We are seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real life settings and address a variety of priorities within the Government of Canada.
Funding mechanism:
Contract
Opening date:
September 22, 2022
Closing date:
October 21, 2022, 14:00 Eastern Time
Overview
The Testing Stream aims to procure, test and evaluate innovative late stage pre-commercial prototypes.
The purpose of these calls for proposals (CFPs) is to create pools of conditionally qualified innovations that Canada may select from to address a broad range of the Government of Canada organizations' requirements.
Each call includes a Standard Component and Military Component:
Standard component $550,000
Military component $1,150,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria and have a prototype that can respond to one of the problems below, apply now!
Enhanced warfighting
Problem statement
It is within the mandate of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to field combat-ready defense systems which can successfully accomplish a set of concurrent operations associated with a series of mandated missions in unpredictable and complex security environments.
As the Canadian Armed Forces moves into an exciting new era of bespoke designs built to serve the current and future security interests of Canada, the future capability additions and upgrades must be optimized to keep up with the technological demands of future operations.
We invite Bidders to propose innovations that will ensure that mobility options, weapons, sensors and command systems are using appropriate technologies to assist the CAF's personnel, soldiers and missions. Mission sets of consideration include defence diplomacy, collaborating with other government departments and agencies in support of domestic defence and security, rapid provision of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peace support operations and combat operations.
The relevance of proposed innovations will be assessed according to how they address and resolve the Problem Statement above.
Definitions and requirements
ASW: Anti-Submarine Warfare
UAS: Uncrewed Aerial Systems (complete drone systems with no onboard or remote pilots or safety pilots to operate the aircraft beyond visual line of sight)
RPAS: Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems
Outcomes
- Artificial Intelligence in ASW;
- Marine, Air, and Ground warfighting tools and support capabilities;
- Autonomous Systems;
- Batteries and portable energy systems;
- Complete battery systems for different vehicle platforms that can be fully integrated;
- UAS and RPAS appropriate for deployment in active combat theatres; and
- Command and Control solutions.
ISC will not accept (out of scope)
- Incomplete systems that do not include a full technology stack. All requisite hardware and software must be appropriately integrated to qualify
- Incomplete systems that are not fully integrated into a vehicle system
Training and in-service support
Problem statement
The world is evolving and expanding at an unprecedented rate, and so too are the threats to global peace, security and stability. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is a vital instrument for the Government of Canada to participate and lead in security and stability operations around the world. In order to posture itself as a leader in defence, the CAF must prepare its members intellectually and professionally, to meet the anticipated challenges within ambiguous, dynamic and complex security environments.
What practical experience has repeatedly shown is that warfighting skills alone can't be relied upon as a condition of success. Force Posture and Readiness direction ensures force elements (individual or collective units or capabilities) are trained in accordance with established readiness levels. Readiness levels are achieved through individual training (training individual CAF members), collective training (training teams to work together) and validation activities (assessments), equipment servicing and readiness management.
The Government of Canada invites Bidders to propose innovations that can help develop, bolster, or deliver training to CAF personnel. Canada is seeking solutions that can enhance the situational awareness and operational capabilities of personnel during the performance of their duties.
The relevance of proposed innovations will be assessed according to how they address and resolve the Problem Statement above.
Outcomes
(Innovations must meet at least one of the following outcomes to meet the requirements of SC4 Evaluation Grid)
- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) based training solutions;
- Realistic simulations;
- Solutions to build training courses and materials for various branches of the CAF;
- Visualization tools to assist in job performance. This includes bridge and navigation visualization tools as well as solutions that expand situational awareness;
- E-learning solutions and innovations that enhance remote training capabilities;
- Computer simulation solutions; and
- Equipment services and maintenance solutions.
ISC will not accept (out of scope)
- Solutions that are purely meant for enhanced communications or collaboration;
- Solutions that store data outside of Canada;
- Solutions that collect and store personnel data without proven military security clearance and document safeguarding capabilities; and
- Software only solutions that require integration into existing DND infrastructure. We will accept solutions that can be programmed into hardware and purchased as a complete system.
Enhanced soldier systems
Problem statement
With the increasing pervasiveness of smart technologies, the internet of things, and new materials science across all domains, we are globally seeing a gradual evolution of core technologies into smart and next generation equivalents. This presents a huge disruption to the status quo within the military which must advance and accelerate its own reinvention in order to keep pace with a rapidly changing world.
The Government of Canada invites bidders to propose innovations that can provide the next generation of fundamental technologies and military equipment that will empower soldiers and enhance their ability to operate on the battlefield.
The relevance of proposed innovations will be assessed according to how they address and resolve the Problem Statement above.
Definitions and requirements
Military equipment: Refers to weapons, arms, military supplies, and equipment that may be readily used for military purposes, including, radar systems or military-grade transport vehicles.
Outcomes
Innovations must meet at least one of the following outcomes to meet the requirements of SC4 Evaluation Grid
- Protective equipment for personnel and vehicles;
- Portable communications devices;
- Enhanced weapons and weapons systems;
- Night vision goggles;
- Helmet development;
- Tools that can operate in all types of environments and conditions
- Field communications tools;
- Radar systems; and
- Exo-suits and other soldier enhancement apparatus.
ISC will not accept (out of scope)
- Incomplete systems that do not include a full technology stack. All requisite hardware and software must be appropriately integrated to qualify and;
- Software only solutions without the integration into associated system(s).
