BOIMIC V3 Microbiology System

Trade Agreement: NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama 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: Giles Scientific Inc P.O. Box 4306 7 North Nopal Street Santa Barbara California United States 93140 Nature of Requirements: 6D063-132984/A Wiebe, Amanda Telephone No. - (204) 983-7032 Fax No. - (204) 983-7796

TITLE: BOIMIC V3 Microbiology System

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf of Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Winnipeg, MB intends to negotiate with Giles Scientific Inc. for the provision of a BOIMIC V3 Microbiology System.

DEFINITION OF THE REQUIREMENT

One of the routine tests in the Public Health Agency of Canada microbiology laboratory is to determine antibiotic resistance in microbial pathogens. Different tests can be used to determine resistance or MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), the value representing resistance levels. Kirby Bauer disk diffusion, ETEST and broth microdilution are 3 methods used in this laboratory. Manual reading is labour intensive and time consuming with the possibility of reading and transcription errors. Automated reading of the disk codes and zones as well as direct transfer to LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) would streamline the process and eliminate possible errors. Links with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines are imperative for correct data interpretation.

MINIMUM ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that its product meets the following requirements:

1. Unit must have the capability to test both Kirby Bauer disks and Etest strips

2. The unit must be able to recognize the Kirby Bauer / Etest codes to allow for error-free automated reading and interpretation

3. Unit must provide automated reading and recording of Quality Control Tests and must interface with LIMS system.

4. Minimum 1 year warranty on all hardware

5. 7 days per week live technical support via telephone and e-mail including LIS/LIMS interface support.

6. Unit must include a touch screen monitor

7. Unit must adhere to CLSI and EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) guidelines.

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PRE-IDENTIFIED SUPPLIER

The BIOMIC V3 Microbiology System is an automated reader, this system was developed as a new method for automated reading of disk diffusion zones on agar plates. It is also used for MIC determination and category interpretations with a gradient diffusion Etest method, another method used to determine resistance levels in bacteria. BIOMIC V3 utilizes colour digital imaging to automate the reading and interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility and organism identification tests following current Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (CLSI) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines. BIOMIC V3 automates clinical microbiology tests including antibiotic disk diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) zone reading and Etest zone reading.

BIOMIC V3 also provides automated reading and recording of Quality Control (QC) tests. An inventory control system provides electronic documentation of disk/media/reagent/panel lots. BIOMIC V3 provides an instant digital record of all test results and high resolution images. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) interface combined with bar code reading and touch-screen entry on a 21 inch monitor offers labs an optimal set-up to standardize, record and report test results. Results are automatically entered into LIMS, the current database system used in our laboratory.

This is the only microbiology automated reader that reads both Kirby Bauer disk diffusion tests and Etest. In addition, the BIOMIC V3 has an automated Kirby Bauer /Etest code recognition function allowing for error-free automated reading and interpretation. Other units on the market do not have this automated function and would require manual entry for each Kirby Bauer disk and Etest strip costing additional user time and room for error.

APPLICABILITY OF THE TRADE AGREEMENTS TO THIS PROCUREMENT This procurement is subject to the following trade agreements:

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTIONS

The following exception(s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection: Government Contract Regulations, Part 1, Section 6(d) only one supplier (person or firm) is capable of performing the contract.

EXCLUSIONS AND/OR LIMITED TENDERING REASONS

The following exclusions and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the:

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - 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 exist.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - 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

The equipment must be delivered on or before March 31, 2014, F.O.B Destination

NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PRE-IDENTIFIED SUPPLIER

Giles Scientific Inc. P.O. Box 4306 Santa Barbara, California USA, 93140

INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSION OF STATEMENTS OF CAPABILITIES

Inquiries and statement of capabilities are to be directed to

Amanda Wiebe Supply Officer | Agente d'approvisionnement Public Works and Government Services Canada Travaux publics et Services gouvernement aux Canada Acquisitions Branch | Direction générale des approvisioinnements 100 - 167 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z1 |167, av. Lombard, pièce 100, Winnipeg, (MB), R3C 2Z1

Tel | Tél: (204) 983-7032 Fax | Téléc: (204) 983-7796 Email | Courriel: amanda.wiebe@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca 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.