Tech & Engin Support for EO Systems

Trade Agreement: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Tendering Procedures: The bidder must supply Canadian goods and/or services
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall  Proposal
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 

Background/History

The Canadian Forces (CF) must regularly select equipment to support operations. Sensors are an integral part of the electro-optical systems used to detect and locate threats. One of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)’s mandates is to support the CF in its electro-optical system acquisition process by technically translating their operational needs, evaluating the performance of sensors currently in use, evaluating the potential of sensors from emerging technologies, analyzing options and issuing recommendations.
Sensor performance is evaluated in four ways, depending on time and objectives:

a.Laboratory characterization of basic sensor parameters via quantitative measurements;
b.Exterior testing to emulate sensor performance in conditions similar to those encountered in operation (e.g. low light, natural spectral content, difficult environment, etc.);
c.Sensor performance modelling; and
d.Laboratory application of comparative evaluation methods to measure performances similar to those encountered when operating.

Purpose

The objective of this Statement of Work is the provision of scientific and engineering services in performance prediction/characterization for EO systems covering the spectral bands ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR), including image intensifying systems (I2).  The Contractor must meet the following objectives:

1.Characterize EO sensors at the DRDC - Valcartier Research Centre laboratory;
2.Support testing to characterize the performance of sensors in the field conditions similar to those encountered in operation (e.g.: low light, natural spectral content, difficult environment, etc.);
3.Improve performance prediction tools for detection/recognition/identification (DRI) of the sensors characterized in the laboratory; and
4.Support hardware and/or software development and improvement for testing and characterization equipment.
The nature of the required services covers the tasks of the applied research program and direct tasks to support the Canadian Forces.

Scope of Work (Tasks) 

•Characterization of image intensifier tubes 
•Characterization of infrared sensors (0.9 µm to 15 µm) or their components 
•Characterization of digital vision systems or their components 
•Characterization of performance for optical components
•Characterization of sensor performance during field tests
•Performance prediction tools for detection/recognition/identification
•Hardware and/or software development and improvement for testing and characterization equipment

Additional Information 

The organization for which the services are to be rendered is Defence Research and Development Canada - Valcartier (DRDC - Valcartier).

The Contract Period is five (5) years from the date of award of the Contract.

The work will be carried out entirely on an "as and when requested basis" using a Task Authorization (TA).

A contract with Task Authorizations (TAs) is a method of supply for services under which all of the work or a portion of the work will be performed on an "as and when requested basis". Under contracts with TAs, the work to be carried out can be defined but the exact nature and timeframes of the required services, activities and deliverables will only be known as and when the service(s) will be required during the period of the contract. A TA is a structured administrative tool enabling the Crown to authorize work by a contractor on an "as and when requested" basis in accordance with the conditions of the contract. TAs are not individual contracts.

The work must be carried out on-site at DRDC Valcartier Research Centre, located at 2459 de la Bravoure Road, Québec, Qc, G3J 1X5. 

The estimated amount of available funding for this Contract is $2,000,000.00, Applicable Taxes extra. 

In accordance with clause “Minimum Work Guarantee - All the Work - Task Authorizations” of the Contract, Canada's obligation under the Contract is limited to 10% of the estimated amount of available funding specified above

Defence Research and Development Canada - Valcartier has determined that any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of the Work under the resulting contract will belong to Canada.

There are security requirements associated with this requirement. For additional information, consult Part 6 - Security, Financial and Other Requirements, and Part 7 - Resulting Contract Clauses. For more information on personnel and organization security screening or security clauses, Bidders should refer to the Industrial Security Program (ISP) of Public Works and Government Services Canada (http://ssi-iss.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/index-eng.html) website

For services requirements, Bidders in receipt of a pension or a lump sum payment must provide the required information as detailed in article 3 of Part 2 of the bid solicitation.

The requirement is limited to Canadian goods and/or services.

This procurement is subject to the Controlled Goods Program.

There is a Federal Contractors Program (FCP) for employment equity requirement associated with this procurement; see Part 5 - Certifications, Part 7 - Resulting Contract Clauses and the attachment named Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity - Certification. 

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.