Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis of Beaufort Sea Pteropod

ADVANCED CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis of Beaufort Sea Pteropod The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has a requirement for the provision of Scanning Electron Microscope analysis of Beaufort Sea zooplankton samples for the purpose of identifying and quantifying shell dissolution in marine Pteropods. The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government's intention to award a contract for these services to the Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA. Before awarding a 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, a contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier. Background The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has a requirement to identify and categorize the level of shell dissolution in Beaufort Sea pteropod samples using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging. The work will involve the following: pteropod samples processing with existing protocols, including but not limited to, the removal of the organic shell layer using oxygen plasma etching and the mounting of the shells on aluminium SEM stubs; SEM imaging and analysis of the images to identify and categorize the level (Type I, II, III) of pteropod shell dissolution; provision of a data file with processing observations and dissolution categories for each analyzed individual as well as representative pteropod SEM shell images to illustrate dissolution categories. The proposed contract is for the period from date of contract award to March 31, 2021.  1.0 Definition of Requirements: Scope of Work: DFO requires the services of a Contractor to support the Beaufort Sea research program until March 31, 2021. By March 31st of each year during the term of the Contract, the Contractor must analyze up to a maximum of 60 Pteropod (i.e., Limacina sp.) samples, provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for the study of pteropod shell dissolution. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging will be used to quantify shell dissolution from pteropod samples processed with existing protocols, including but not limited to, the removal of the organic shell layer using oxygen plasma etching and the mounting of the shells on aluminium SEM stubs. Multiple (10-30) individuals of Limacina sp. may be processed per sample. Photos of all individual pteropod shells will be taken to observe the extent of shell dissolution. Shell dissolution must be identified and the level of dissolution must be categorized (Type I, II, III) according to established protocols from Bednarsek et al. (2012).The Limacina sp. shell images and a summary data file of processing observations (e.g., artefacts, mechanical damage) and dissolution categories must be provided by the contractor. Frozen pteropod samples will be shipped from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada to the Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA. All work must be completed by qualified Contractor resources with existing expertise and experience in pteropod shell dissolution analyses. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ecosystem Stressors Laboratory, will provide a list of samples to be analyzed and will clearly label all samples with a sample name. The Contractor must provide a data file of processing observations and dissolution categories for each analyzed individual, corresponding to sample names, as well as representative pteropod SEM shell images to illustrate dissolution categories. Constraints: All documents must be prepared in the English language and provided in Excel or Word format. Contractor will not have access to DFO network or computers. Departmental Support DFO will cover the cost of each sample shipment to the Contractor’s location. Deliverables

Summary Excel data file of processing observations and dissolution categories for each analyzed individual Representative pteropod SEM shell images to illustrate dissolution categoriesTimeframe and Delivery Dates: For each year of the contract, pteropod samples will be delivered to the Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project no later than December 31st. The Contractor must provide all deliverables electronically for review and acceptance by the Project Authority prior to March 20 of each contract year. Travel: No travel will be required. Location of Work: All work will be performed at the Contractor’s facility.

2.0 Minimum Essential Requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements: Experience, minimum 5 years’ experience in processing marine pteropod samples for SEM imaging; Experience, minimum 5 years’ experience identifying and categorizing marine pteropod shell dissolution related to Ocean Acidification studies; Experience, minimum 5 years’ experience operating Scanning Electron Microscope equipment; and Knowledge and understanding of marine pteropod taxonomy and ecology

3.0 Estimated Value of Proposed Contract A maximum of $160,000 USD over the term of the contract. 4.0 Proposed Contractor Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 110 Costa Mesa, CA, USA 92626 5.0 Justification for the Pre-Selected Supplier The Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project is the only supplier capable of meeting the DFO’s requirement as they are the only supplier with both the scientific expertise (i.e. experienced personnel) to process pteropod samples for shell dissolution studies and the Scanning Electron Microscopy technology required to perform the contract. The scientific and technological expertise held by the firm is necessary to provide the analyses required for the deliverables of the contract. 6.0 Government Contract Regulations Exception(s) The following exception to Section 6 Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection:(d) only one person is capable of performing the contract. 7.0 Exclusions and Limited Tendering Reasons Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under WTO-AGP (Article XV.1) XV.1 (a) - protection of exclusive rights, such as patents or copyrights, or in the absence of competition for technical reasons, the products or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under NAFTA (Article 1016.2) 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; Applicable Limited Tendering Provision under AIT (Article 506.12) 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 exists; 8.0 Ownership of Intellectual Property No Intellectual property will be developed during the course of the contract. 9.0 Contract Period The contract will begin on award of contract to March 31, 2021 10.0 Submission of Statement of Capabilities by Suppliers Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the Contracting Authority 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. 11.0 Closing Date The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is December 15, 2017 12:00PM EST. 12.0 Contracting Authority Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be made in writing and directed to: Larry Hotte Contracting Specialist, Procurement Hub Ottawa Office Fisheries and Oceans Canada 200 Kent Street, 9th Floor Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6 Tel: 613 993-2807 Fax: 613-991-4545 E-Mail : Laurent.Hotte@dfo-mpo.gc.ca