Call for Proposals (B4) Innovative Solutions Canada EN578-22ISC8

Amendment 002 to the Notice of Proposed Procurement (NPP)

This amendment is raised to extend the closing date of the solicitation from July 6, 2022 at 14:00 EDT to July 13, 2022 at 14:00 EDT.

Amendment 001 to the Notice of Proposed Procurement (NPP)

This amendment is raised to modify the solicitation documents as follows:

1. Delete the COVID-19 vaccination requirement in Part 1 of the Call for Proposals;

2. Delete the COVID-19 vaccination requirement certification in Appendix 4 Certifications and Additional Information; and

3. Delete the Annex A –COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Certification from Appendix 4 Certifications and Additional Information.

1. At Part 1- General Information of the Call for Proposals document:

DELETE: In its entirety

1.5 COVID-19 vaccination requirement A3080T (2021-11-29)

This requirement is subject to the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Supplier Personnel. Failure to complete and provide the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Certification as part of the bid will render the bid non-responsive.

2. At Appendix 4 Certifications and Additional Information:

DELETE: in its entirety

1 COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Certification

In accordance with the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Supplier Personnel, all Bidders must provide with their bid, the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Certification attached to this bid solicitation as Annex A, to be given further consideration in this procurement process. This Certification incorporated into the bid solicitation on its closing date is incorporated into, and forms a binding part of any resulting Contract.

3. At Appendix 4 Certifications and Additional Information, Annex A –COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Certification

DELETE: In its entirety

I, ____________________________________ (first and last name), as the representative of ____________________________________ (name of business) pursuant to ___________________________________ (insert solicitation number), warrant and certify that all personnel that ____________________________________ (name of business) will provide on the resulting Contract who access federal government workplaces where they may come into contact with public servants will be:

a. fully vaccinated against COVID-19;

b. for personnel that are unable to be vaccinated due to a certified medical contraindication, religion or other prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, subject to accommodation and mitigation measures that have been presented to and approved by Canada; or

c. partially vaccinated against COVID-19 for a period of up to 10 weeks from the date of their first dose and subject to temporary measures that have been presented to and approved by Canada, immediately after which period the personnel will meet the conditions of (a) or (b) or will no longer access federal government workplaces where they may come into contact with public servants under this Contract;

until such time that Canada indicates that the vaccination requirements of the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Supplier Personnel are no longer in effect.

I certify that all personnel provided by ____________________________________ (name of business) have been notified of the vaccination requirements of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Supplier Personnel, and that the ____________________________________ (name of business) has certified to their compliance with this requirement.

I certify that the information provided is true as of the date indicated below and will continue to be true for the duration of the Contract. I understand that the certifications provided to Canada are subject to verification at all times. I also understand that Canada will declare a contractor in default, if a certification is found to be untrue, whether made knowingly or unknowingly, during the bid or contract period. Canada reserves the right to ask for additional information to verify the certifications. Failure to comply with any request or requirement imposed by Canada will constitute a default under the Contract.

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: ____________________________________

Optional

For data purposes only, initial below if your business already has its own mandatory vaccination policy or requirements for employees in place. Initialing below is not a substitute for completing the mandatory certification above.

Initials: __________________

Information you provide on this Certification Form and in accordance with the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Supplier Personnel will be protected, used, stored and disclosed in accordance with the Privacy Act. Please note that you have a right to access and correct any information on your file, and you have a right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner regarding the handling of your personal information. These rights also apply to all individuals who are deemed to be personnel for the purpose for the Contract and who require access to federal government workplaces where they may come into contact with public servants.

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Notice of Proposed Procurement (NPP)

Demand Call for Proposals EN578-22ISC8 (B4)

Requirement:

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is publishing a Demand Call for Proposals (CFP) (Demand CFP), on behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), seeking innovative solutions to leverage Quantum Technology to address operational requirements.

More specifically, ISED is seeking solutions in the Quantum Technology field to address the following Departmental Demands:

• Quantum Computing;
• Quantum Sensing; and
• Quantum Communications.

The purpose of this CFP is to create a pool of pre-qualified proposals that the ISC and participating departments may select from to address their operational requirements.

Details related to each Problem Statement are outlined further below.

SOLICITATION PERIOD: From June 15, 2022 to July 6, 2022

Please refer to the solicitation documents for information related to Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions, Evaluation Procedures and Basis of Selection.

Canadian content: This requirement is solely limited to Canadian goods and/or services.

Trade Agreements: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) applies to this procurement

Testing Departments: Federal Government Organizations

Funding Mechanism: Contract

MAXIMUM FUNDING: The maximum funding available for all Contracts resulting from this Call for Proposals is: $1M

Multiple contracts could result from this requirement.

Maximum Contract Value: $1,150,000 CAD, applicable taxes, shipping, and travel and living expenses are extra, as applicable. 

