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Create free accountTrade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid Attachment: None Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Vendor Name and Address: The University of Manitoba The University of Manitoba Admin Rm. 202 Administration Building Winnipeg Manitoba Canada R3T2N2 Nature of Requirements: Sensor for stand-off detections of Improvised Explosive Devices
1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN)
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 the requirement
DRDC Valcartier intends to study the feasibility of a man-portable camera-like device to detect the presence of energetic materials at stand-off distances. The objective of the present work is to develop a prototype of an imaging sensor using microwaves to detect specific chemical compounds of energetic materials found in containers of different configurations. It is envisaged that this sensor will be a time resolved broadband imaging device operating in the safe microwave spectrum. The demonstration of this imaging sensor could pave the way for a future man-portable device for stand-off detection, in order to rapidly and safely identify energetic materials in complex environments.
Microwave is the electromagnetic band of choice. Microwave offers major advantages for remote sensing of chemical compounds. Microwave radiation propagates through large distances and has modest attenuation when passing through physical barriers such as clothing, wood, paper, plastics, soil, sands, and rocks, thus can be used to detect objects hidden behind them. While other methods based on thermal signature can detect based on contrasts in temperature, microwave can detect objects at ambient temperatures where there is no contrast in temperature between the object and the background.
More specifically, a microwave sensing/imaging sensor using specifically designed magnetic materials offers a capability for detection of various chemical materials, with a high degree of sensitivity and accuracy. Different methods do exist, or are in development, to localize buried objects, such as infrared thermography, surface impedance, pulse magnetic induction, and long wavelength infrared, but none can actually identify the buried object as an explosive and have severe limitations in doing so. The microwave sensing/imaging sensor with magnetic materials offers a solution for the identification of buried explosives with few of the limitations observed in other systems.
The microwave sensing/imaging sensor with magnetic materials operates as follows. Images of the object are obtained at different frequencies in order to determine the frequency-dependent dielectric constant of the object. Identification of the chemical compounds contained in the object is obtained through a correlation with the material properties of known chemical compounds. Due to its design, this sensor may also be housed in a container of a small form factor, to be integrated in a portable camera-like device.
There is one critical issue with using microwave to detect objects, namely, the attenuation of the microwave band in water. This can occur for instance when hidden objects are surrounded by wet mud. The resolution of this issue is through a judicious selection of the sensitivity and frequency of the sensor. The sensing imaging device and phase probing technique can address this issue accordingly.
i. Design of a prototype microwave broadband sensor with miniaturized and highly sensitive magnetic imaging sensors to detect chemical compounds. The sensitivity should be typically from 0.1 to 1 mV/mW, at zero magnetic field and at a power level in the range of nW microwave radiation. The sensor has to be broadband (1-40 GHz), in order to reduce the distortion of the field distribution of microwave signals scattered from the targeted object. The chemical compounds to be detected include, TNT, RDX, HMX, PETN, CL20, ASPIRIN, Ammonium Perchlorate and soils contaminated with these chemical compounds, including mud at varied levels of humidity from zero to 90%). The chemical compounds should also be detectable at distances ranging from 10 mm to 1 meter or more.
ii. Fabrication of the concept defined under item 1.
iii. Development of image processing algorithms, for image reconstruction of the buried objects, exploiting multi-sensor integration to rapidly generate a 2D image.
iv. Development of a database of electronic structures and energetics of the chemical compounds listed in item 1. If no experimental data is available, advanced quantum chemistry calculations are needed to provide predicted data.
v. Development of a database of the dielectric constants of the chemical compounds listed in item 1, for the purpose of identifying the compounds and calibrating the sensors. If no experimental data is available, advanced quantum chemistry calculations are needed to predict data.
vi. Development of user interface software
vii. Calibration of the prototype sensor.
viii. Assessments of indoor and outdoor performance the sensor. The detection tests of chemical compounds have to be performed at varying levels of humidity from zero to 90%.
ix. Writing reports on the experimental and theoretical developments of the project.
a. A prototype of a microwave sensing/imaging sensor, as described above.
b. Documented algorithms on imaging processing and a database of structures, energetics and dielectric constants of the above chemical compounds.
c. An assessment of the detection capability of this sensor, indoor and outdoor, and the identification of outstanding technical issues and recommendations for future work.
d. Technical reports describing the design concept, the fabrication of the sensing/imaging sensor, its operation, the image processing algorithms, the database of structures, energetics and dielectric constants of chemical compounds listed in item 1, the calibration process as well as the test plan, configuration and results of both indoor and outdoor assessments.
3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements)
The Statement of capabilities should clearly address and in sufficient depth each of the points A, B, C and D below that are subject to the criteria. Simply repeating the statement contained in the criteria is not sufficient.
A. The Proposed Approach
Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must demonstrate that he/she can propose an approach that meets fully the following technical specifications.
A.1 A microwave sensing/imaging sensor to detect chemical compounds, which converts microwave signals on-chip to electrical signals, processes the signals, creates a 2D image, is compact and broadband (1-40 GHz). A.2 The microwave sensing/imaging sensor is comprised of individual microwave sensors that are integrated into an array, whose size is matched to performance requirements. A.3 The microwave sensor has a detection threshold on the order of nanoWatt in the microwave spectrum, and a sensitivity of 0.1 to 1 mV/mW in a zero magnetic field. A.4 The use of advanced models based on first-principles of the physics to simulate the dynamics of magnetic materials and predict their dielectric constants, electronic structures, energetics and thermodynamic properties of the chemical compounds if not already available. These data will be used to model the response of magnetic sensors to the chemical compounds listed under item 1, and develop the underlying mathematical process for image reconstructions. A.5 A database of structures, energetics and dielectric constants of the molecules listed under item 1.
