Feasibility Study for the Installation of a Ground-coupled Heat Exchanger at the Dairy Complex of the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is seeking a qualified consultant in agricultural, mechanical, and electrical engineering to conduct a feasibility study for the installation of ground-coupled heat exchangers, known locally as puits canadiens, to preheat and cool air for the dairy complex housing approximately 120 cows in Section 100 of the barn at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre in Quebec. The consulting services must include a comprehensive technical survey, site analysis, energy savings and greenhouse gas emission assessments, economic feasibility modeling, and the development of a Level D cost estimate. Key deliverables include staged feasibility study reports at 66%, 99%, and final completion, along with preliminary schedules, client meeting records, presentation materials, and detailed documentation of all assumptions, calculations, and referenced standards. The work is to be performed under a fixed-price contract with a period of performance running from the award date until March 31, 2027, and includes mandatory site visits and coordination with AAFC personnel. The contract requires complete adherence to a strict project timeline, beginning with award on August 17, 2026, and culminating in final submission by January 11, 2027, with close-out activities due by January 18, 2027. All offers must be submitted electronically to the designated AAFC mailbox by the closing deadline of July 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, and must include completed mandatory forms including the Offer Submission Form, Offeror Declaration Form, and Security Requirements Check List. Compliance with all solicitation requirements is mandatory, and non-compliant offers will be rejected outright. The award will be made to the lowest-priced compliant offer. The contractor must maintain accurate financial records under an approved accounting system, submit detailed invoices with supporting documentation including time sheets and travel vouchers for each delivery, and ensure all expenses are properly itemized. Payment terms mandate that Canada will settle undisputed invoices within 30 days, with 15% tax withholding for non-resident contractors unless a waiver is provided. The contractor assumes full responsibility for all insurance, is bound by strict security protocols including mandatory RELIABILITY status for personnel, is prohibited from accessing or processing PROTECTED or CLASSIFIED information, and must adhere to anti-forced labor and international sanctions regulations. Canada retains full copyright ownership of all deliverables, and termination for convenience may result in payment for completed work and incidental costs only