BSE Testing

Request for Proposal: Cost-Benefit Analysis of BSE Testing in Cattle

a. Background on the Alberta Prion Research Institute and PrioNet Canada

b. Overview of Request for Proposals

c. Eligibility

d. Information for Proposals

e. Proposal Process

About the Prion Research Institute:

The Alberta Prion Research Institute (APRI) is a $35 million initiative, announced by the Government of Alberta in February 2005, to support top researchers working on solutions to the serious scientific, health and economic challenges associated with prions, the proteins thought to cause diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).  The Prion Institute supports outcome-oriented research that underpins prevention, mitigation and treatment of these diseases, and developing the scientific evidence to inform public policy and best practices.

About PrioNet Canada:

PrioNet Canada is a $35 million initiative of the Government of Canada's Network of the Centres of Excellence program established to solve the food, health safety, and socioeconomic problems posed by prion diseases.  PrioNet's basic, applied, and social research focuses on prion diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, and chronic wasting disease in deer and elk.  PrioNet Canada supports multidisciplinary research, provides training and networking opportunities, facilitates the transfer of research results to commercial uses, and promotes knowledge exchange activities.

Overview

The Alberta Prion Research Institute and PrioNet Canada, in partnership with the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) are requesting submission of proposals to study a voluntary BSE testing system based on private industry standards.  The study will include a rigorous cost and risk versus benefit analysis.

Proposals will address the following:

Testing to Private Industry Standards

1. A survey of:

a) Major Canadian exporters of meat products or livestock to determine which countries or companies have expressed an interest in importing meat and livestock products on basis that such imports are tested for BSE in advance of export. In those markets where there is commercial import interest, validate that such a policy is supported by the countries Governments.
b) Existing literature regarding cost-benefit analysis of BSE testing.

2. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of voluntary BSE testing assuming:

a) Post-mortem testing for marketing purposes using current test cost parameters (including an assessment of the cost of equiping a facility to store carcasses to the extent necessary beyond current cooling times).  The analysis will provide a cost-benefit comparison of BSE testing of animals under 21, 30 and 48 months of age.

3. Provide an analysis of post-mortem and ante-mortem testing as it is projected to impact on:

a) Cost-benefit estimates of first mover advantage in applying an ante-mortem test combined with mandatory traceability.
b) Pricing in international markets.
c) Pricing in domestic markets.
d) Canadian consumer confidence in Canadian beef assuming exported beef is tested as a marketing request for some international customers.  The researchers should exam examples of special production standards for marketing purposes such as antibiotic-free and hormone-free beef.

4. The analysis should determine whether testing to private standards would undermine the current government and industry position, which is that Canadian beef is safe to eat, without 100% testing.

5. A brief assessment of the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Creekstone Farms attempt to introduce private testing and what implications, if any, that decision has in Canada.

Testing for Market Access

6. An analysis of the likelihood of development, approval and acceptance by critical international markets of the applications of a practical and affordable ante-mortem BSE test that is accepted by the OIE.

7. A risk analysis of not adopting the usage of an ante-mortem BSE test in the event that such a technology is developed.

Proposals will:

  • Be led by a highly qualified Canada-based consultant or researcher from a Canadian company, college or university working with a team of researchers or consultants based in Canada.

  • Provide an implementation schedule with milestones, showing completion by June 4, 2010.

  • Include consultation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.

Eligibility

In order to submit a proposal, proponents must be affiliated with a Canadian college, university, an eligible Canada-based research organization, or a Canada-based company with demonstrated research and analytical capacity to carry out the proposed activity.

Vendor Provisions

The Vendor should have:

  • Experience and contacts in the beef industry to gain commitment from stakeholders and obtain valid data.

  • Full knowledge of BSE testing protocols and procedures in the international market place.

  • Knowledge of market segmentation and demand for private vs public standards.

  • Experience with cost-benefit analysis and full understanding of the beef supply chain.

Information for Respondents

Budget

Budgets in proposals must be carefully documented and clearly justified.

Review Process

Reviews will be by a team of APRI/PrioNet Canada management with the advice of independent external experts.

Contract Award

The successful proponent will be notified by December 18, 2009.  APRI/PrioNet Canada reserve the right to not accept the lowest cost or any proposal.

Selection Criteria

Selection will be based on the experience and capacity of the proponents to carry out the work, as well as the plan for the work, the cost, and the time frame to implement.

Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act

As a public body, the Alberta Prion Research Institute (APRI) is regulated by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Alberta. Personal information collected by APRI about program applicants is used to evaluate applications and administer and monitor funding. Such information includes, but is not limited to, curriculum vitae, contact information, academic affiliation and area of work. Applicants should also be aware that information collected may be used and disclosed as described below.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (ATIP)

PrioNet Canada comes under the control of the NCE Secretariat and the granting agencies and as such is subject to the lawas of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (ATIP).   The Access to Information Act (ATI) gives Canadian citizens and people present in Canada a limited right of access to information in federal government records.  The Privacy Act gives these same individuals a limited right of access to personal information about themselves held in government records and set out rules and fair practices for the management of personal information by federal institutions.

The ATI sets out specific exceptions that apply when disclosure of information could be expected to injure private and public interests and the agencies would not disclose personal information, i.e. the agencies would not disclose personal information about identifiable individuals or proprietary technical information submitted in confidence by researchers or companies.

Under the Privacy Act personal information would only given to the person requesting the information about himself but not about others.

As part of the evaluation process, application details are disclosed to independent members of committees and external reviewers from the academic, private and public sectors as applicable for a given program. All participating reviewers are advised of the expectations of confidentiality and protection of information. Reviewers will be required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The Alberta Prion Research Institute, Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions and PrioNet Canada routinely publish and disseminate certain information about successful applications. Such information may include project leader and researcher names, institutions, department affiliations and field of work.

The Alberta Prion Research Institute, Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions and PrioNet Canada use the information in its files and databases to generate mailing lists in order to disseminate its publications and other information to the community.

Timeline

Deadline for receipt of Applications

November 30th, 2009

Approval of Award

December 18th, 2009

Final date for completion of Project

June 4th, 2010

Proposal Process

Proposals need to include sufficient detail to allow appraisal of the:

  • Experience of the proponents

  • Plan for the project

  • Timelines and deliverables

  • Cost

Format

There is a maximum 30 page limit double spaced or 15 page limit single spaced, including appendices. Proposals must be provided using Arial 12 pt. or equivalent, single-sided (originals), black letter, standard print, on 8.5” x 11” (21 .5 cm by 28 cm) white paper with 1” (2.5 cm) margins all around.

 

Send one original and five copies with the signature(s) of the principle applicant(s) plus one electronic copy in MS Word or PDF format (a scanned pdf is not accepted).  The electronic copy may be sent on disk, CD-ROM with the original application or by e-mail to: ron.clarkson@albertainnovates.ca


Applications are to be sent to:

Alberta Prion Research Institute
Attention: Ron Clarkson, Director, Prion Programs

Special Projects
Alberta Prion Research Institute
Scotia Place, Tower II Suite 2001
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 3R8

Contact Information

For questions on Alberta Prion Research Institute or about this request for proposal, contact:

Kevin Keough
Executive Director
Alberta Prion Research Institute
Phone: (780) 638-3787
Fax: (780) 643-1432

E-mail: kevin.keough@albertainnovates.ca