Physician Sampling Program

TITLE: Physician Sampling Program

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1000162908

1. The purpose and explanation of an ACAN

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows Health Canada contracting authorities to post a notice on Buyandsell, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that a good, service or construction contract will be awarded 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.

2. Rights of suppliers

Suppliers who believe that they are fully qualified and available to provide the services or goods described in this ACAN may submit a Statement of Capabilities clearly demonstrating how they meet the advertised requirement. This Statement of Capabilities must be provided via e-mail only to the contact person identified in Section 12 of the Notice on or before the closing date and time of the Notice. If there is a reasonable level of evidence regarding capability, the requirements will be opened to electronic or traditional bidding processes.

3. Proposed Contractor

Ashfield Healthcare Canada Inc. 263 Labrosse Ave Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 1A3

4. Definition of Requirements or Expected Results

Introduction

The Radiation Protection Bureau at Health Canada leads an on-going National Radon Program (NRP) with the goal of reducing the health risks associated with indoor radon exposure in Canada. The objective of this contract is to engage with a physician driven program and make radon information available to physicians on a on-demand basis.

Objectives of the Requirement

The objective of this project will be to promote radon education and awareness through distribution of the Radon-Another Reason to Quit factsheet in combination with smoking cessation information to Canadian Physicians and their patients. The goal is to inform the public, and in particular smokers who are at an increased risk, of the dangers associated with exposure to radon, to encourage radon testing of homes and remediation if necessary. In addition to having the factsheets distributed on-demand they will be distributed with all requests for smoking cessation products and information.

Background and Specific Scope of the Requirement

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It is estimated that 16%, more than 3000 lung cancer deaths in 2011, are caused by residential radon exposure. Health Canada (HC) leads an on-going National Radon Program (NRP) with the goal of reducing the health risks associated with radon exposure. A key component of the Program is outreach activities which inform Canadians of the increased risk of developing lung cancer associated with radon exposure and encourages them to take action to reduce those risks at home and in their workplaces. Research shows that there is a synergistic relationship between smoking and radon exposure and therefore smokers are at a much higher risk of developing lung cancer if they are also exposed to high levels of radon. Participating in a physician’s sampling program is an effective method of reaching Physicians with radon information to educate their patients about the health effects of radon, testing and radon reduction methods. The ability to have the Radon-Another Reason to Quit factsheets distributed in combination with smoking cessation information increases our ability to effectively target an at risk population.

5. Minimum requirements

Supplier’s sampling service for Canadian physicians must: • Have smoking cessation products and information made available to order for physicians; • Have the ability to distribute the Radon- Another Reason to Quit smokers’ factsheet pads upon request and in combination with smoking cessation information requests/orders; • Make the Radon- Another Reason to Quit smokers’ factsheet pads available to order for physicians accross Canada via phone, fax, mail or online; • Include the Radon- Another Reason to Quit smokers factsheet pads in quarterly print and digital catalogue publications; • Be able to store and manage inventory of the Radon- Another Reason to Quit smokers factsheet pads; • Provide online login access for viewing orders and inventory reports.

6. Reason for non-competitive award

Ashfield Healthcare Canada Inc is the only company that offers a physicians sampling service that can combine the Radon-Another Reason to Quit factsheet with requests for smoking cessation products and information.

7. Applicable trade agreements and justification for limited tendering or the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business

Section 6 of the Government Contracts Regulations contains four exceptions that permit the contracting authority to set aside the requirement to solicit bids. These are:

(d) Only One Person or Firm is capable of performing the contract.

Article 1016 2 (b) of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): 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;

Article Kbis-09 Paragraph 1 (b) of the Canada Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA): 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.

Article 1409, Paragraph 1 (b), of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA): where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons: (ii) the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons

Article 1409: Limited Tendering 1 (b), - Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CFTA): where the goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternative or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons: (ii) the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights, or (iii) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons.

8. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Contractor to own IP

9. Period of the proposed contract

The contract period shall be from one (1) year from date of contract award, with the option to extend the contract for up to four (4) additional 1 year periods.

10. Estimated value of the proposed contract

The total value of any contract emanating from this Advanced Contract Award Notice (ACAN) shall not exceed $99,191.40 CAD, including all option years, travel and living expenses and all applicable taxes

11. Closing date and time

The closing date and time for accepting Statements of Capabilities is August 8, 2014 at 3:00 pm EDT

12. Contact Person

All inquiries with regard to this Notice must be addressed by e-mail to

Name: Donna Pettit E-Mail: Donna.pettit@hc-sc.gc.ca