PCR System

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: Life Technologies Inc. 5250 Main Way Burlington Ontario Canada L7L5Z1 Nature of Requirements: PCR System

6D063-122841/A Barenz, Leanne Telephone No. - (204) 983-0506 Fax No. - (204) 983-7796

TITLE: VIIA7 REAL-TIME SYSTEM

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), intends to negotiate with Applied Biosystems for the provision of the following:

Requirements

The ViiA7 Real-Time system is a detection platform that performs real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Real-time qPCR is a powerful and sensitive analysis technique and is used for a broad range of applications including quantitative and qualitative pathogen detection, as well as SNP genotyping. The Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Laboratories (Viral Zoonoses and Field Studies) have developed several diagnostic real-time RT-PCR assays for several viruses and bacteria on the 7900HT and Fast 7500 real time PCR systems. The 7900HT SDS is over 8 years old and is showing signs of prolonged use and has had two costly laser replacements in the past 3 years in addition to other mechanical repairs. In order to meet our client demands for surveillance and diagnostic testing and outbreak investigations, we need to procure a reliable real-time PCR system.

The ViiA 7 Real-time PCR system features its strength in three areas (productivity, integration and performance) of analytical operation which meets the needs of both laboratories. Productivity is represented in its versatile platform ideal for performing medium to high-throughput real-time PCR, thus streamlining multiple stages of assay technology development ranging from early assay optimization to HTS operation. Its integration capability is fully compatible with 7900 and 7500 Fast Real time PCR systems, thereby allowing the seamless transfer of assays developed on the 7900 and 7500 Fast Real time PCR system to the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR system. Lastly the ViiA 7 system features the new OptiFlex system which provides enhanced fluorescence detection enabling accurate and sensitive data analysis. This performance translates into better accuracy, maximum multiplexing and most importantly, precise quantification. The ViiA 7 system is capable of detecting small target quantities with high reproducibility, which fits the demands of the laboratory aimed at detecting low viral or bacterial loads.

The key requirements for the Real Time PCR machine, which are unique to the ViiA7 Real Time PCR system, are as follows:

1. To maintain data compatibility with historical data, we require a system that is compatible with ABI software protocols and data files. The instrument software must provide raw fluorescent data and multicomponent (segregated by dye type) data for troubleshooting of experiment. The previously and currently employed ABI instruments (7500 Fast and 7900HT) have the same software architecture as the ViiA7 Real Time Instrument, which will allow the transfer of absolute quantification, presence/absence and SNP assays developed on the 7500 Fast Real time PCR system and / or 7900HT SDS to the ViiA7 Real-Time PCR system.

2. The instrument must also have available at least four (4) user-interchangeable blocks to accommodate 96-well, Fast 96-well low volume, 384-well plates or TaqMan® Array Cards. No service visits or re-calibration are necessary after a block change. A versatile instrument with at least four (4) user-interchangeable blocks can do the work of 2 instruments. This allows us to quickly meet high throughput needs during an outbreak.

3. The instrument has real-time quantitative PCR installation specifications which allow the distinction between 6,667 and 10,000 template copies (a 1.5 fold sensitivity) with a 99.7% confidence level. This improvement in the instruments capability will enable us to detect small target quantities with high reproducibility, which fits the demands of our laboratory aimed at detecting low viral and bacterial loads.

Must be delivered on or before March 31, 2013.

Applied Biosystems by Life Technologies is the only company that makes a Real-Time PCR machine that is compatible with the current 7900HT Sequence Detection System (SDS) and 7500 Fast Real Time PCR system software protocols and data files.

Trade Agreements

The following trade agreements are applicable to this procurement: The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Article 1016.2(b) of NAFTA and Article 506.12(b) of AIT are all applicable as this requirement can be fulfilled by only one supplier.

Section 6 of the Government Contract Regulations applies as only one person or firm is capable of performing the contract.

Estimated Cost: $54,000.00 - $56,000.00 (GST not included) 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.