Inclusive Respirator

*** NEW – June 1, 2021

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

*Please note the ISC Website will be available on April 28, 2021 at 14:00 EDT

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: Inclusive Respirator

CHALLENGE SPONSOR: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

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.

Estimated number of Phase 1 contracts: 2

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. Only eligible businesses that have completed Phase 1 could 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

Not anticipated, but may be necessary as part of development.

Kick-off meeting

Teleconference/videoconference

Progress review meeting(s)

Teleconference/videoconference

Final review meeting

Teleconference/videoconference

All other communication can take place by telephone, videoconference, and WebEx.

Problem Statement

Respiratory protection for persons with facial hair remains a significant challenge given the current legislative requirements in Canada, and current commercially available respirator options. As per current legislative requirements, the vast majority of respirators on the market are designed to be worn on clean-shaven faces, with no equivalent alternative for those with facial hair. Further, respirator options that are marketed to work with facial hair, are generally not suitable for police work, as there are many features that can adversely impact critical police functions. In the policing environment, officers are often required to respond to complex and dynamic events, some of which may require respiratory protection from a number of different hazards. It is impossible to prepare for all situations that a police officer may be required to respond to, thus it is critical that police officers with facial hair have access to a respiratory protective device.

Desired outcomes and considerations

Essential (mandatory) Outcomes

The solution must:

1. The respirator must, at minimum, have NIOSH (42 CFR 84) approval as an air-purifying particulate respirator, when affixed with a P100 air-purifying element (cartridge or canister).
2. This face piece must be re-usable and air-purifying elements must be replaceable. For example but not limited to a washable face piece; capable of UV sterilization.
3. The respirator and its components must demonstrate an ability to integrate with operational equipment worn by front line officers and must not introduce new hazards to the work environment. An example of equipment worn is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, baton, taser, handcuffs, service pistol, magazine pouch and soft body armour.
4. The respirator design, performance, and function must adhere to the requirements of Canadian Standard Association (CSA) Standard Z94.4-18 – Selection, Use and Care of Respirators. https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/CAN%25100CSA-Z94.4-18/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0JXrocvf7gIVi8aGCh2R9g7REAAYASAAEgJCNfD_BwE 
5. The respirator must not weigh more than a combined total of 1 Kg (mask and cartridge together).
6. The respirator must be portable and have appropriate transportation options such as carrying case or bag and associated fastening options such as clips or straps so that an officer can carry this equipment on their person without interfering with police tools and communications equipment.

Additional Outcomes

The solution should:

1. Provide ocular protection (full-face), in addition to respiratory protection. 
2. Meet additional NIOSH requirements, as per 42 CFR 84, such as Subpart I – Gas Masks or Subpart L – Chemical Cartridge Respirators.
3. Have NIOSH approval as an Air-Purifying Respirator with CBRN Protection.
4. Can utilize various air-purifying elements for specific hazards, such as riot control agents (CS/CN gas), organic vapours, acid gases, ammonia, etc.

Background and Context

In March 2020, COVID-19 related direction was issued advising uniformed employees to report for work clean-shaven, regardless of business line, role or region. This was due to the exceptional nature of the pandemic. Little was known about the spread of the virus and this direction was in order to protect employees and communities. First responders manage exposure to infectious bodily fluids with medical grade PPE (medical mask, safety glasses, face shields, gloves), and/or RCMP-issued respirators.

This innovation challenge presents a unique, global leadership opportunity to address design limitations of life saving equipment, and allow for a barrier-free workplace for existing and aspiring front-line and emergency responders. Viable, inclusively designed respirators are required for Enforcement departments that are subject to the Canadian Labour Code (Canadian Border Services Agency, Correctional Services Canada, Canada Coast Guard, Parks Canada, etc). These agencies, like the RCMP, may be exposed to a wide variety of respiratory hazards through the course of their duties. These can include CBRN terrorism, illicit narcotics, toxic industrial chemicals, riot control agents, or bioaerosols. Having a broad range of inclusive respiratory protection options such as disposable filtering face pieces, half and full face air-purifying respirators, and powered air-purifying respirators, will greatly enhance public safety in Canada, and most importantly promote an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Additional Information:

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety on Personal Protective Equipment: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/respslct.html?=undefined&wbdisable=true

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Personal Protective Technology Program: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/ptprogram.html

Canadian Labour Code – Respiratory Protection Requirements for Federal Employees: Section 12.13(1) – 4: https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-86-304/page-35.html#h-895137

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.