Radar Video Processing Systems

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/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: Interchangeable Parts Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: Vaisala Inc. 194 S Taylor Avenue Louisville Colorado United States 80027 Nature of Requirements: Radar Video Processing Systems

K3D33-131048/A Juan, Peggy Telephone No. - (905) 615-2467 ( ) Fax No. - (905) 615-2060

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SUPPLIERS

Government of Canada is moving its Government Electronic Tendering Service from MERX to Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders on June 1, 2013

Starting June 1, 2013, federal government tenders (tender notices and bid solicitation documents) will be published and available free of charge on a Government of Canada Web site on Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders.

The Government Electronic Tendering Service on Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders will be the sole authoritative source for Government of Canada tenders that are subject to trade agreements or subject to departmental policies that require public advertising of tenders.

Get more details in the Frequently Asked Questions section of Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders.

After June 1, 2013, all tenders and related documents and amendments will be on Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders.

On June 1, 2013, suppliers must go to Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders to check for amendments to any tender opportunities that they have been following on MERX prior to June 1.

Bookmark Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders now to be ready for June 1! _________________________________________________________________ __________

1. ACAN Explanation

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier.

2. Definition of Requirement

Environment Canada (EC) has a requirement for the supply of quantity 15 Vaisala RVP900 Series IFDs (Intermediate Frequency Digitizers) with Radar Video Signal Processors. EC plans to supply these RVP900 IFD and Radar Video Signal Processors as Government Furnished Equipment and spare units in a future requirement to add Dual Polarization capability to approximately 11 of the 28 Weather Radar sites operated by EC across Canada.

These radar sites operate using a specific antenna design suitable for Dual Polarization. Dual Polarization capability permits weather radars to better detect hydro meteorological events by using RF (Radio Frequency) signals transmitted and detected in both vertical and horizontal planes, which after processing provides a significant enhancement in both detection and hydro meteor classification.

The 28 Weather Radar sites form the Canadian National Doppler Radar Network (referred to as "The Network" hereinafter) were originally deployed between 1998 and 2004. The Network currently consists of Single Polarization systems using the Vaisala Incorporated RCP02 Radar Antenna Control Processor equipment, the RVP7 IFD / Radar Video Data Processor equipment and the IRIS (Interface Radar Information System) software for antenna control, interaction and data processing. When The Network was initially deployed, EC integrated a combination of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components with custom fabricated interface boards and these Vaisala RCP02, RVP7 and IRIS systems. The RCP02, RVP7 and IRIS also contain proprietary embedded firmware that manipulates and controls the Weather Radar COTS equipment and processes the response digitized data. Environment Canada is currently deploying previously purchased RVP 8 / RCP 8 equipment, replacing the obsolete RVP7 / RCP02 equipment.

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities

3.1 Minimum Essential Requirements

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

(The proprietary Vaisala equipment forms a significant portion of the existing EC Weather Radar system. The Basic Block Diagram of the EC Dual Pol Radar is available upon request to Peggy Juan at peggy.juan@pwgsc.gc.ca)

Supplier must demonstrate full compatibility and equivalence in form, fit and function, specifically that their proposed solution can fully replace the RVP900 series equipment (comprised of the IFD 901 and RVP 902 Processor) while not altering the functionality of each item interconnected to their solution as identified in the attached Basic Block Diagram of the EC Dual Pol Radar.

Supplier must provide evidence that their proposed solution was recently commercially sold and deployed into a network, and they can deliver equivalent product within 190 days of contract award.

Supplier must demonstrate their proposed solution interfaced electronically with and exchanged data signals with the existing Vaisala RCP8 Antenna Control Processor, exchanged data signals to the existing downstream off site Regional URP (Unified Radar Processor), interfaced electronically with and exchanged data signals with the existing IRIS Control Software, interfaced electronically and passed appropriate Radar signals with specific Radar hardware (the Low Noise Amplifiers, the Burst Mixer, and AFC Control modules) and finally interfaced electronically with and exchanged data signals with the EC RadMon software operating on the Monitor PC.

Supplier must demonstrate their proposed solution offers and matches exactly all data output formats and all processing features of the RVP900. Any perspective supplier must also demonstrate any and all calculated / processed outputs match the RVP900 output if the same input was applied.

