R691.7 Performance of bentonite buffer and seals under elevated temperatures and chemical gradients

NATURE OF REQUIREMENTS: The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is seeking bids from qualified suppliers to supply professional services in order to obtain experimental data on the performance of bentonite buffer and seal materials under elevated temperatures and porewater chemical concentrations. CNSC staff will use this data in the development of numerical models to assess the long-term performance of buffer and seal materials for geological disposal repositories in Canada. The complete description of the work to be completed under this requirement is in the Statement of Work provided in Annex "A" of the Request for Proposals (RFP). It is intended to result in the award of one (1) contract for a period of three (3) years commencing on the date of contract award. Interested bidders are required to submit their proposals in accordance with the instructions provided in this RFP. In case of a discrepancy in the terms used in the English and French version of this solicitation, the English version will take precedence. MAXIMUM FUNDING The maximum funding available for a contract resulting from the bid solicitation is $210,000 (Canadian dollars, Applicable Taxes extra). Bids valued in excess of this amount will be considered non-responsive. This disclosure does not commit Canada to pay the maximum funding available.” ENQUIRIES – BID SOLICITATION All inquiries must be submitted in writing to the contracting authority no later than five (5) calendar days before the bid closing date. Inquiries received after that time may not be answered. Bidders should reference as accurately as possible the numbered item of the bid solicitation to which the inquiry relates. Care should be taken by bidders to explain each question in sufficient detail in order to enable the CNSC to provide an accurate answer. Technical inquiries that are of a proprietary nature must be clearly marked "proprietary" at each relevant item. Items identified as "proprietary" will be treated as such except where the CNSC determines that the inquiry is not of a proprietary nature. The CNSC may edit the questions or may request that the bidder do so, so that the proprietary nature of the question is eliminated, and the inquiry can be answered with copies to all bidders. Inquiries not submitted in a form that can be distributed to all bidders may not be answered by the CNSC. CHANGES TO THE RFP Interested suppliers are strongly advised to subscribe to the Tender Notice Feed provided and explained above in order to keep track of all updates to this solicitation and ensure their bids meet with all updated requirements, if any. Canada retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Bids may be submitted in either official language of Canada