An Investigation of Ag-Tech Trends and Opportunities in Western Canada

Western Economic Diversification Canada ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN) 4W004-21-5153 An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen 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, during the fifteen calendar day posting period, a statement of capabilities that meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the competitive requirements of the government's contracting policy have been met. Following notification to suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their statement of capabilities meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract may then be awarded using the Treasury Board's electronic bidding authorities. If other potential suppliers submit statements of capabilities during the fifteen-calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department or agency must proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract. Contracting Officer Name: Michelle Owens Telephone Number: (780) 495-4217 Facsimile: (780) 495-8570 E-mail: michelle.owens@canada.ca DESCRIPTIVE TITLE:  An Investigation of Ag-Tech Trends and Opportunities in Western Canada BACKGROUND Ratel Novus Consulting is an independent, incorporated, Saskatchewan based business specializing market research in the areas of agri-technology, mining, heavy transportation, industrial manufacturing, and industrial design. REQUIREMENTS/RESULTS: WD requires industry sector research that maps and assesses agri-tech manufacturers to analyze the current state of the agri-tech ecosystem in Saskatchewan and the region. The final project report (including presentation and database materials) will provide WD with reliable intelligence on the agri-tech ecosystem in Western Canada; in particular, it will evaluate manufacturers using the following high level criteria:

Product or technology (hardware, software, service) and technology readiness level; Business maturity, size, model, financial indicators, values, and challenges; Economic impact including job creation, HQP absorption, and revenue generation.

The report and company database will focus predominantly on Saskatchewan agri-tech companies including global OEMs, agri-tech start-ups, regional service providers, and regional machinery SMEs. The project will target as many as 50 companies. The report will help WD evaluate future project proposals to its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program streams. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR Name of Contractor: Ratel Novus Consulting Address: 112D-116 Research Drive City: Saskatoon, SK Postal Code: S7N 3R2 REASON FOR AWARDING CONTRACT TO THIS CONTRACTOR Ratel Novus Consulting’s principal has cumulative experience in working within the agricultural machinery and technology sector is unique in Western Canada; especially, as it applies to the convergence of digital technologies with traditional heavy machinery innovation. Ratel Novus also has extensive experience in projects spanning the multitude of service applications within agri-tech and has either led or sponsored projects within a government agency mandated to support and develop in conjunction with the industry client. Ratel Novus has extensive relationships in the agricultural and heavy machinery eco-system going back more than 15 years at the engineering, technical, supply chain and manufacturing levels. These relationships transcend Canadian, and North American borders to include international relationships focused in the area of broad acre, dryland farming. ESTIMATED COST The period of the contract will be from (January 25, 2021 to March 31, 2021) and the total amount of the contract is estimated to be $24,725.00, including taxes. CMM Shared Drive: Contract Unit: Templates - ACAN. Eng.doc APPLICABLE TRADE AGREEMENTS AND APPLICABLE LIMITED TENDERING REASONS: Sample wording should NAFTA & AIT be applicable The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) (T.B. 10.2.8(b)) are applicable. With the absence of competition for technical reasons and that the services can only be supplied by Company X and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists is the basis for the limited tendering. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR WRITTEN SUPPLIER RESPONSES CHALLENGING THIS REQUIREMENT IS 2:00 P.M, EASTERN TIME, January 22, 2021. You are hereby notified that the government intends to solicit a bid and negotiate with the firm identified above. If you wish to submit a written response showing that you are capable of meeting this requirement, it must be done not later than the closing date and time. As it is intended to proceed in a timely manner, responses received after the closing date will not be considered. The Crown reserves the right not to open this procurement to competition. Responses received on or before the closing date will be considered solely for the purpose of deciding whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Information provided will be used by the Crown for technical evaluation purposes only and is not to be construed as a competitive solicitation. Your written response must provide sufficient evidence (e.g. specifications, technical data, drawings, or any other proof) that clearly demonstrates that your product or service is capable of fulfilling this requirement. Suppliers that have submitted a response will be notified in writing of Industry Canada's decision to continue with the non-competitive procurement or to compete the requirement. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above. The Industry 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.