Breaking the ice – ground solutions for removing frozen contaminants from aircraft

UPDATES

August 16, 2019

The closing date for this Challenge has been extended to September 12, 2019 at 14:00 EDT.

July 12, 2019

We have made changes and improvements since Calls 001 and 002, so please read all documents prior to submission.

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This Challenge notice is issued under the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program Call for Proposals (CFP) Call 003 (W7714-196962).

Please refer to the main solicitation documents which contain the process for submitting a proposal.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Read the Challenge notice in its entirety.

Step 2: Read the Call for Proposals (CFP) and any associated attachments.

Step 3: Download and complete Attachment 1 – Electronic Proposal Submission Form, found below. Attachment 2 contains instructions on how to download and open the form.

Step 4: Follow the submission instructions listed in Part 2 – Bidder Instructions of the CFP. Please allow sufficient time to register and submit the completed form before the Challenge closing date.

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MAXIMUM FUNDING AND PERFORMANCE PERIOD

Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.

The individual maximum contract funding available under Competitive Projects - Component 1a is up to $200,000 CAD (excluding applicable taxes) for a maximum performance period of up to 6 months.

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

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CHALLENGE DETAILS

Challenge Title

Breaking the ice – ground solutions for removing frozen contaminants from aircraft

Challenge Statement

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are looking for rapid and cost-effective ground solutions for removing frozen contaminants from critical aircraft surfaces and once completed, reliably inspecting those surfaces just prior to take-off.

Background and Context

The accumulation of frost, snow and ice on critical aircraft surfaces (e.g., wing, rotor, aileron, rudder, stabilisers) pose considerable risks. For example, ice will alter the airflow over the wing and tail, which reduces the lift force that keeps a plane in the air and can cause a stall – a temporary, or permanent, loss of control of the aircraft which can lead to fatality. Snow and ice also adds excessive weight to an aircraft that reduces flight performance and when unaccounted for, results in hazardous flight operations.

To remediate ice build-up on the ground, products and procedures have been developed to remove, and to a certain extent prevent, snow and ice accumulation on aircraft. Ground procedures consist of spaying a de-icing and/or anti-icing fluid on the aircraft minutes before takeoff followed by a mandatory inspection to ensure that all frozen contaminants have been removed from the critical surfaces. Currently, the only approved and reliable method of verifying that snow and ice has been safely removed is for personnel to conduct a close visual inspection, ideally accompanied by a physical touch (i.e., “tactile check”) of aircraft surfaces.

De-icing/anti-icing fluid is very costly, not all airports have the required capabilities, and the entire process is time consuming. It is also extremely difficult to determine with certainty that aircraft surfaces have been cleared of all frozen contaminants following the procedure. Problem areas can be missed when relying solely on the visual detection of residual contamination.

Desired Outcomes

The DND/CAF is looking for innovative solutions to address one or more of the following;

• Reducing the time needed for ground procedures for de-icing/anti-icing aircraft surfaces;
• Reducing the cost associated with using de-icing/anti-icing products, where applicable;
• Quickly and reliably certifying that critical aircraft surfaces are free of frozen contaminants;

Supplemental Information

Currently, only certain airports have de-icing/anti-icing capabilities. Innovators should consider solutions that are not predicated on the need for other expensive airport capabilities.

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ENQUIRIES

All Challenge-related enquiries must be submitted in writing to:

TPSGC.PAIDEES-APIDEAS.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Enquiries must be submitted no later than 10 calendar days before the Challenge notice closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.

For more information about the IDEaS program, Bidders can visit the IDEaS website.