Cold Climate Aviation Technologies – Ground Icing Research and Development

ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE Cold Climate Aviation Technologies – Ground Icing Research and Development Solicitation Number: T8080-230180 Transport Canada would like to increase data collection from tests conducted with artificial snow and to validate the results. The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government's intention to award a contract for this database to AMIL Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory. Before awarding a contract, however, the government would like to provide 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 ACAN posting period. If other potential suppliers submit statements of capabilities during the fifteen-calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, the department must proceed to a full tendering process on either the governments 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. BACKGROUND: Low temperature precipitation (e.g., ice, snow, melted snow, freezing rain, freezing mist) leads to aircraft icing and can have a significant impact on aircraft performance (e.g., thrust and lift). Aircraft operators and airport authorities currently limit ice build-up by using de/anti-icing fluids. These fluids are generally applied to various sections of aircraft in order to reduce the safety risks related to aircraft icing. Some aspects of de/anti-icing fluid performance tests are performed in natural snowfall conditions. This testing can sometimes be difficult to conduct because specific precipitation and temperature conditions need to be observed. In order to overcome these difficulties, speed up testing and reduce costs, Transport Canada is committed to testing the use of an artificial snow machine when establishing holdover times for de/anti-icing fluids. REQUIREMENTS / RESULTS: The objective of this project is to test artificial snow machine technology that could be used to evaluate holdover performance of aircraft de/anti-icing fluids. Another objective is to identify processes that can be used to improve the efficiency of artificial snow machines, and to make modifications to existing machines taking into account the differences between outdoor and indoor results. These objectives should help achieve the ultimate goal of performing fluid evaluation tests in a fully simulated environment. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES: The purpose of this project is to conduct basic research to understand the behaviour of aircraft de/antiicing fluids. This understanding will make it possible to develop a method to measure fluid holdover times. The general objectives of the research are as follows: a) Strengthen and deepen fundamental knowledge of how snow accumulates in natural and laboratory environments and how that snow interacts with aircraft anti-icing fluid products. • Study the mechanics governing the interaction between the fluid and snow, such as: i. Absorption by measuring the amount of snow absorbed and the rate of fluid dilution to the point of failure for different scenarios;Transport Canada Transports Canada ii. Flow rate as a function of fluid dilution by running endurance tests, using various sensors and image analysis methods; iii. The thermodynamics involved when the fluid dilutes snow by using thermal analysis and calorimetry. b) Improve laboratory snow making capabilities and improve snow machines to reproduce the conditions observed in the natural environment as closely as possible. • Improve the representativeness of the method and machine (snow used, snow depositing, application of fluid, etc.); • Ensure that the machine has a high level of reproducibility in regard to fluid test results under different snow conditions; • Make the equipment mobile; • Study different methods of artificially making snow and study their different properties. c) Study the correlation between natural snow and artificially manufactured snow. • Perform endurance tests according to the conditions established by Transport Canada; • Discuss the correlation results; • Participate in meetings with APS and TC/FAA; • Discuss recommended changes to guidance documents (SAE ARP5485, TP14052). To achieve these objectives, three SAE AMS1428 fluids will be assessed. One Type III fluid, one Type IV fluid (EG) and one Type IV fluid (PG). Each fluid will come from a different manufacturer and will be supplied by Transport Canada. d) Perform research and testing to understand the impacts on icing on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems on an as needed basis (optional). The contractor must submit milestone reports every six months. These reports must describe the activities completed, key results and progress in the testing schedule. Any specific problems or setbacks must be reported. At the end of the contract, a final report must be produced. A draft copy of the final report must be sent in Word format to the project authority. This report must contain a general description of the completed tests, the results of each test and any other relevant observations for review and comment. When the document is deemed responsive and comments are made, the final version of the final report must be submitted by the contractor no later than five days before the scheduled end date of the contract. Once the progress reports and the final report are accepted, they can be delivered in Word or PDF format. CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES (MINIMUM ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Transport Canada is seeking a service provider who can provide performance testing of aircraft ground anti-icing and de-icing products on artificial snow that meets all of the mandatory requirements set out below. Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets these requirements: 1. The service provider must have a research infrastructure that allows the simulation of several winter hydrometeors under controlled temperature conditions. The minimum operating limits for a cold room must be -35°C and a wind tunnel temperature down to -40°C.Transport Canada Transports Canada 2. The service provider must have expertise, acquired over the past 20 years, in the development of methodologies and devices to assess the performance and effectiveness of aircraft ground antiicing and de-icing strategies. 3. The service provider must have a device allowing the simulation of snow precipitation artificially formed in a laboratory. This device should allow, under controlled laboratory conditions, to measure the effectiveness time of anti and de-icing products and fluids under snow. 4. The service provider must be a recognized laboratory where it is possible to certify the fluids used on aircraft in terms of aerodynamic elimination or even anti-icing performance. 5. The service provider must have a track record of presenting aircraft ground icing and anti-icing R&D results at conferences and international workshops. 6. The service provider must have an interdisciplinary staff including PhD in fields such as engineering, laboratory testing and technical report writing. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PRE-IDENTIFIED SUPPLIER: The International Laboratory of Anti-Icing Materials (LIMA) is a laboratory of the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, working in research in the field of de-icing and anti-icing products used for aircraft, structures and airport runways. It is recognized as being the only laboratory in the world where it is possible to certify the fluids used on aircraft in terms of aerodynamic elimination or even anti-icing performance. LIMA has a unique research infrastructure allowing the simulation of several winter hydrometeors under controlled temperature conditions. The minimum operating limits for cold rooms are -40°C with an accuracy of 0.5°C and in a wind tunnel down to -45°C. The LIMA team has expertise, acquired over the past 30 years, in the development of methodologies and devices to assess the performance and effectiveness of anti-icing and de-icing strategies. Among these, a device allowing the simulation of snow precipitation, artificially formed in the laboratory. The latter was developed by the LIMA research team in collaboration with the industry and allows, under controlled laboratory conditions, to measure the effectiveness time of products under snow. For the moment there is only one copy of the device, which is at UQAC. LIMA's current team is diversified and allows it to carry out international projects in line with the needs of the industry. Its mission is to support research and development in this field while prioritizing the training of highly qualified personnel. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTION (S): The following exception (s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection 6 (d) – “only one person is capable of performing the work” AMIL Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory is the only known service provider that meets all the mandatory criteria as described within; no alternative source of supply is known. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR: AMIL Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory Université du Québec à Chicoutimi 555 Blvd De L’université Chicoutimi, Quebec G7H 2B1 SUPPLIERS’ RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:Transport Canada Transports Canada Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing, preferably by e-mail, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date and time of this Notice. The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements. Responses received on or before the closing date will be considered solely for the purpose of deciding whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Information provided will be used by the Crown for technical evaluation purposes only and is not to be construed as a competitive solicitation. Your written response must provide sufficient evidence (e.g. specifications, technical data, drawings, or any other proof) that clearly demonstrates that your product or service is capable of fulfilling this requirement. Suppliers that have submitted a response will be notified in writing of TC’s decision to continue with the non-competitive procurement or to compete for the requirement. BASIS FOR CANADA’S OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: All intellectual property created, conceived or made exclusively by the contractor in the framework of this contract will remain the property of the contractor. The contractor will grant Transport Canada a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free license for the use of intellectual property for non-commercial purposes. TRADE AGREEMENTS: There are no Trade Agreements applicable to this ACAN. Exercising the following exception: The protection of patents, copyrights, or other exclusive rights SECURITY REQUIREMENT: There are no security requirements for this contract. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contract award date to March 31, 2027 The contract will include two (2) additional one (1) year period under the same conditions to be activated at the discretion of Transport Canada. ESTIMATE COST: The estimated value of the contract including option years is $436,050.00. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR WRITTEN SUPPLIER RESPONSES CHALLENGING THIS REQUIREMENT IS AUGUST 23, 2023 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME AT 2:00 P.M. Submissions received after this date and time will not be accepted. INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSION OF STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES: Inquiries and statement of capabilities are to be submitted in writing to: Diane Jazzar A/Procurement Specialist Transport Canada Email: diane.jazzar@tc.gc.ca