Genotyping Platform

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid Attachment: None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: FLUIDIGM CORPORATION 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 100 San Francisco California United States 94080 Nature of Requirements: FLUIDIGM BIOMARK HD PLATFORM

31029-137743/A Tammy Kozak Telephone No. - (204) 984-8825 Fax No. - (204) 983-7796

1. INTRODUCTION Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf of the National Research Council (NRC) in Saskatoon, SK intends to solicit a proposal and negotiate a contract with Fluidigm Corporation in California, USA for the for the supply, installation, and training of a Fluidigm Biomark HD platform consisting of: (1) Biomark HD Reader, (3) Integrated Fluidic Circuit controllers, (2) Access Array Integrated Fluidic Circuit Controllers, and (1) C1 Single cell Auto Prep system.

2. BACKGROUND NRC-Saskatoon is a centre of excellence for the development and improvement of molecular tools for crop breeding. NRC-Saskatoon has made a major commitment to establishing advanced molecular biology, genetics and genomics technologies in the DNA Technologies Laboratory, to further the rapid development of improved crop germplasm. An important project supported at NRC-Saskatoon is the NRC Wheat Flagship incorporating the Genomics Assisted Breeding (GAB) project and aligned to the Genome Canada "Canadian Triticum Advancement through Genomics (CTAG)" project. Both of these projects are carrying out large-scale sequencing and genotyping in the major Canadian wheat crop species and varieties. A key aspect of this work is the screening of large numbers of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) from multiple wheat varieties and large segregating populations derived from crosses of these varieties. The platform must have the potential to process up to 100,000s of SNP genotypes a day in a fully automated and ultralow (nanolitre) low cost reaction volume format at very high reproducibility with minimal labour requirements and without the requirements for additional costly robotic liquid handling equipment. As well the platform must enable the development of next generation sequencing (NGS) libraries for targeted screening of induced nucleotide variations in large mutagenized populations of wheat together with the ability to carry out transcriptome and genotype profiling of isolated individual wheat cells from selected wheat varieties. An integrated automated platform that will be able to accommodate all of the above needs and meet the mandatory performance criteria listed below is required for the wheat projects.

3. MANDATORY PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Mandatory capabilities of the DNA genotyping platform must include but are not limited to the following performance requirements:

MANDATORY PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: 1. DNA genotyping platform which can operate independently without the need for additional robotic liquid handling equipment. 2. Automated mixing of samples and assays in nanolitre volumes for SNP genotyping and targeted amplifications in large sets of wheat genomic DNA preparations, using picogram amounts of starting material. 3. Cross compatibility to enable processing of SNP genotyping, targeted amplification, gene expression, digital PCR, copy number variation and single cell reactions on the same platform. 4. Ability to produce a genotyping call rate of at least 99% or greater and a call accuracy of at least 99% or higher, with the option to vary sample numbers versus assays and scalable to over 100,000 genotypes per day. 5. Ability to produce up to 480 (5 x 96) samples of barcoded targeted amplification products per wheat DNA sample that are automatically pooled and ready for sequencing on multiple NGS platforms and should have an amplification success rate of at least 95% or greater. 6. Ability to quantitate PCR products used for NGS platforms using real-time PCR analysis. 7. Ability to isolate and prepare individual cells for genomic analysis applications, including targeted gene expression analysis and whole transcriptome analysis. 8. Ability to carry out single-cell analysis on 48 to 96 individual cells isolated from either the same plant or from cells derived from plants in a segregating population and targeting 48 to 96 genes in a single run of the system. 9. Ability to carry out single-cell gene expression protocols for both probe-based and DNA binding dye-based detection chemistries. 10. Ability to allow users the flexibility to define samples and assays to be analyzed, without the need for pre-spotted arrays.

5. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION The Fluidigm Biomark HD platform is the only integrated platform that can meet the above mandatory requirements. Fluidigm is in a unique position to fulfill this requirement as they are the manufacturer and sole authorized distributor of the Fluidigm Biomark HD Platform. Based on the above, the Crown intends to negotiate a contract with Fluidigm on a sole source basis.

6. GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REGULATIONS Government Contract Regulations: 6.(d) only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

7. TRADE AGREEMENTS The requirement is subject to the provisions of the World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).

AIT Article 506. 12 Where only one supplier is able to meet the requirements of a procurement, an entity may use procurement procedures that are different from those described in paragraphs 1 through 10 in the following circumstances: (b) 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;

NAFTA Article 1016: Limited Tendering Procedures. 2. An entity may use limited tendering procedures in the following circumstances and subject to the following conditions, as applicable: (b) 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;

WTO - ARTICLE XV: The provisions of Articles VII through XIV governing open and selective tendering procedures need not apply in the following conditions, provided that limited tendering is not used with a view to avoiding maximum possible competition or in a manner which would constitute a means of discrimination among suppliers of other Parties or protection to domestic producers or suppliers: b) when, for works of art or for reasons connected with protection of exclusive rights, such as patents or copyrights, or in the absence of competition for technical reasons, the products or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists.

7. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR Fluidigm Corporation 7000 Shoreline Court, Suite 100 South San Francisco, CA 94080

8. DELIVERY DATE While delivery is requested by January 31, 2014 or earlier, delivery must be made complete by March 31, 2014.

9. ESTIMATED COST Estimated value of the requirement: $650,000.00 CND (GST not included). Included in the estimated cost is the option to purchase an additional unit before March 31, 2015 and the purchase of consumable items for the Genotyping Platform. The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

10. SUPPLIERS RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES 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.

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.

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.