Zero Clearance Dies

The National Research Council of Canada is procuring four custom precision zero-clearance cutting dies for use in lithium-ion battery electrode fabrication at its Boucherville, Quebec facility. These dies are designed to replace conventional steel-rule tools on the existing EPM280 electrode punching machine, enabling burr-free cuts with minimal debris and enhanced dimensional accuracy. Each die must perform a specific function: cutting one large anode electrode, one large cathode electrode, eight small anode electrodes with 12-mm tabs, and eight small cathode electrodes with 12-mm tabs, with adjacent small electrodes spaced no more than 5 mm apart. All dies must be constructed from high-strength tool steel with a minimum hardness of HRC 60, be capable of 250,000 punches before re-sharpening, and produce edge burrs no greater than 10 micrometers. Functional anti-adhesion mechanisms, such as air-blast or vacuum ejection, and spring-mounted stripper plates for clean part release are mandatory. The dies must fit within strict dimensional limits of 370 mm in depth, 490 mm in width, and 320 mm in height and must operate without requiring modifications to the EPM280 machine. This procurement is conducted as a sole-source award under subsection 6(d) of the Government Contracts Regulations, justified on technical exclusivity due to the proprietary design capabilities of Sovema Global Services Inc., the only supplier capable of meeting the exacting specifications. The procurement is exempt from trade agreements under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and related FTAs because no other vendor can deliver the required performance without proprietary engineering. The contract requires submission of a Statement of Capabilities to verify full compliance with all technical requirements; failure to meet any single criterion results in automatic disqualification. Delivery must occur within five months of contract award at the NRC's Boucherville site, where government personnel will conduct final inspection and acceptance. No pricing details, payment terms, packaging specifications, or contracting officer’s technical representative are provided in the documentation. The solicitation closed on May 26, 2026, with submissions directed to the designated contracting officer via email or written correspondence.