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

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: (number on the official notice)
Facsimile: (number on the official notice)
E-mail: (email on the official notice)

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.