B. The Proposed Scientific Resources
Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must demonstrate that he can propose a team that meets the following criteria:
The proposed team must include one member with a Ph.D. in experimental physics, a second member with a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and a third with a Ph.D. in computational physics.
One of the above three members must be the team technical lead.
Adding the experience of the individual team members, the team as a whole must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in each of the following fields:
B.1 Research in semiconductor physics, magnetism, microwave and infrared spectroscopy, photo-conductivity spectroscopy. B.2 Research in computational modeling, including modeling electronic and charge transport properties of semiconductors. B.3 Design of nano materials. B.4 Design, fabrication, characterization and calibration of magnetic sensors, including ferromagnetic materials and magnetic structures. B.5 Modeling, simulation and analysis of the electronic dynamics in magnetic materials. B.6 Use of commercial advanced quantum chemistry calculation software (such as Gaussian, Material Studio, VASP, Games) for the prediction of dielectric constants and other physical/chemical properties of materials, and the analysis of the calculated data.
C. Equipment, experimental facilities and hardware/software capabilities
Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must demonstrate that he/she can have access to the following equipment, Experimental facilities and hardware/software :
C.1 A lock-in amplifier for electrical detection and a fast technique for direct electrical probing of the phase of a continuous wave (cw) microwave signals, C.2 A high-frequency broadband (0-40GHz) probe station for the measurement of magnetic, electrical and microwave properties of magnetic materials and micro-structured devices. C.3 A microwave generator, C.4 Clean-room facilities for the fabrication of micro-structured, microwave sensors and sensor arrays. C.5 Advanced and adapted quantum chemistry and physics codes to perform calculations, for predicting magnetic structures and quantum electronic transport to describe the electronic dynamics and interactions in magnetic materials and for the microwave image reconstruction. C.6 Access to one supercomputer for running the quantum chemistry/physics software to predict the dielectric constants, the electronic structures, the energetics and the thermordynamic properties of chemical compounds.
D. Requirements related to the Intellectual Properties
Any supplier submitting a Statement of capabilities must demonstrate that he/she has the intellectual property right required to perform the work.
4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement
This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement : Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier
We intend to work with the suppliers named in section 11 below as they are the only suppliers that can meet all of the mandatory criteria above.
The proposed approach meets the technical specifications listed in Section 3A above.
The proposed team meets all the criteria listed in Section 3B above.
They also have access to the equipment, experimental facilities and hardware/software listed in Section 3C above.
Finally, they have the intellectual property right required to perform the work:
The University of Manitoba (UoM) has demonstrated the 'proof concept' of the technology of microwave sensing/imaging devices. Indeed, two US patents are filed to the UoM [U.S. Patent, No. US 7986140 B2 (2009), U.S. Provisional Patent, serial number: 61/360, 479] on micro-fabrication techniques in designing and making spintronic sensors for microwave imaging applications.
Nanoacademic has exclusively licensed from McGill University the US patent (US8, 082,130, B2). Using the IP of this patent, the company has developed the in-house code ``Nanodcal" which is the most powerful package for modeling charge/spin transport properties of magnetic devices including the simulation of Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) structures.
Therefore, only the Nanoacademic Technologies Inc. and the University of Manitoba can meet the above mandatory requirements (see Section 3) and their expertise is required together for the success of this project within the Contract Period. Their expertise will be extended to the materials related to the detection of the IEDs. Both have demonstrated the proof concept of the technology in their previous corresponding protected IP.
6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s)
The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection : subsection 6(d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work").
7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons
The following exclusion and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the : Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) - Articles 506 12 (a) and (b)
8. Ownership of Intellectual Property
Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the "Fabrication, development and calibration" portion of the work will vest in the Contractor. Ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the "Computational modeling simulations and software developments" portion of the work will vest in the Crown.
9. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date
The proposed contracts are for a period of 2 years, from October 1st, 2013, to September 30th, 2015.
10. Cost estimate of the proposed contract
The total estimated value of both contracts is $ 890,000.00 (Applicable taxes extra).
11. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier
Fabrication, development and calibration : University of Manitoba Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3T 2N2 Canada
Computational modeling simulations and software developments : Les Technologies Nanoacademic Inc. 7005, boulevard Taschereau Bureau 256 Brossard (Québec) J4Z 1A7 Canada
12. Suppliers' 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.
13. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities
The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is august 14th, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. EST.
14. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities
Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: Gabriel Piras Direction des approvisionnements | Supply Directorate Travaux publics & Services gouvernementaux Canada | Public Works & Government Services Canada 601-1550, avenue D'Estimauville, Québec, (Québec) G1J 0C7 Courriel | Email: Gabriel.Piras@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca Téléphone | Telephone: 418-649-2870 Télécopieur | Facsimile: 418-648-2209
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.
Not stated in the notice: procurement type, procurement method, selection criteria, region of delivery, region of opportunity, expected contract period, end user
No amendments observed.
No attachments listed in the open data.
No contact listed in the open data.