Request for Information - Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program – Classified Stream Call for Proposals (CFP)

IMPORTANT

Canada will not be initiating the sponsorship process for suppliers at the RFI stage.

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UPDATES

February 18, 2021

Attachment 1 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the RFI. The important note above has also been added for supplier awareness.

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BACKGROUND

The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program was announced in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged and launched in 2018 to invest $1.6 billion over the next 20 years to access the expertise and solutions from the Canadian innovation ecosystem. The program provides Canadian innovators (from small to large enterprises, academia, non-for profit organisation, Universities, etc.) with a structure and support to encourage solutions for Canada’s toughest defence and security challenges.

IDEaS supports the development of solutions from their conceptual stage, through prototype testing and capability development. The program’s goal is to access new defence and security solutions from Canadian innovators for the benefit of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). To date, more than $140M have been invested in solutions through the program.

PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the Department of National Defence’s (DND) Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, to seek industry feedback on the potential development of a classified stream Call for Proposals (CFP).

DND/CAF recognizes that some of the largest and most challenging defence and security issues are classified in nature, and that defence technologies will increasingly be needed from sectors dealing with information and communication, cyber, and other emerging sensory and data processing technologies and software.

DND/CAF are seeking innovative science and technology (S&T) solutions to Canada’s classified defence and security Challenges through a classified Call for Proposals. Classified challenges will have a Secret security designation. DND/CAF will support Challenges under the Classified Stream to increase the base of suppliers with classified capabilities to DND, and to address topics specifically linked to the mission of DND/CAF. The Classified Stream will enable the possibility to share secure information about classified Challenges so that tailored solutions may be proposed.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this RFI are as follows:

1. Engage industry in order to provide them with an opportunity to review the proposed classified stream procurement strategy and assess which scenario for consideration best suits their needs;
2. Determine the current interest and capacity within the supplier community; and
3. Provide industry with an opportunity to respond to questions in an effort to help Canada create an effective path forward in the establishment of a classified stream CFP that meets industry’s capability to deliver innovative solutions, and is inclusive of external and departmental objectives.

NATURE OF THIS RFI

This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Request for Proposal (RFP). No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI, it is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry. Therefore, potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI.

Participation in this RFI is encouraged, but is not mandatory. Similarly, participation in this RFI is not required for the participation in any potential subsequent solicitation.

There will be no supplier list created as a result of this RFI. Therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future requirements. Also, the procurement of any of the goods or services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry with respect to its contents.

Nothing in this RFI shall be construed as a commitment from Canada to issue any subsequent solicitation.

Canada also reserves the right to revise its procurement approach, as it considers appropriate, either based on information submitted in response to this RFI or for any other reason it deems appropriate.

FORMAT OF RESPONSES

Interested respondents are invited to review the questions below and submit their responses by using the fillable PDF version of Annex A provided as an attachment to this to the PWGSC Contracting Authority.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.

If you have technical difficulties downloading and opening the form, please follow the instructions of the attachment called Downloading and opening fillable PDF file, found at the bottom of this RFI.

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ENQUIRIES

Interested suppliers must note that all communication pertaining to the subject matter of this RFI must exclusively be directed to the PWGSC Contracting Authority. Interested suppliers must refrain from communicating directly with DND or with other Government of Canada representatives, regarding any aspect of this procurement process, including the subject matter described herein.

PWGSC Contracting Authority:
Defence Sciences Division
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Email: TPSGC.PAIDEES-APIDEAS.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Canada may publish a summary of feedback received from suppliers in response of this RFI on www.buyandsell.gc.ca

For more information on the IDEaS program, suppliers can visit the IDEaS website.