Notice of Intended Procurement
NAME OF PROCURING ENTITY
The Governing Council of the University of Toronto (the “University”)
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTRACT PERSON COORDINATES
Renee Cheng
215 Huron Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 1A2
reneeke.cheng@utoronto.ca
PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS
The procurement documents are available at www.merx.com.
Note that obtaining access to the procurement documents will require prospective suppliers to register and pay a registration fee. Pricing and Payment Terms are available on the MERX website.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCUREMENT
The University is conducting an RFP for Gigapixel Class Balloon-Borne Imaging Telescope (GigaBIT)
The University of Toronto's Balloon Astrophysics Group invites proposals for a partnership to develop a next-generation 1.5m class balloon-borne telescope - GigaBIT. The instrument will be designed to deliver enhanced resolution and a broader field of view. The telescope will be flown on NASA’s Super-Pressure Balloon (SPB) platform at the end of the optional extended contract period.
The scope of work will cover the development of the telescope’s gondola, precision pointing system, test flight telescope and its associated optics, camera, power system, and both ground and flight software. It will also include support for a test flight to verify system performance.
The successful Proponent will be expected to collaborate closely with the GigaBIT research team and its students in the development of the payload, facilitating an environment that integrates practical engineering tasks with academic learning opportunities.
The procurement is anticipated to involve negotiation. An electronic auction is not anticipated.
ADDRESS AND FINAL DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Submissions must be submitted electronically at https://utoronto.bonfirehub.ca/ on or before Thursday, July 04, 2024 (2:00 PM local time). The submissions will not be opened publicly.
CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
Proponents should achieve a score of 65% of subtotal score 55 points from Schedule D Part 1 section B.1 (Experience and Qualifications) and B.2 (Technical Requirements), out of total 100 points.
APPLICABLE TRADE AGREEMENTS
This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s):
- The Canadian Free Trade Agreement, Chapter Five
- The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, Chapter 19
- The Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Chapter 9
CONTRACT DETAILS
The term of Agreement is intended to be for a period of five (5) years including the first three years for instrument development and a test flight, and optional two (2) years for the science flight.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The University will base its selection of qualified suppliers on the following criteria:
Schedule D Part 1
Technical Submission Requirements Weight
B.1 Experience and Qualifications 5
B.2 Technical Requirements 50
B.2.1 Gondola and Pointing System 10
B.2.2 Test Flight Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA) 10
B.2.3 Image Stabilization System 3
B.2.4 Science Camera 5
B.2.5 Filter Changer 3
B.2.6 Telescope Alignment Equipment and Procedures 5
B.2.7 Software Requirements (Command and Data Handling - CDH) 3
B.2.8 Ground Station Hardware 2
B.2.9 Preflight Integration and Testing 5
B.2.10 Test Flight Integration and Operation 2
B.2.11 Regulatory and Industry Standards Compliance 1
B.2.12 Footprint Requirements 1
B.3 Development, Construction, Delivery,
Installation and Acceptance 5
B.4 Collaboration and Training 15
B.5 Repairs and Service 3
B.6 Optional Contract Extensions 2
Schedule D Part 2 Financial Submission 20
Total 100
Optional Demonstration 15
Total incl. Optional Presentation 115
NOTES
Suppliers should note that information contained within this notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to obtain the procurement documents which contain the most current information. If there is a conflict between the procurement documents and this notice, the procurement documents will take precedence.
