Keeping Cell Phones Secure on Untrusted Networks

UPDATES

August 26, 2019

Updates were made to the form “Attachment 1 – Electronic Proposal Submission Form”. Bidders are to use the “Attachment 1 – Electronic Proposal Submission Form_Rev_01” document for proposal submission.

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INTRODUCTION

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.

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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. If you have technical difficulties downloading the form, please see Attachment 2 – Important Information below.

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 tender notice closing date.

Requests to open an epost Connect Conversation are to be sent to DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca with the bid solicitation number at least five business days prior to the closing date of the Challenge tender notice. Follow the instructions that will be provided by email and submit your Electronic Proposal Submission Form by using the opened epost Connect Conversation.

Important: To avoid last minute technical difficulties, that could delay your submission, ensure that Part 2 – Bidder Instructions and Part 3 – Proposal Preparation Instructions are followed carefully. Late submissions will not be accepted.

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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 Statement

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are looking for innovative solutions to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of private and sensitive information associated with the use of smart mobile devices.

Background and Context

Smart mobile devices are now ubiquitous. In the last 40 years, personal computers, wired and wireless networking, pagers, cellular phones, and the internet, have revolutionized the way people communicate, share information, collaborate, and conduct business. With current 4G and 5G technology and the latest smart devices, the real and online world have converged more than ever. While this convergence enables the exchange of real-time information anywhere, anytime, in various forms and fidelity, it also potentially exposes the individual’s privacy and their personal information to others.

The focus of this Challenge is to permit users to continue to leverage the full power of smart mobile devices to conduct business in the office and on the move, while minimizing the risk to their privacy and to sensitive information. When using these untrusted networks, the challenge is to maintain the anonymity of the person and their device and be aware of the integrity of their network connection.

Desired Outcomes

Innovative concepts, designs, or technologies to mitigate risk to confidentiality and integrity when exchanging private and sensitive information using smart mobile devices (mainly smart phones) on untrusted networks (cellular, WiFi, or wired) are sought, including but not limited to:

• Means to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information exchanged;
• Means to increase anonymity of smart mobile devices on untrusted networks;
• Means to increase anonymity of individuals (e.g., physical identity and location as well as identity, footprint, behavioral pattern, etc.) when using smart mobile devices; and/or
• Means to detect man-in-the-middle attacks and other threats to the integrity of the network connection on untrusted networks.

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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.