SegFlow-S3

Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)

[24-58352]

[SegFlow-S3]

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 Seg-Flow S3 is an automated sampling system that is connected to bioreactors to take samples and deliver them to a metabolite analyzer and a cell counter. This device makes it possible to collect as many samples as needed at any time, so an employee does not need to be present all day. Our requirements in terms of numbers of samples are not consistent and vary between 10 and 100 per day. This system’s segmented sampling technology is more suitable as it does not waste reagent. This technology increases production capacity and significantly reduces operating costs.

The Cell Culture Scale-Up (CCSU) team has a goal of developing and scaling up low-cost protein and vaccine production processes in a research and development environment.

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

o        Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that its product/equipment/system (as appropriate) meets the following requirements:

Must be able to sample a minimum of 0.2 mL and a maximum of 0.5 mL.

Must have a feed control that is independent of the interface software.

Must be able to dilute up to 1:400.

Must have segmented sampling to reduce sample volume.

Must be compatible with all 3 systems following: cedex bio HT, VI-CELL BLU and Dasgip 1L, while having independent feed control software.

Must have a maximum size of 92 cm X 55 cm X 52 cm to fit in the appropriate space available in the laboratory.

The instrument must have an Ethernet port and OPC connectivity to enable data transfer to the three other instruments attached to it and also to allow connection with a central data acquisition system. This is required so that the raw data can be accessed from an office or home computer.

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

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s)

o        Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

o        Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)

o        Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

o        Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement

o        Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement

o        Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement

o        Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA)

5.        Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

This proposed contract must be sole source for the following reasons:

1-        Compatibility

The Seg-Flow S3 is the only autosampler that is compatible with the Cedex Bio HT, VI-CELL BLU and DASGIP 1 L bioreactor devices while offering software that allows INDEPENDENT FEED CONTROL.

Technical constraints

A-        The laboratory (F60) designated for this device has very limited available space, so the compact size of the Seg-Flow S3 is very important. The dimensions must not exceed 92 cm x 55 cm x 52 cm. These dimensions meet our specifications and allow the equipment to fit into its assigned place in the laboratory.

B-        After cells are sampled from the bioreactor, the sample must be distributed to two other instruments for analysis. Therefore, it is essential to have segmented sampling to reduce the quantity or volume of samples required and also to guarantee sampling sterility.

The Seg-Flow S3 is the only device on the market to offer SEGMENTED SAMPLING.

6.        Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)

The following exception(s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection (d) only one person is capable of performing the contract.

7.        Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

The following exclusion(s) and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the:

a.        Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) – Article 513 (1) (b) (iii): due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

b.        Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) – Article Kbis-16 (2) (c): necessary to protect intellectual property;

c.        Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement – Article 1409 (1) (b) (iii): due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

d.        Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement – Article 17.11 (2) (b) (iii): due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

e.        Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement – referencing the WTO Protocol Amending the GPA, Article XIII (1) (b) (iii): due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

f.        Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement – Article 16.10 (1) (b) (iii): because of the absence of competition for technical reasons;

g.        Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) –Article 1409 (1) (b) (iii): due to an absence of competition for technical reasons;

8.        Period of the proposed contract or delivery date

o        The product/system/equipment (as appropriate) is to be delivered on 12 weeks after the contract is awarded 12

9.        Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Flownamics Inc. 4902 Pflaum Rd. Madison WI 53718 United States

10.        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.

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

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is March 12th 2025.

12.        Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Jonathan Soles

Telephone: 343-528-9258

E-mail: Jonathan.Soles@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

A contracting officer can use limited tendering for specific reasons outlined in the applicable trade agreements. The reason for this contract is described below:

• Exclusive Rights