Energy Producing Window Coverings

** NEW - MAY 14, 2020

• An attachment has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Challenge.

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May 8, 2020

New attachment has been added. Please read the document as it provides important information pertaining to the submission of your proposal.

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April 14, 2020

Due to the issues surrounding COVID19, we have decided to extend the solicitation closing date until May 19, 2020.

This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) Call for Proposals 003 (EN578-20ISC3). For general ISC information, Bidders can visit the ISC website.

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 here

Challenge Title: Energy Producing Window Coverings

CHALLENGE SPONSOR: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

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 $100,000.00 CAD excluding applicable taxes, shipping, travel and living expenses, as required, for up to 6 months (excluding submission of the final report).

Estimated number of Phase 1 contracts: 2

The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 contract resulting from this Challenge is $200,000.00 CAD excluding applicable taxes, shipping, travel and living expenses, as required, for up to 12 months (excluding submission of the final report). Only eligible businesses that have successfully completed Phase 1 will be considered for Phase 2.

Estimated number of Phase 2 contracts: 1

This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding. Final decisions on the number of Phase 1 and Phase 2 awards will be made by Canada on the basis of factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities and availability of funds.

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

Kick-off meeting

Ottawa, ON

Final Review Meeting

Ottawa, ON

Problem Summary Statement

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is seeking a window covering that, as well as reducing glare, will contribute to greater energy efficiency and convert solar energy to usable electrical energy.

Problem Statement

The challenge that GAC is facing as a department is shared by all federal departments. Under the 2019-2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), all departments are challenged with reducing GHG emissions and converting to clean energy (clean power generation and energy efficiency). GAC believes that window treatments can be designed to reduce glare, reduce heat gain in summer, reduce heat loss in winter (which will in turn reduce GHG emissions produced through heating and cooling) and, at the same time, could produce clean energy (by converting solar energy to electrical energy), bringing GAC closer to the FSDS goals.

Outcomes and Considerations

Essential (Mandatory) Outcomes

Proposed solutions must:

1. be functional in the temperature range of 35 degrees Celsius above zero to minus 35 degrees Celsius below zero, if an exterior product. Alternatively, it can be an interior product.
2. provide a minimum R-value of 3 
3. be able to reduce heat gain by a minimum of 65%
4. be able to reduce heat loss by a minimum of 30%
5. convert solar energy to usable electrical energy
6. reduce glare by 80% or more
7. be durable
8. be easy to operate
9. be cost effective (any additional cost is offset by energy production and savings within the first 5 years)
10. be practical (not significantly bulkier than existing solar blinds) 

Background and Context

Global Affairs Canada is undergoing a renovation of one of its premises. This is an opportunity to upgrade the window coverings to a product that does more than what is currently installed. Currently, there are vertical blinds and solar blinds. GAC is looking for a similar product that can prevent glare, heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter while also converting solar power to electricity. Under the Greening Government Strategy, and the FSDS, government departments are required to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and become more energy efficient. GAC found that an Ottawa based company has a product that is excellent for reducing heating and cooling needs, but does not produce electrical energy. A company in the Ukraine produces blinds that convert solar energy to electrical energy, and help to reduce heating and cooling, but are not suitable for the climate in the National Capital Region. They are exterior blinds that do not function below -20 degrees Celsius. This makes the product from the Ukraine unsuitable for the climate in Ottawa. There is currently no product on the market that meets all of GAC's criteria.Greening Government Strategy: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/innovation/greening-government/strategy.html Federal Sustainable Development Strategy: https://www.fsds-sfdd.ca/index.html#/en/goals/

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.