Laboratory Equipment and Supplies - Weigh Feeder

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: Exclusive Rights Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: ACRISON INC 20 EMPIRE BLVD MOONARCHIE New Jersey United States Nature of Requirements:

Title: Laboratory Equipment and Supplies - Weigh Feeder

National Research Council (NRC), Magna-NRC Composites Centre of Excellence has a requirement for the supply, delivery and installation of Qty. 1, Continuous Weigh Feeder (304 stainless steel), Model # 404X-BDF-2.5-1-K/2 complete with accessories; and Qty. 1, Weigh Feeder Controller, Model SBC-2000DSP, including motor controls and accessories.

NRC is currently working on the development of a manufacturing technology involving the use of loose natural fibres as reinforcement agents for the production of thermoplastic-based composite materials. A critical part in the processing technique is the feeding of long natural fibres into the compounding equipment. While feeding of chopped fibres (1/2 inch or less) and finely ground materials such as wood or rice hull flour (1/16 inch or less) are routinely done in industry, the feeding of long (0.4 to 4 inches) entangled fibres obtained from the stem of plants such as flax, hemp and others has never been achieved successfully. The long fibres have a clear advantage over chopped or finely ground fibres in terms of the superior strength that they impart to composite parts. Consistent feeding of these fibres into conventional twin screw compounders has proven to be a very challenging task.

One of the objectives of the project will be to establish a detailed and complete a list of technical requirements for a feeder intended for this application. Since such equipment does not exists at the present time, the Acrison loss-in-weight gravimetric feeder is the only known feeder that has the closest approximation to the performance required to feed long entangled fibres.

The distinctive design feature of the Acrison feeder that makes it suitable for the feeding of entangled natural fibres of lengths up to 4 inches is that the Acrison's bin discharger feeder eliminates any type of convergence that could prove detrimental to product flow and feed. The opposed multiple auger/agitator action plus a substantially increased gravity flow into the feed chamber combine to ensure a consistent and unrestricted movement of stubborn-handling materials. These features have proved to be especially effective in the feeding of long natural fibres during experimental trials at NRC. In addition the bin discharger feeders are also designed to "self-empty," leaving only a minimal amount of residual material when permitted to run empty. Stagnant areas are eliminated by the design and rotation of the two large augers/agitators which continuously move product inward and into the metering auger. Mechanically, the augers/agitators and the metering auger are geared together, driven by a single DC gear motor. The two larger augers/agitators operate at a slower speed than the smaller metering auger.

The proposed equipment must meet all of the following specifications: 1. Feed rate range must be 40 - 200 lbs./hr. 2. Must feed non-free flowing low bulk density materials with an approx. density range of 4 - 10 lbs/ft3 (0.06 to 0.16 g/cm3) 3. Fibre lengths of 10 to 100 mm (0.4-4 in.) ranging from bast fibres (flax, hemp, jute) to grass and leaf fibres 4. Compatible with existing Coperion control system (Siemens PLC) 5. Must have a flow error within 5% 6. The design of the system must allow for relocation to feed different hoppers 7. Power: 240v/3ph/60Hz 8. Must be CSA approved

It is proposed to negotiate this requirement with Acrison, Moonachie, NJ, manufacturer of the equipment.

Delivery must be made on or before 22 March 2013.

This requirement is subject to AIT/NAFTA and is excluded from the Limited Tendering provisions for the following reasons:

Limited Tendering under the Agreement on Internal Trade is defined under Article 506.12 "(a) to ensure compatibility with existing products, to recognize exclusive rights, such as exclusive licenses, copyright and patent rights, or to maintain specialized products that must be maintained by the manufacturer or its representative" and Article 506.12 "(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." Limited Tendering under the Agreement on North American Free Trade Agreement is defined under Article 1016.2 "(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."

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.