THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS CANADA PROGRAM (ISC) - Call for Proposals (Call 002)

November 7, 2019

The Call for Proposals 002 closing date has been extended to November 29, 2019 at 14:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST). (There are currently no challenges open)

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September 3, 2019

1. New challenges are now open 

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August 30, 2019

1. New challenges are now open 

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August 26, 2019

1. New challenges are now open 

2. The Call for Proposals 002 closing date has been extended to November 8, 2019 at 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

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August 6, 2019

New challenges are now open!!

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April 16, 2019

1. Amendment 002 to the Call for Proposals has been added.

2. The Kinetic Energy Harvesting on Marine Vessels challenge is re-opened for a limited time due to an administrative error with the original closing date.

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December 14, 2018

Attachment 3 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Call for Proposals.

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November 19, 2018

1. Amendment 001 to the Call for Proposals has been added.

2. Attachment 2 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Call for Proposals.

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Call 002 is now open! We have made some improvements since Call 001 so be sure to read all documentation.

Introduction and Procurement Approach

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is issuing a Call for Proposals (CFP) on behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), seeking innovative solutions to address a wide range of challenges facing federal departments and agencies.

The Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) is designed to support the development of early-stage, pre-commercial innovations by small businesses that have no more than 499 employees and demonstrate the capacity to develop an innovative solution.

Challenges issued under the ISC CFP will be published on an ongoing basis and will be listed on this page. Details related to each challenge will be published in separate challenge notices. For each Challenge, proposals must be submitted by the closing date and time indicated on the tender notice page for that individual Challenge.

All information related to Proposal Submission, Evaluation Procedures and Basis of Selection are contained in the CFP solicitation document.

Innovative Solutions Canada Program Overview

The ISC program is a multi-stage program that seeks solutions to challenges that start at the earliest levels of technology development.

Phase 1: Proof of Concept

Eligible small businesses:

• Must enter the program at Phase 1
• Must propose a solution starting at technology readiness levels (TRLs) 1-4 (inclusive)
• May receive a contract for up to $150,000 and a maximum of 6 months to develop and deliver a proof of concept. The maximum funding and duration are identified in each Challenge Notice.

Phase 2: Prototype Development

Eligible small businesses that successfully complete Phase 1:

• May receive a contract for up to $1,000,000 and a maximum of two years to develop their solution beyond the proof of concept with the goal of developing and delivering of a prototype. The maximum funding and duration are identified in each Challenge Notice.

Important Note: On a case-by-case basis, the Department of National Defence will be allowed to spend outside of the limits and timelines noted in Phases 1 and 2. The maximum funding and duration are identified in each Challenge Notice.

Phase 3: Creating a Pathway to Commercialization

Based on the success of the prototype developed in previous phases, a federal department or agency may choose to fund additional research & development and/or procure the novel technology or service from the Canadian small business through a separate procurement process.

ISC Program Eligibility

Successful small businesses will be required to certify eligibility before entering Phase 1. Re-certification is required prior to entering Phase 2.

Eligible small businesses under the ISC program are those that meet all of the following criteria:

• for profit
• incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
• 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees*
• research and development activities that take place in Canada
• 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada*
• 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work*
• 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence*

* Calculations must take into account and include affiliated businesses, such as parent companies and subsidiaries that are either in or outside of Canada.

Under the Innovative Solutions Canada program, an "affiliate" relationship exists in the following situations:

• An affiliate is a corporation that is a subsidiary of another corporation
• If a corporation has two subsidiary corporations, the two subsidiaries are affiliates of each other; or
• If two corporations are controlled by the same individual or business, the two corporations are also affiliates of each other.

A subsidiary is understood to be a business which has more than 50% of its ordinary shares or voting power owned by another business or individual.

ENQUIRIES

Enquiries regarding the ISC Call for Proposals solicitation must be directed to:

TPSGC.SIC-ISC.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

For general ISC information, Bidders can visit the ISC website.

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Challenges:

There are no open challenges.

Federal departments and agencies may post challenges that use either procurement contracts or grants as financial instruments to support R&D in Phases 1 and 2. This notice pertains to procurement contracts. For information on open challenges funded by grants please see the ISC website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/00001.html

Submit your idea for our next challenge