This estimated funding is not a contract guarantee. Disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to award a contract, or to contract for the total estimated funding.

Should fiscal funding no longer be available, Bidders will be notified directly and a notice will be published on the Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS). The Contract Award Process will continue and proposals under contract negotiations will take priority when funding is available.

Frequently asked questions, as well as on-going Bidder questions will be answered and published in an amendment to the Testing Stream Notice Document.

ENQUIRIES

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to: TPSGC.PASICVoletessai-APISCTestingStream.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca no later than five calendar days before the Notice closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.

DETAILS OF EACH Problem Statement:

1. ISC THEMATIC AREA: Quantum

TOPIC: Quantum Computing

Problem Statement:

Quantum technologies are at the cutting edge of science and innovation, both in Canada and worldwide. As an enabling platform, quantum is leading to a new suite of technologies in computing, sensors, secure communications and advanced materials. These technologies will support the growth of key sectors such as computing, communications, health care, transportation logistics, navigation and cybersecurity. 

While quantum computing is still in its infancy as a field and awaiting readiness for practical applications, quantum hardware companies are currently trying to scale up their quantum computers and include enough qubits to reach quantum advantage. The Government of Canada (GoC) faces a challenge in being “quantum ready” to leverage technologies as they are developed to commercial readiness. ISC is soliciting proposals calling for a variety of quantum computing hardware and software solutions that can help improve departments’ existing quantum computing stack and better prepare the GoC for the eventual integration of quantum computing solutions into its operations. 

Definitions

Quantum computing stack: The quantum computing stack is everything that lies between a user and the physical qubits. The stack needs to perform essential functions; for instance, it must facilitate user interaction, turn inputs into hardware manipulation, and correct for numerous error sources.

Quantum Computer: A quantum computer is any device for computation that makes direct use of distinctively quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. A functional quantum computer requires the holding of an object in a superposition state long enough to carry out various processes on it.

Quantum Software: Any programs or applications capable of running on a quantum computer.

Outcomes (Innovations must meet at least ONE outcome to qualify under SC4 and up to FOUR to score full points under PR7)

• Quantum Technologies or components with the potential for eventual application in any one or all of the following fields: defence, energy, pharmaceutical, chemical, advanced industries (automotive, aerospace, electronics, superconductors), finance, or transport and logistics.
• Quantum computing hardware, software, or supporting equipment that is in the prototype stage and ready for operational testing using commercially available infrastructure.
• Hardware solutions including but not limited to Qubit hardware and gating technology; Quantum firmware; Hardware-aware quantum compilers / transpilers; Multi-quantum computing hardware platforms; and Logical-level compilation and circuit optimization technologies.
• Software solutions including but not limited to Quantum algorithms and quantum error correction applications; User interface solutions; QAAS; and operating systems.
• Quantum Resource Estimation (QRE) solutions to assess the size and type of a quantum computer that would be needed with specified performance criteria (run-time). QRE solutions must be configurable to accommodate a range of quantum computing architectures and other assumptions to optimize quantum stacks.
• Solutions that account for part or all of the quantum computing stack.
• Quantum enabling technologies such as quantum random number generators and components to support in the deployment of quantum technologies.

ISC will NOT Accept (Out of Scope):

• Quantum Key Distribution solutions

2. ISC THEMATIC AREA: Quantum

TOPIC: Quantum Sensing

Problem Statement:

Quantum technologies are at the cutting edge of science and innovation, both in Canada and worldwide. As an enabling platform, quantum is leading to a new suite of technologies in computing, sensors, secure communications and advanced materials. These technologies will support the growth of key sectors such as computing, communications, health care, transportation, logistics, navigation and aerospace. 

Quantum sensing technologies are of particular interest to the Government of Canada (GoC) in a range of theatres. There is interest in high-resolution imaging applications in a variety of theatres such as health and pharmaceutical, mining, and aviation and aerospace. The Government of Canada is interested in leveraging the recent advances in increased sensitivity and decreased costs of magnetic sensors, to enhance the magnetic sensing capabilities within the GoC. The Government of Canada are also interested in both short-range and long-range navigation tools in GPS-denied environments. While quantum radar is at this point principally a speculative technology, we are also interested in testing the components that could one day bring the technology from concept to application.

Overall, the limits of quantum sensing and metrology become overlooked as we are seeing quantum sensing technologies in the higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). The GoC faces a challenge in understanding these limits to inform quantum sensor developments. This in turn contributes to the limited exploration and development of quantum sensing technologies for its applications in medical, aerospace, mining, navigation, meteorological, chemistry, and smart materials and technologies. ISC is soliciting proposals in search of a variety of quantum solutions that can assist the GoC in the development and eventual application of quantum sensing technologies within its operations.

