Field-Scale Simulation Modelling and Agrohydrologic Assessment Services for Prairie Cropping Systems

DESCRIPTION: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) AAFC requires a Contractor to conduct field-scale, process-based simulation modelling using measured soil, crop, nutrient, and management datasets from AAFC research fields in Manitoba, and to develop calibrated and evaluated model configurations suitable for assessing, at whole field and management-zone scales, the impacts of alternative cropping systems and climate variability on: • Crop productivity (e.g., yield, biomass) for crops such as wheat, canola, soybean, barley, and/or other crops represented in AAFC datasets; • Soil water dynamics (e.g., soil moisture, plant-available water, water stress indices, drainage/leaching indicators as supported by the modelling framework); • Evapotranspiration (ET) and related water balance components (as supported by the modelling framework and available inputs); • Nutrient cycling and loss indicators, including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loss pathways (e.g., leaching/runoff/loss indicators as supported by the model framework); and • Long-term soil carbon dynamics (e.g., soil organic carbon trajectories under alternative rotations and management, as supported by the modelling framework and available datasets). This work will include simulation-based evaluation of cash crop systems and exploration of integrating cover crops and/or perennial phases into Prairie rotations, leveraging established cultivar coefficients/parameters where available in the selected model(s) (e.g., DSSAT or equivalent process-based model, including EPIC, APEX/ArcAPEX, DNDC, DayCent, STICS, APSIM, or RZWQM). A parallel agricultural hydrology component will strengthen the representation and evaluation of soil water processes using available AAFC soil moisture, yield, soil physical/chemical properties, and annual fertility datasets.

The contract period is anticipated from December 1, 2026 to November 30, 2027 with an irrevocable option to extend it for up to one additional one-year period.

Policy on Reciprocal Procurement This solicitation of offers is open only to Canadian suppliers (if subject to any international trade agreement(s) and to Suppliers of an applicable trading partner.

Mandatory Technical Criteria Requirements Bids will be assessed in accordance with the entire requirement of the bid solicitation including the technical and financial evaluation criteria.

Basis of selection: Highest Combined Rating of Technical Merit and Price

The bid solicitation contains mandatory and point-rated technical evaluation criteria. The responsive bid with the highest combined rating of technical merit and price will be recommended for award of a contract.

SOLICITATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO AAFC AT: This bid solicitation allows bidders to use the CPC Connect service provided by Canada Post Corporation to transmit their bid electronically. Bidders must refer to Part 4 entitled Offer Submission of the bid solicitation for further information.

Refer to the attached solicitation documents to obtain further information.

Canada retains the right to negotiate with any supplier on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

PROCURING OFFICE: Melissa Smith, Procurement Specialist Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Western Service Centre 300 – 2010 12th Avenue Regina, SK S4P 0M3 Telephone: 306-515-4796 E-mail address: melissa.smith3@agr.gc.ca

AAFC has adopted the Integrity Regime administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada. As a result, the integrity provisions are being applied in AAFC procurement activities as outlined in this solicitation.

Canada will make available Notices of Proposed Procurement (NPP), bid solicitations and related documents for download through the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) at https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/solicitation-opportunities. Canada is not responsible and will not assume any liabilities whatsoever for the information found on websites of third parties. In the event an NPP, bid solicitation or related documentation would be amended, Canada will not be sending notifications. Canada will post all amendments, including significant enquiries received and their replies, using GETS. It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to regularly consult GETS for the most up-to-date information. Canada will not be liable for any oversight on the Bidder's part nor for notification services offered by a third party.

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