Flow Particle Image Analyzer

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada-Peru FTA/Canada-Colombia FTA 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: PANALYTIQUE INC./ PANALYTICAL 4995 Levy St-Laurent Quebec Canada H4R2N9 Nature of Requirements: Flow Particle Image Analyzer

1. Purpose of an Advance Contract Notice (ACAN)

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows department 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 goods, service or construction contract to a pre-identified supplier. 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 officer will proceed to a full tendering process.

2. Definition of requirements and sole source justification

Natural Resources Canada has a requirement for a Flow Particle Image Analyzer to conduct research in bitumen recovery.

Natural Resources Canada has the intention to purchase a Sysmex FPIA-3000S Flow Particle Image Analyzer from Malvern Instruments Canada in order to meet their research requirements. The proposed research project cannot be completed on the schedule basis without an automated, reliable and sensitive shape and size analyzer. Many efforts have been done to find another equipment with similar abilities, but the sheath flow method for rotating particles in a way that the largest area of the particles is placed toward the CCD camera is unique and patented by this company. Traditional size analyzers measure only one random dimension based on random orientation of the particles which is not the largest dimension of the particle and it cannot give any information about the size and equivalent diameter of the aggregates.

In previous research, light microscopy of individual aggregates from the sample collected during Paraffinic Solvent Froth Treatment (PSFT) tests had been used to investigate aggregate composition. In addition, a digital camera was coupled to the microscope for image acquisition. A series of micrographs (25-80) were taken of each aggregate. Then, the images in the series were transferred to a PC and stitched together using Adobe Photoshop software and an image software was used to estimate the dispersed mineral solid particles (DS) content of the aggregates based on 10 individual images processed.

Since the above mentioned processes were very time consuming and needed a lot of skills and efforts, in this research we intend to use the Sysmex FPIA-3000S flow particle image analyzer for investigating the size and shape of aggregates. Sysmex FPIA-3000S which is compatible with most commonly used solvent such as toluene, acetone, heptane and hexane offers high resolution, automated analysis of particle size and shape in a reliable, reproducible and routine manner. In this equipment comprehensive aggregate characterization data is generated in short period of time with minimal sample preparation. Extensive information including visual verification of the size and shape of each individual aggregate is acquired and reported in graphs, figures and tables. Previous report showed that the equivalent diameters of the aggregates in PSFT are in the range of 20 mm to 160 mm. Sysmex FPIA-3000S has the ability to identify the particles in the range from 1.5 mm to 160 mm and optional accessories expand the range from 3 mm to 300 mm(low magnification system) and from 0.8 mm to 80 mm(high magnification system) which are recommended for this research because of different circularity and elongation ( 1-width/lenth) of the aggregates. A sheath flow mechanism using hydrodynamic pressure selectively rotates particles to maximize the two dimensional area of particles perpendicular to the CCD camera. Each particle is then extracted and quantified through a series of sophisticated digital imaging stages using a high speed image processor. The essential attributes of Sysmex FPIA-3000S flow particle image analyzer can be classified as follows:

Clear image is obtained because all particles are in focal plane of the camera due to narrow (approximately 3 mm wide) sample flow. Using a patented sheath flow, particles are separated and oriented in a way that the largest area of the particles is placed toward the CCO camera while traditional size analyzers measure only one random dimension based on random orientation of the particles. Largest possible projected area provides the most important information about the particles in terms of shape and size. Comprehensive particle characterization data is generated in a short time, typically less than 3 minutes and with minimal sample preparation. Extensive information about each individual particle is obtained from the sample, and size and shape distributions are supported by images of the particles to supply further visual verification of determined data. Particles are fully characterized using a number of morphological parameters such as circle equivalent diameter, circularity and convexity. For each of these parameters a statistical distribution is calculated and combined in a scattergram. The scattergram is a unique fingerprint of the sample that can be used to distinguish between materials that can appear identical to a microscope or traditional particle sizer. A statistically significant number of particles (up to 300,000) are automatically analysed in a short period of time. All particle images are saved for future reference. Two versions of the FPIA-3000 are available. The standard aqueous version (FPIA-3000) designed for water and common alcohols and the solvent compatible version (FPIA-3000S) which is designed to work with a range of more aggressive solvents such as toluene, pentane and heptane which are the potential aliphatic solvent in this research. The raw data is automatically cleaned to remove erroneous noise and a background correction is applied to remove any nonuniformity of the illumination conditions. A threshold value which is a % greyscale value is applied. This value is based on the user set point (depending upon the sample) but is usually set at around 90% of the background modal value. Every pixel darker than this threshold value is then defined as particle and everything lighter than this is defined as background. The particle perimeter is determined using a technique known as chain code which allocates a value to each pixel depending on the relationship with its immediate neighbours. For example a pixel in a straight line with two of its neighbours will have a different value than a pixel on a comer. All these chain code values are then added together for the whole particle giving a more accurate perimeter value than if it was calculated by just counting the pixels and giving them all an equal weighting. Following image extraction, a number of morphological parameters such as circular equivalent diameter based on three different methods (number, area and volume based}, perimeter, area, length, width, maximum distance, minimum distance, horizontal and vertical diameter based on three different methods (Ferret, Martin and Krumbein), equivalent perimeter diameter, convexity and circularity are calculated. Since these shape parameters measure very slight deviations in particle form that could remain undetected when using manual microscopy or conventional particle sizing techniques, this equipment enable a much more sensitive characterization process than other methods and equipments. The results of a single analysis are represented in a 3 graph format - a particle size distribution, a particle shape distribution and a scattergram plot of size against shape. The statistical parameters related to each distribution (mean, mode, lower, median and upper percentile values, etc) are also presented. Images of all particles are saved. These images can be observed and manipulated through the particle viewer. The images can be magnified and sorted on any size or shape parameter allowing the operator to quickly and easily identify anomalies or the presence of unexpected foreign particles. Along with detailed data on individual records, the software has the ability to further manipulate the data and compare multiple records to identify slight differences and trends of key parameters.

3. Trade Agreements

Article 1016, Section 2, (b) of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) "...where, for works of art, or for reasons connected with the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists;"

Article 506, Section 12 (b) of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) "...where there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no alternative or substitute exists;"

4. Government Contracts Regulations Exception This contract is subject to subsection 6 (d) of the Government Contracts Regulations, in that only one person or company is capable of performing the contract.

5. Total Estimated Value CAD $118,130.40

6. Proposed Contractor Malvern Instruments Canada 499 Levy St. Montreal, QC H4R 2N9

7. Departmental Contact Person

Suppliers may address inquiries or submit their statement of capabilities to:

Name: Ian Taylor Position: Supply Specialist Tel: (780) 497-3621 Fax: (780) 497-3510 E-mail: Ian.Taylor@pwgsc.gc.ca

8. Submission of Statement of Capabilities by Suppliers

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.

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.