Definitions

Quantum sensors: A quantum-enabled technology used to measure a physical quantity, relying on either:

1) quantum-level measurement (e.g. single-photon detection);

2) quantized systems, (e.g. as atomic systems);

3) quantum coherence (e.g. quantum interference); or

4) quantum entanglement (non-local or strong correlations).

Quantities of interest include electric or magnetic fields, precise timing, temperature, and chemical or biological processes.

Quantum Radar: There are many proposed protocols to leverage quantum effects to provide advantages in imaging over traditional radar in high noise or stealth environments. Ultimately, ISC wants to explore the ability to achieve an effective range of 1km to 10km to detect a variety of objects. Additionally, remote quantum sensing for ranged chemical detection is of interest. If proposing a quantum radar technology or component, it is not necessary for suppliers to propose a complete quantum radar system.

Quantum magnetometers: An instrument for measuring the intensity and/or direction of magnetic fields, by utilizing quantum phenomena. Quantum magnetometers are used primarily to measure the intensity and/or direction of weak magnetic fields, particularly the earth’s magnetic field and its anomalies, both on the surface and at great altitudes, and also to measure the magnetic fields of planets within our solar system and in outer space. They are also used in prospecting for minerals, for magnetic core sampling, and in searching for sunken vessels.

Outcomes (Innovations must meet at least ONE outcome to qualify under SC4 and up to FOUR to score full points under PR7)

• Quantum technologies or components with potential for eventual application in any one or all of the following fields: defence, public safety, mining, navigation, weather forecasting and environmental, healthcare, pharmaceutical, chemical, and/or advanced manufacturing industries (automotive, aerospace, electronics, superconductors).
• Quantum sensing hardware, software or supporting equipment that is in the prototype stage and ready for operational testing using commercially available infrastructure.
• Hardware solutions including but not limited to quantum sensors; superconducting quantum circuits and CQED solutions.
• Quantum radar software or hardware components including but not limited to microwave photon detectors, microwave entangled photon sources, photon imaging and lidar technologies, and quantum active and passive sensing technologies. 
• Quantum-enhanced magnetometers to detect underwater objects from the air and underwater, and to map surface magnetic fields. This includes technologies for submarine detection and underwater warfare using magnetic sensing.
• Quantum enabling technologies such as cryogenic refrigeration technology and single-photon spectrometers.
• Inertial navigation sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes enhanced using quantum technologies to lower the cost, size, weight and power and increase performance.

ISC will NOT Accept (Out of Scope):

• Post-quantum cryptography or quantum-safe communication solutions.
• Quantum key distribution (QKD) solutions.

3. ISC THEMATIC AREA: Quantum

TOPIC: Quantum Communications

Problem Statement:

Quantum technologies are at the cutting edge of science and innovation, both in Canada and worldwide. As an enabling platform, quantum is leading to a new suite of technologies in computing, sensors, secure communications and advanced materials. These technologies will support the growth of key sectors such as computing, communications, security, transportation, aviation and logistics.

Quantum communications technologies are of particular interest to the Government of Canada (GoC) in a range of theatres from military and secure communications, to communications related to Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), to quantum information distribution and management. Long-distance communication is hindered by the effects of signal loss and decoherence inherent to most transport mediums such as optical fiber or through the atmosphere. In classic communications, amplifiers can be used to boost the signal during transmission, but in a quantum network amplifiers cannot be used since qubits cannot be copied. ISC is soliciting proposals seeking a variety of quantum solutions that can assist the GoC in the development and eventual application of quantum communications technologies.

Definitions

Quantum repeater: A true quantum repeater allows for the end-to-end generation of quantum entanglement, and by using quantum teleportation, allows for the end-to-end transmission of qubits. In quantum key distribution protocols, one can test for such entanglement.
QKD: Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a secure communication method for distributing encryption keys only known between shared parties. The communication method uses properties found in quantum physics to exchange cryptographic keys in such a way that is provable and theoretically secure.

Outcomes (Innovations must meet at least ONE outcome to qualify under SC4 and up to FOUR to score full points under PR7)

• Quantum Technologies or components with the potential for eventual application in any of the following fields: defence, telecom, aviation, finance, energy, or advanced manufacturing.
• Quantum communications hardware, software or supporting equipment that is in the prototype stage and ready for testing, using commercially available infrastructure.
• Quantum communications hardware with high rate quantum light sources such as weak coherent pulsed sources, or entangled photon sources, or a single photon source.
• Hardware solutions including quantum transducers (frequency converters).
• Quantum enabling technologies, electronic and detection components, such as non-photonics-based enabling tech and components to support in the deployment of quantum communications technologies.
• QKD solutions and quantum encryptions solutions (EXCLUDING post-quantum cryptography solutions).
• Quantum Repeaters or quantum memory solutions.
• Error correction solutions that account for both loss and operational errors in quantum communications.

ISC will NOT Accept (Out of Scope):

• Post-quantum cryptography components or solutions.