Benthic Invertebrate and Sediment Analysis

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is seeking a contractor through a four-year Standing Offer to provide taxonomic identification of marine benthic invertebrates and analysis of associated sediment samples collected from coastal and offshore regions of the Canadian Arctic. The work requires species-level identification of infaunal samples, with estimated volumes of 50 to 200 samples annually, depending on the service type, along with abundance and biomass estimations, preservation of specimens in 95% ethanol using glass shell vials with plug closures, and the creation of reference collections. Sediment analysis may include grain size, benthic pigments, and organic matter content measured via Loss on Ignition. All identifications must be conducted by internationally recognized taxonomic experts to ensure accuracy and continuity across years, and taxonomic validation must follow the World Register of Marine Species standards. Work is to be performed at the contractor’s facility, with samples required to be received within 24 hours of collection to maintain integrity. The contract includes mandatory requirements for experience in Arctic benthic infauna taxonomy and LOI-based organic matter analysis; only offers scoring a minimum of 63 out of 90 on technical merit will be considered, with award based on the best overall value combining technical merit and price, not lowest cost. Invoices must be submitted electronically to DFO.invoicing-facturation.MPO@DFO-MPO.gc.ca, include appropriate financial codes, and are processed via direct deposit. Contractors must ensure all work meets government quality standards, maintain comprehensive QA/QC records, and comply with Canada’s security protocols, including obtaining required security clearances for personnel and safeguarding protected information marked as « propriété de... ». Key personnel specified in the contract must perform the work and any substitution requires written notice, qualifications, clearance proof, and government approval. The contractor must also disclose any conflict of interest, former public servant status, or pension or lump-sum payments from prior government service, and failure to fulfill these requirements may result in disqualification or termination. All deliverables must be submitted in English, and performance is subject to inspection and acceptance by the government at any location where work is conducted.