Term definitions

"Recent" is defined as a commercial product sold within the last 3 years. "Commercial" is defined as a product that is immediately available for production and "on the market" for purchase for at least one year. A supplier cannot offer a design and/or fabrication service to develop a proposed system from a series of specifications or offer to replicate a proposed system based on the designs and/or results of a research institute, research project or scientific investigation. "Network" is defined as 3 or more sites owned and operated by the same organization equipped with the same configuration / hardware fulfilling 24 hr / 7 days a week atmospheric monitoring for the same client / stakeholder. "Fit" is defined as having the ability to be of the same physical size and ability to interconnect with the other required assemblies in the same manner. "Form" is defined as having the equivalent shape, size, mass (weight) and dimensions. "Function" is defined as performing in the same manner.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s): Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier

The identified supplier is Vaisala Inc., Louisville, Colorado, USA. The original Network utilized the Vaisala IFD 7 with RVP 7 for Radar Data Processing and the RCP 02 for Antenna Control. The RadMon software running on a site Monitor Computer was designed to operate with the then equipment.

The next generation of equipment (RVP 8 / RCP 8) was purchased because it met fit, form and function. The RVP 8 and RCP 8 were designed with backward compatibility with previous systems while upgrading hardware and software. The RVP 8 / RCP 8 equipment is currently being deployed within The Network.

The RVP900 Series equipment is Vaisala Inc.'s next generation hardware and software that is the commercial replacement for the RVP 8 equipment only. Vaisala Inc. does not have a replacement for the RCP 8 at this time and it is ECs desire not to replace the RCP 8 or the IRIS control software. Vaisala Inc. is continuing to develop the series of equipment while maintaining compatibility with and the features of their previous products. Vaisala Inc. retains specific intellectual property for software and firmware within these products. To our knowledge, Vaisala Inc. retains the rights for specific aspects of the embedded operating software required for the RVP900 Series operation, and they do not disclose. Customers are required to pay an annual license fee for their use.

Some of the features the RVP900 Series equipment offers include: - Ingestion of angular positioning data in the vendor defined format from the RCP 8. - Commanding the RCP 8 in the vendor defined format to position the antenna to specific locations and characteristics. - Ingestion and distribution of setup, configuration, and data control data in the vendor defined format from the IRIS Control Software. - Output radar data in the vendor defined format through the IRIS Control Computer and onto the downstream URP Processor. - Output status signals in the vendor defined format to identify the operating conditions and state of the RVP900 Processor unit for use by the RadMon / Monitor PC software.

In order to maintain compatibility while maintaining the usage of the existing equipment, while also recognizing the intellectual property the vendor retains and the existing electronic / data interfaces The Network must retain, it was deemed that Vaisala is the only vendor capable of meeting this requirement.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) "only one person is capable of performing the contract; for patent or copyright requirements, or technical compatibility factors and technological expertise."

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons

The following exclusion(s) and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the section of the trade agreement(s) specified:

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Articles 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."

World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) Article XV, (b) "when, for works of art or for reasons connected with 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."; (d) "for additional deliveries by the original supplier which are intended either as parts replacement for existing supplies, or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services, or installations where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services."

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Articles 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."; (d) "for additional deliveries by the original supplier that are intended either as replacement parts or continuing services for existing supplies, services or installations, or as the extension of existing supplies, services or installations, where a change of supplier would compel the entity to procure equipment or services not meeting requirements of interchangeability with already existing equipment or services, including software to the extent that the initial procurement of the software was covered by this Chapter."

8. The delivery dates

One system must be delivered on or before September 1, 2013 and the remaining fourteen (14) systems must be delivered on or before December 15, 2013.

9. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier

Name: Vaisala Inc. Address: 194 South Taylor Avenue, Louisville, Colorado, USA 80027

10. Supplier's right to submit a statement of capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN, 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.

11. The closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities

The closing date and time accepting statements of capabilities is June 18, 2013.

12. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities

Inquiries and statement of capabilities are to be directed to

Peggy Juan, Supply Team Leader 33 City Centre Drive Suite 480C Mississauga, Ontario L5B 2N5 Telephone: 905-615-2467 Facsimile: 905-615-2060 E-mail: peggy.juan@pwgsc.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.