perform identification and quantitative measure of a range of metallic material ferrous and non-ferrous elements:
-nickel-based alloy, stainless steel, cobalt based alloy, steel, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, tool steel, copper alloys (brass & bronze), Inconel, Hastelloy, super alloys;
1.1.5 have capability to allow users to add materials in the library for custom material not already in library;
1.1.6 be configured and calibrated at factory before delivery using certified reference materials;
1.1.7 have a typical measurement and analysis time less than 60 seconds per sample;
1.1.8 have a Si drift detector (SSD) capable of detecting elemental composition;
1.1.9 have a standard analysis spot diameter equal or less than 12mm;
1.1.10 have a window-shield to protect detector from sharp and uneven objects (e.g. graphene window);
1.1.11 weigh less than 2kg with battery (not including a stationary test stand);
1.1.12 have low detection limits (both instrument and methods) lower than 100 parts per million (ppm) for most elements;
1.1.13 have high accuracy and precision for major elements (within ±0.1%);
1.1.14 have a touch-screen keyboard and a colour touch-screen display that is minimum 2.5 inches in size;
1.1.15 have an integrated camera for viewing sample before analysis to assist with proper sample alignment, and must have a minimum one (1) GB internal user storage;
1.1.16 have a rugged design that protects against dust and vertical spraying water at an angle up to 60° with limited liquid entry;
1.1.17 have a rugged design that is resilient to physical impact in handling, transportation and service environment; (e.g. meet MIL-STD-810);
1.1.18 have an operating temperature between 0°C to 40°C and operating humidity range between 10% to 90% relative humidity noncondensing;
1.1.19 have connection ports USB and be WIFI enabled;
1.1.20 have Window based software in English for:
-data transfer and analysis,
-allowing custom generated reports,
-print certificates of analysis,
-or remotely monitor and operate the instrument hands-free from PC;
1.1.21 have built in radiation shielding and safety interlocks that prevent unintended radiation trigger to prevent accidental exposure to x-rays such as infrared proximity sensor and other similar safety features and must meet Canadian Radiation safety requirements found at Safety requirements and guidance for analytical x-ray equipment : safety code 32 : H46-2/94-186E-PDF - Government of Canada Publications - Canada.ca
1.2 Accessories:
The XRF Analyzer must include the following accessories:
-one (1) waterproof carrying and storage case;
-computer connection cables (USB);
-include three (3) spare protective windows;
-two (2) rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs; including 110 VAC battery charger/AC adaptor (CSA approved); and
-a stationary (bench-top) test stand to hold the XRF Analyzer while allowing samples to be placed on the test stand while being operated by non-certified user.
2.0 Manuals, Warranty and Training:
2.1 The Contractor must deliver one (1) complete set of manuals/documentation, in English with the deliverables in both hard and soft copy. This documentation must include all publications pertaining to technical specifications, calibration records, installation requirements and operating instructions. All electronic copies must be in Adobe PDF format delivered on USB drive, CD or DVD.
2.2 The warranty coverage of the XRF Analyzer must include a minimum one (1)-year manufacturer’s warranty which includes all parts, labour and shipping.
2.3 The Contractor must provide in training in person to the End User’s client in English
Training for up to five (5) users must include operation and manipulation of the equipment.
The training must include but not be limited to product functionality, product features and limitations. The Contractor must provide/deliver the training within 30 calendar days after installation.
ANNEX B - BASIS OF PAYMENT
The Bidder must provide the pricing requested in the following Table in accordance with Article 6.6.1 - Basis of Payment.
Table 1: Initial Requirement:
Item Part number Description Number of Units Unit of Issue Fixed Unit Price
(CAD) Extended Price
(CAD)
1 One (1) Portable Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer as described in Annex A, including accessories:
1 Each $ _______________ $ __________________
TOTAL
(customs duties and taxes are extra, if applicable) $ __________________
