Detection System for Wireless Communication

January 4, 2019

Attachment 3 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Challenge.

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December 14, 2018

Attachment 2 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Challenge.

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November 30, 2018

Attachment 1 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Challenge.

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November 15, 2018

The closing date for this challenge has been extended to January 8, 2019 at 14:00 EDT.

The ‘’Essential Outcomes’’ and ‘’Additional Outcomes’’ sections below have been modified. To view the deleted text, please review Amendment 001 under: Solicitation Documents.

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This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program Call for Proposals 002 (EN578-170003/C).

Please refer to the Solicitation Documents which contain the process for submitting a proposal.

Steps to apply:

Step 1: read this challenge

Step 2: read the Call for Proposals

Step 3: propose your solution

CHALLENGE TITLE: Detection System for Wireless Communication

CHALLENGE SPONSOR: Correctional Services Canada (CSC)

FUNDING MECHANISM: Contract

MAXIMUM CONTRACT VALUE:

Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.

The maximum funding available for any Phase 1 Contract resulting from this Challenge is $150,000.00 CAD (plus tax) including shipping, travel and living expenses, as applicable, for up to 6 months.

The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 Contract resulting from this Challenge is $1,000,000.00 CAD (plus tax) including shipping, travel and living expenses, as applicable, for up to 2 years. Only eligible businesses that have completed Phase 1 could be considered for Phase 2.

This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding.

TRAVEL:

For Phase 1, it is anticipated that two meetings may require the successful bidder(s) to travel to the location identified below:

• Kick-off Meeting: Ottawa, Ontario
• Final Review Meeting: Ottawa, Ontario

PROBLEM SUMMARY

Correctional Services Canada (CSC) is seeking a technological solution to manage/prevent unauthorized use of wireless communication devices thereby preventing inmates from conducting illegal activities using such devices.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The presence of wireless devices in correctional facilities is enabling inmates to conduct criminal or otherwise non-approved activities through the use of these devices. Wireless devices are getting smaller, more sophisticated, and easier to bypass traditional detection methods. Possession of wireless communication devices by inmates within CSC institutions is strictly prohibited. Over the past decade the prevalence and use of wireless devices by inmates housed within correctional facilities has been increasing.

Wireless devices broadly encompasses cellular phones, smart phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), tablet computers, media devices, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and various other forms of portable electronic communication and media devices. Although this prohibition is rigidly enforced, mobile devices are frequently recovered by Correctional Officers from inmates within an institution.

By implementing an effective wireless detection system within CSC correctional facilities, the risk/reward balance to inmates of importing/acquiring and using these contraband devices will be significantly reduced, thereby rendering wireless communication devices useless to inmates.

DESIRED OUTCOMES AND CONSIDERATIONS

Essential Outcomes

Proposed solutions must include:

1. External module to be deployed at the perimeter of the institution. Module to detect, identify and locate all wireless devices ;

The proposed external module solution must:

a. have an Radio Frequency (RF) sensitivity such that all cellular devices (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G) could be detected from perimeter;

b. provide unique cellular identification, ex: Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) or International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)

c. be able to geo-locate at the building level all wireless devices, devices that are communicating with devices located outside the perimeter.

2. Internal module to help facilitate search and retrieve operations of wireless devices located within building of an institution;

The proposed internal module solution must:

a. be portable to facilitate quick and easy internal deployment;

b. be a wireless module with a battery autonomy of about one month;

c. be able to detect and locate wireless devices at the cell level, meaning with 3 meters or better accuracies;

d. provide unique device identification such that two RF devices can’t be confused during localisation activities, for example providing unique identification: TMSI for Cellular, Mac for WIFI, etc.

3. Modules that are upgradable in order to address future wireless communication protocol changes without requiring complete or significant replacement of hardware; and

4. Features enabling to ignore authorized wireless devices communication, for example: Cellular, WIFI, P25, etc.

Additional Outcomes

Proposed solutions should:

1. Be affordable: eventual sales price, including installation, should be less than $250,000.00 per institution to allow for deployment through all Correctional Service Canada institutions.

Considerations

• Software Defined Radio with open source software allows for the creation of a cellular network (eg. 3G LTE);
• Certain cellphones have the capability of selecting any base-station in the region;
• There are various cellular standards used in Canada: Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc;
• Carriers keep expanding their access to frequency bands (licensed and unlicensed);
• Most Wireless Service Providers (WSPs) are now allowing cellphones to access their network via WIFI, enabling authorized cellular devices to turn on WIFI hot-spot;
• Directional antennas could enable connectivity via blue-tooth and WIFI to external network outside the institution;
• Current search and retrieve technology of unauthorized wireless devices is expensive and often unsuccessful; and
• Wireless technology for devices is constantly evolving (size, complexity, technology, etc.)

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Current interdiction methods: jamming/blocking, Grabbing/Managed Access System (MAS), search and retrieve, have not proven to be successful to date at CSC.

A report from California Council on Science and Technology dated May 2012 concluded that Managed Access System (MAS) Technology is Not Yet Proven for Prison Environment and alternative options for mitigating Contraband Cell Phones should be considered. https://ccst.us/publications/2012/2012cell.pdf

In the UK in 2012 legislation permitting the use of "signal-denying" technology was introduced but problems persist and are getting worse. http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8160/CBP-8160.pdf

A rule change request was proposed and published by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 2, 2017. The Commission proposed to require Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) licensees to terminate service to detected contraband wireless devices within correctional facilities. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-343732A1.pdf

ENQUIRIES

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to TPSGC.SIC-ISC.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca no later than ten calendar days before the Challenge Notice closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.