Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Concept of Operations (R&D)

Trade Agreement: NONE
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Exclusive Rights
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: Yes
Vendor Name and Address: 
Arctic UAV Inc.
P.O. Box 2170
Iqaluit Nunavut
Canada
X0A0H0
Nature of Requirements: 

T8493-160018 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Concept of Operations R&D

T8493-160018
Large, Kathy
Telephone No. - (250) 216-4455
Fax No. - (250) 363-0395

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) 

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If nosupplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier. 

2. Definition of the requirement 

Transport Canada has a requirement to conduct research required for the development of the formal Concept of Operations for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the North as it prepares for the delivery of a Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV. The primary research activities over the 2 year period, will include:

a. Demonstrating and refining the technical and operational procedures for operating large UAV’s safely and efficiently in Northern Canada through UAV flight trials that will be planned and executed by the Contractor; and

b. Consulting with local and regional stakeholders to determine operational readiness of affected airports and communities to provide necessary infrastructure, skilled labour, and community support necessary for the success of the northern UAV program.

Required data deliverables are: project plans, status reports, test plans, flight test reports, operational readiness reports and concept of operations recommendation reports provided over the duration of the contract period. 

3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements) 

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements: 

-Recent experience (within the past 12 months) operating fixed-wing UAV systems in the Arctic (above 60 degrees North latitude). 
- Transport Canada Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC) to operate UAV’s in the Canadian Arctic.
- A minimum of 4pilots with professional UAV Operators training that complies with Transport Canada guidelines for professional UAV pilots.
- A minimum of 4 UAV pilots holding a Radio Operator’s Certificate (aeronautical) that complies with Industry Canada requirements fortwo-way VHF radio communications with Air Traffic Control agencies.
- A minimum $2M liability insurance for company UAV’s and pilots.
- A minimum of 1 full-time technician with previous experience conducting routine maintenance on UAV’s and sensor payloads.
- Operations staff with an expert knowledge of the local weather, topography and air traffic procedures germane to the proposed area of operations. 
- Personnel with previous experience collecting and interpreting data and imagery from UAV sensor payloads. 
- A thorough understanding of regional and local government processes, and established relationships with local airport authorities and community organizations with proven experience in an arctic environment.
- Access to a UAV with a minimum endurance of 6 hours, a minimum payload capacity of 25 kg and a minimum operational range of 200 nautical miles.

4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement 

N/A

5. Set-aside under the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business 

N/A

6. Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement

This procurement is subject to Article 24 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. 

7. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 

Arctic UAV is the only identified supplier of long range UAV’s with operational experience and knowledge of the Canadian Arctic region and that meets the Statement of Capabilities as identified above.  Secondly, ArcticUAV Ltd and its affiliates have no connections to any firm who may wish to submit a proposal to supply systems in response to the Request for Proposal for the Transport Canada Unmanned Aerial System for the National Aerial Surveillance Program (T8493-150035/A).  In addition, Arctic UAV is a Nunavut-based business in the Nunavut Land Claim area, thereby meeting the obligations of the Nunavut Land Claim agreement. 

8. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s) 

The following exception to the Government Contracts Regulations is invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) “only one person is capable of performing the work”. 

9. Exclusions 

This procurement is set aside from the international trade agreements under the provision each has for set asides for small and minority businesses.

10. Ownership of Intellectual Property

Canada intends to retain ownership of any Foreground Intellectual Property arising out of the proposed contract on the basis that the main purpose of the contract is to generate knowledge and information for public dissemination

11. Period of theproposed contract

The proposed contract is for a period of 2 years, from March 2017 to March 31, 2019. Two flightsper year are planned, in June and September of 2017 and again in 2018, with the option for up to two (2) additional flights during the contract period if and when required. 

12. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier 

Arctic UAV
Box 2170
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0

13. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities 

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement ofcapabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

14. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is March 9, 2017 at 2:00pm PST.

15. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 

Inquiries and statements of capabilitiesareto be directed to: 

Kathy Large
Supply Specialist
Telephone: 250-216-4455
Facsimile: 250-363-0395
E-mail: kathy.large@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca


Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile transmission, on the covering page.

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.