Laboratory-Scale Gas Atomizer

The National Research Council of Canada is procuring a laboratory-scale Gas Atomizer to support advanced battery materials research at its Clean Energy Innovation facility in Mississauga, with the system designed to produce high-purity spherical metal and alloy powders essential for energy material development. The contract requires the full supply, delivery, and installation of a custom-built atomizer capable of processing a minimum of 1 kg per cycle of key metals including iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, manganese, gold, silver, tin, lead, zinc, and titanium, with precise control over particle size distribution—specifically a median particle size (D50) between 10 and 100 micrometers—and ensuring at least 95% of the powder is spherical in morphology. The system must include an integrated melting and alloying unit capable of processingpowders, ingots, and recycled materials to enable flexible and sustainable experimentation. The contract mandates that the vendor complete all installation activities on-site using provided infrastructure and deliver comprehensive English-language documentation covering operation, maintenance, and installation, along with at least five days of on-site training for up to four personnel within 15 days of installation. A minimum 24-month manufacturer’s warranty covering all parts, labor, and shipping is required. The solicitation is structured as a fixed-price contract with evaluation based solely on compliance with mandatory technical pass/fail criteria followed by lowest price selection. Vendors must meet five non-negotiable technical benchmarks including production capacity, material versatility, particle characteristics, and experience delivering similar systems within the past five years, with failure in any criterion resulting in non-responsiveness. Compliance with Canadian procurement policies is strictly enforced, including adherence to the Ineligibility and Suspension Policy, the Code of Conduct for Procurement, and the Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity. Contractors must hold a valid Procurement Business Number and submit both technical and financial proposals electronically in separate files, with all financial information strictly confined to the financial offer to avoid disqualification. Delivery must occur via DAP Mississauga, Ontario under Incoterms® 2020, with payment terms set at 30 days after receipt of a compliant invoice and interest accruing on overdue amounts at the Average Rate plus 3 percent annually. Detailed security, data protection, confidentiality, and audit requirements are incorporated through Annexes and contractual clauses, including mandatory record retention for seven years after final payment, and the contractor must maintain an accounting system allowing Canadian authorities access to financial and operational records during business hours.