Evaluation and demonstration of sterile fly release technology for onion maggot management in onion production in Ontario

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA – No. 01B68-19-0001 The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has a requirement for the provision of a one (1) year contract with one (1) one (1) year option period for the Evaluation and Demonstration of sterile fly release technology for onion maggot management in onion production in Ontario. The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government's intention to award a contract for these services to: Phytodata Inc. 291 rue de la Coopérative Sherrington, QC J0L 2N0 Before awarding the contract, however, the government would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this Notice, by submitting a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period. If other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during the 15 calendar day posting period that meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will proceed to a full tendering process on either the government's electronic tendering service or through traditional means, in order to award the contract. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier, as referenced above. Background: The onion maggot (Delia antiqua) is a major insect pest across onion production regions of Canada. Currently registered controls include chlorpyrifos and other insecticides such as cypermethrin, diazinon, naled, clothianidin and imidacloprid, several that are known to be toxic to aquatic organisms and bees. There have also been reports of insect resistance to several of these insecticides and many of them are currently under re-evaluation by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Health Canada (PMRA). The Sterile Fly Release (SFR) technology was identified as an alternative approach to address onion maggot management in onion crops in the context of the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program-led reduced risk strategy for root insect pests of carrot, parsnip and onion. This environmentally-sound approach has been adapted and implemented in Quebec for managing onion maggot while maintaining onion yields and eliminating preventative and foliar insecticide applications. It has been estimated that the costs associated to Sterile Fly Release are essentially equivalent to the costs associated to the use of conventional insecticides, when averaged over a 5 year period. The technique consists of 1) producing a large quantity of the target insect, 2) sterilizing the adult flies via irradiation and 3) releasing the sterilised flies in the crops to be protected. This technique has potential for use in Ontario, but needs to be tested under growing conditions there.  The Pesticide Risk Reduction team funded a one year, demonstration trial in 2018-2019 to evaluate the potential of this technique under Ontario growing conditions, with the intention of funding further work if successful results were obtained. The field season showed good results and potential for the technique, and the technology was enthusiastically received by the grower cooperator. This contract is for a 2 year project to continue evaluating and demonstrating this technique under Ontario growing conditions. Further data over multiple field seasons is expected to better determine actual efficacy of the technique, as well as provide increased data enabling growers to make informed decisions on whether this technique is suitable for their operation. Objective: Pesticide Risk Reduction Project to investigate the sterile insect release technique for the control of onion maggots in Ontario onion set production. Scope of Work: Conduct a demonstration trial using the SFR approach in Ontario onion fields for onion maggot control, and evaluate the potential for the technique to be included as part of an integrated pest management approach for this pest under Ontario growing conditions. Estimate of Costs: The contract value for the first year will be $25,000.00 CAD plus applicable taxes. The option period will have a maximum expenditure of $40,000.00 CAD plus applicable taxes if Canada chooses to exercise. Total if the option period is exercised is $65,000.00 plus applicable taxes. Minimum Essential Qualifications: To fulfill the requirements of the contract, any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it has the capacity to provide the same services listed in the support plan above. Government of Canada Regulations Exception: The Treasury Board’s Government Contract Regulations, Part 10.2.1 Section 6 states there are four exceptions that permit the contracting authority to set aside the requirement to solicit bids. The exception for related to this ACAN includes: d. “only one supplier person or firm is capable of performing the contract.” Limited Tendering Provisions In Accordance With The Trade Agreements: The North American Free Trade Agreement, the World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement, and the Agreement on Internal Trade permit the contracting authority to set aside the requirement to solicit bids under the following condition: b) “For works of art, reasons connected with protecting patents, copyrights, other exclusive rights, or proprietary information or where there is an absence for technical reasons, the goods or services can be supplied by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists” Justification for the Pre-Selected Supplier: Only Phytodata has a designated facility capable of mass rearing the onion maggot insect (Delia antiqua), and the expertise on the Sterile Fly Release technology delivery, including insect sterilization and field release. Contract Period: The resulting contract will be valid from date of contract award extending to March 31, 2020. The contractor grants to Canada the option to extend the validity of the contract by up to one (1) one (1) year period under the same terms and conditions. Suppliers Right to Submit a Statement of Capabilities: Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements, 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. Statements of Capabilities must be delivered to and received by the Contracting Authority on or before the closing date. The closing date and time for accepting Statements of Capabilities is: Friday April 26th, 2019 at 12:00 P.M. (DST, Ottawa time) to the following address: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Professional Services Contracting Unit 1341 Baseline Road, Tower 5, Floor 2, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5 Rhonda DiMarco Tel:  (613) 773-0934 Email: rhonda.dimarco@canada.ca Statements of Capabilities must be sent on or before the closing date. Statement of Capabilities received on or before the closing date will be considered solely for the purpose of deciding whether or not to conduct a more extensive tendering process. Information provided will be used by the Crown for technical evaluation purposes only with respect to a decision to proceed to a further competitive process. Suppliers that have submitted a Statement of Capabilities will be notified in writing of AAFC's decision to proceed to award the contract without a further additional tendering process. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the Contracting Officer identified above by email by or before the closing date. The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement. Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.