Sample Collection and Microbiological Analytical Testing Services for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

SAMPLE COLLECTION AND MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYTICAL TESTING SERVICES FOR THE CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a federal regulatory agency with a mandate to safeguard food, animals and plants to enhance the health and well-being of Canada’s people, environment and economy.

The CFIA is looking for commercial laboratories to provide sample collection and analytical testing services in food products. The results of the testing will be used by CFIA to determine the food safety risk to Canadians and identify areas where food safety issues may need to be addressed.

In addition, the CFIA may be required to take regulatory action under any or all of the Acts it administers or enforces by virtue of section 11 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, or under any other applicable law, on the basis of any information received or obtained in the course of performing the Work under this Contract.

Analytical testing services must be performed in a laboratory accredited under the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) or the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) for the work requirements.

Sample collection and analytical testing services of food are required: a) from September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2017, with an irrevocable option on the part of Canada to extend the contract period by one (1) optional period of one (1) year, for Surveys 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8 listed in Table 1 of Annex A, Statement of Work. b) from September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2016 for Surveys 2 and 3 listed in Table 1 of Annex A, Statement of Work. c) from September 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015 for Survey 6 listed in Table 1 of Annex A, Statement of Work.

A portion of the work in Survey 1 will include services for sample collection and testing of sprouts (Optional Work Package). These services will be provided on an “as and when requested” basis and authorized through the issuance of Task Authorizations (TAs).

All Surveys will include services for Expert Testimony. These services will be provided on an “as and when requested” basis and authorized through the issuance of Task Authorizations (TAs).

Some contracts may include Additional Services for sample collection and microbiological analytical testing to evaluate additional food product types for additional microbial hazards, which could include those that are not identified in the bid solicitation. These Additional Services are to be provided on an “as and when requested” basis. The Technical Authority will specify the additional targeted microbial hazards and food product types at the time of Task Authorization request. It is not mandatory that Bidders submit a bid for this part of the requirement.

Canada intends to award up to eight (8) contracts to ensure laboratory services are available for all Surveys as identified in Annex A, Statement of Work, however only one contract per Survey will be issued based on the results of the financial evaluation.

Bidders must provide a list of names, or other related information as needed, pursuant to section 01 of Standard Instructions 2003.

For services requirements, Bidders in receipt of a pension or a lump sum payment must provide the required information as detailed in article 3 of Part 2 of the bid solicitation.

There is a Federal Contractors Program (FCP) for employment equity requirement associated with this procurement; see Part 5 - Certifications, Part 7 - Resulting Contract Clauses and the annex named Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity - Certification.

The requirement is subject to the provisions of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and is limited to Canadian services.

Bid Preparation Instructions

Part 3, Bid Preparation Instructions of the solicitation document, provides bidders with instructions on how to prepare their bid. Bidders may bid on one or more Surveys detailed in Annex A, Statement of Work, however, they should submit a separate bid for each Survey. Canada requests that bidders clearly identify on the front cover of their bid which Survey they are bidding on.

Evaluation Procedures and Basis of Selection

Part 4, Evaluation Procedures and Basis of Selection, of the solicitation document indicates how the evaluation will be conducted, the evaluation criteria that must be addressed in the bid, and the basis of selection.

Bids will be assessed in accordance with the entire requirement of the bid solicitation.

For each Survey, the responsive bid with the lowest evaluated price will be recommended for award of a contract.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.