Eval. of the Impacts on Surface Run-off and groundwater flow on permafrost and road embankment stabi

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid Attachment: None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Government Objectives Representing Best Interests/Value to Govt Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: Université de Montréal C.P.,6128,Succursale Centre-ville Montreal Quebec Canada H3C3J7 Nature of Requirements: PWGSC file number: T8129-120006/A Contracting Authority: Bitsene, Marlène Telephone No. - (819) 956-1347 Fax No. - (819) 997-2229

ADVANCED CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE (ACAN)

TITLE

EVALUATION OF THE IMPACTS OF SURFACE RUN-OFF AND GROUNDWATER FLOW ON PERMAFROST AND ROAD EMBANKMENT STABILITY

NOTICE DESCRIPTION

1. Purpose

Transport Canada (TC) has a requirement for the provision of services for the evaluation of the impacts of surface run-off and groundwater flow on permafrost and road embankment stability. The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government's intention to award a contract for these services to Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec. Before awarding a contract, however, the government provides 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 fifteen calendar day posting period.

If other potential suppliers submit statements of capabilities during the fifteen 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.

2. Background

Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for ensuring a safe, efficient and reliable transportation system in Canada's northern regions. The Department supports research and development activities to design, develop, and implement innovative technologies, tools, and best practices; improve and enhance knowledge and understanding of the impacts of climate change on the northern transportation system; improve the resiliency and adaptability of both existing and future northern transportation infrastructure and operations to climate change; and encourage the development of northern expertise. TC works collaboratively with provincial and territorial governments, academia, and private industry to ensure that limited northern resources are maximized and that the knowledge, best practices and adaptive solutions gained from this initiative benefit Canada's North.

Permafrost is an integral component of the terrain in Canada's North and it often contributes to the underlying strength and stability of transportation infrastructure. As a result of climate change, transportation infrastructure in the North is becoming more susceptible to permafrost thaw and degradation. In addition to a warming atmosphere, the presence of water in the form of surface run-off and sub-surface flows increases the likelihood of permafrost degradation through advective heating. A better understanding of these processes will help determine the extent to which surface run-off and sub-surface flows contribute to permafrost degradation, and whether it is much larger than warming air temperature.

3. Requirement

Scope

The work required is

- to develop numerical modelling tools;

- to use these tools for a sensitivity analysis to study the effects of varying ground temperature and water temperature, discharge and turbulence on permafrost degradation;

- to summarize the results of the sensitivity analysis. The target audiences for the results are transportation planners and practitioners working in permafrost regions. The summary should include recommendations that support climate change adaptation solutions for transportation infrastructure and operations in these regions (e.g., new drainage system to prevent permafrost degradation); and

- to ensure that numerical modelling outputs are effectively translated into user-friendly recommendations for planners and decision-makers as the guiding principle for this proposed project is to develop tools and knowledge that will ultimately help northern transportation planners and decision-makers manage their transportation infrastructure and operations in the context of changing climate.

Tasks / Technical Specifications

The proposed Contractor must

- Calibrate and set up a controlled environment to study permafrost in environmental conditions (temperature and light conditions) similar to Canada's North;

- Develop physical models of permafrost degradation induced by groundwater flow and thermo-erosion of ice wedges;

- Characterize the thermal gradient at the ice-water boundary interface;

- Develop innovative numerical thermal models to better understand the effects of changing environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, flow rate);

- Use numerical simulations tools to study permafrost degradation by groundwater flow and thermo-erosion of massive ice caused by the infiltration of surface run-off water; and

- Conduct sensitivity analysis studies to better understand the effects of varying ground temperature and water temperature, discharge and turbulence on permafrost degradation.

Government Furnished Equipment / Information

A copy of the "Publication Guidelines for Contractors (2013 Edition)" will be provided to the proposed Contractor upon contract award. The document outlines specific report requirements (e.g., section requirements, formatting). The purpose of this document is to ensure all reports submitted by the Contractor are high quality and uniform.

Deliverables

Knowledge dissemination strategy: The dissemination strategy should highlight plans for sharing results of the proposed project. This would include identifying target audiences and dissemination vehicles (e.g., websites, conferences and workshops). For example, the proposed Contractor's summary presentation to subject matter experts from government (including TC), academia and private industry could be considered part of the dissemination strategy. Report summarizing the purchasing and setting up of laboratory environment to support testing and modelling activities Interim Report Draft of the Final Report Final Report Summary of Final Results/Findings Presentation.

Minimum essential requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements. The Principal Investigator requires the following qualifications and capabilities (at a minimum):

- Must have at least 10 years of technical research experience in the subjects of geography and geomorphology with at least 8 years of experience studying permafrost and the effects of its degradation on Canada's transportation infrastructure. This could be demonstrated by holding an advanced degree in either of these subjects (e.g., PhD) and/or through consultancy work.

- Must be fluent in either of Canada's official languages.

- Must have ready access to human resources, knowledge resources, and equipment to provide the deliverables outlined in the SOW within the stated timelines.

- Must have access to networks of researchers and practitioners. These networking opportunities could be used as forums to share research, improve researching capabilities, and could take the form of networks, research communities, conferences and permafrost-related workshops. The minimum number of cumulative researchers/practitioners for these networks is 200.

- Must have at least 8 years of technical research experience in studying surface and groundwater flows in permafrost regions, as well as the processes guiding thermo-erosion and permafrost degradation.

- Must have 5 years of experience addressing the challenges facing northern transportation infrastructure, as it relates to climate change.

- Must have at least 5 years of experience using numerical modelling software (e.g., COMSOL) and developing thermal numerical models for sensitivity analysis studies.

- Must have ready access to a controlled laboratory environment where climatic conditions of Canada's North can be reproduced (i.e., temperatures between room/ambient and -40oC; and lighting conditions - the full spectrum of solar radiation).

4. Contract Period

From Contract Award to December 1, 2015.

5. Estimated value

The estimated contract value is $288,150.00, GST/HST included (if applicable).

6. Justification for the Pre-selected Supplier

The Pre-Selected Supplier is considered unique as it is the only known supplier with the proposed Principal Investigator who has direct access to the Geocyosphere, a unique and controlled laboratory environment of université de Montréal that can mimic environmental conditions of Canadian permafrost regions. The proposed Principal Investigator also has extensive experience in very specialized fields as geomorphology, permafrost, thermo-erosion, and surface and groundwater flow in permafrost regions. The Government Contracts Regulations (GCRs) section 6 (d) applies - only one person or firm is capable of performing the work.

7. Trade Agreement

The Agreement on Internal Trade is applicable to this procurement.

This requirement is excluded from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as per Annex 1001.1b-2, Section B, and the World Trade Organization - Agreement on Government Procurement (WTO-AGP) because R&D services are not listed in these trade agreements. The provisions of the Comprehensive Land Claims Agreements (CLCA) do not apply, as the services will not be performed within Comprehensive Land Claims Settlement areas. The Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal business is not applicable, as the services will not be delivered to or for an Aboriginal population.

8. Inquiries and Submission of 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 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.

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to

Marlène Bitsene Science procurement directorate Acquisitions Branch 11C1-10, phase III - Place du Portage 11, rue Laurier Gatineau, Québec K1A 0S5 Canada

Telephone: (819) 956-1347 Facsimile: (819) 997-2229 E-mail: marlene.bitsene@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

9. Closing date and time

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is November 29, 2013, 2:00 p.m. EST. 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.