Smart sustain and fleet optimization
Problem statement
In response to increasingly complex security environments, effective innovation is critical to ensure DND is successful in achieving a modern and prepared Armed Forces. Assessments of the long-term future of military operating environments help to determine the likely characteristics of future conflicts, warfare, and warfighting. Future operating environment analysis accounts for both adversary and allied considerations. These assessments help to maintain a measure against which Canada must pace military capability development.
In order to keep pace with our allies and outpace our potential adversaries, while ensuring that NORAD and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commitments are met, it is imperative that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) force development and design processes are optimized for the most efficient and effective use of national resources. Modernization efforts must be undertaken concurrent to force generation and force employment on operations. There will be no pause, and efforts must be managed and prioritized, with the tempo of change being a key lever of control.
The Government of Canada wants to explore a wide variety of solutions aimed at optimizing the structure and processes across the CAF enterprise.
Definitions and requirements
NORAD: North American Aerospace Defense Command
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF): the CAF environments consist of the operational environments of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Lifecycle assessment tools: technologies that assess energy usage, toxicity, and natural resource usage across the lifecycle of a product, from the material extraction through to disposal.
Essential outcomes include
- Intelligent Vessel and Fleet Management solutions;
- Innovations that increase modular capabilities (i.e.: containerized plug and play marine solutions);
- Bridge management and navigation automation and assistance Solutions – including novel life-saving solutions (for the marine context);
- Advanced, deployable, inventory management solutions
- Lifecycle assessment Tools; and
- Autonomous/remote technician for autonomous vessels
- Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) for marine, land, air or multiple operational theatres.
- Novel corrosion/damage prevention solutions – including advanced polymers, coatings and nano-materials
- Arctic-tailored low emission vehicles including amphibious vehicles
- Smart and autonomous damage-control solutions for ships
ISC will not accept any of the following
- Communication and collaboration tools;
- Incomplete systems that do not include a full technology stack. All requisite hardware and software must be appropriately integrated to qualify; and
- Innovations which are strictly in the design phase of development with no history of successful operations.
Eligibility and evaluation
Mandatory Criteria (MC)
MC1: Canadian Bidder
The Bidder must meet the definition of a Canadian Bidder. A Canadian Bidder is defined as a Canadian person or entity submitting a proposal on its own behalf and having a place of business in Canada where the person or entity conducts activities on a permanent basis that is clearly identified by name and accessible during normal working hours.
MC2: Canadian Content
80% of the financial proposal costs, the total proposal price to Canada stated in "Section –G Financial Proposal", must be Canadian goods or Canadian services. For the complete Canadian content definition please refer to the Canadian Content Definition A3050T (2020-07-01) at Part 1, General Information, Article 1.5 of the solicitation documents:
- Solicitation for small or medium enterprises
- Solicitation for large business, not-for-profit or academic institution
MC3: Ownership
The Bidder must be the owner of the Intellectual Property (IP) for the proposed innovation, or have a licence to the IP rights from a Canadian licensor for the proposed innovation and not be infringing on any IP rights.
MC4: Problem Statement
The Bidder's proposed innovation, as described and in its intended application, must provide a relevant solution to the outcome(s) described in the selected problem statement.
MC5: Pre-Commercial Status
The proposed innovation must not be openly available in the marketplace, and must not have been previously sold on a commercial basis as of the date of this bid submission. Refer to the definitions of "Pre-Commercial Innovation and Commercial Sales" at Appendix 2 of the solicitation documents:
- Solicitation for small or medium enterprises
- Solicitation for large business, not-for-profit or academic institution
MC6: Previously Pre-qualified Innovation
The proposed innovation or any other versions of the proposed innovation must not have been previously awarded a contract in the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) or its predecessor, the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP), nor under the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) Testing Stream.
The proposed innovation or any other versions of the proposed innovation must not currently be active in a pool of pre-qualified innovations. A previously pre-qualified innovation that is proposed under the current solicitation will be accepted only once the bid validity period for that proposal has expired or the Bidder has withdrawn their innovation from the relevant pool, prior to solicitation closing date.
Bidders may submit multiple proposals, ensuring that each proposal is for a different innovation. The same or similar proposals must not be submitted for different problem statements. If the proposed innovation is similar or identical to an innovation that is currently active in a pool and has not been withdrawn prior to solicitation closing, the following assessment will be used to determine sufficient difference to proceed.
Pass | Sufficiently Different
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Fail | Not Sufficiently Different
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MC7: Maximum Funding
The Bidder's Financial Proposal must not exceed $550,000 CAD in the Standard Component, or $1,150,000 CAD in the Military Component, not including applicable taxes, shipping costs, and travel and living expenses, where applicable. Refer to Section G – Financial Proposal.
MC8: Program Eligibility
The Bidder's proposal must be aligned with the mandate of the ISC Testing Stream where Canada procures, through a Contract, the Bidder's Innovation with the purpose of testing it in an operational environment.
The following criteria only apply to small or medium enterprises
MC9: Small Business
The Bidder must be a for-profit person or entity, with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. This calculation must take into account and include affiliated businesses, such as parent companies and subsidiaries that are either in or outside of Canada.
MC10: Bidder Presence in Canada
The Bidder must meet the following minimum requirements: 50% or more of the Bidder's FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work; 50% or more of the Bidder's annual wages, salaries and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada; and 50% or more of the Bidder's senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence. These calculations must take into account and include affiliated businesses, such as parent companies and subsidiaries that are either in or outside of Canada.
Stage 1 Technical Evaluation – Screening Criteria (SC)
SC1: Innovation
The proposed innovation must meet one or more of the ISC definitions of innovation below:
- An inventionFootnote 1, new technology or new process that is not currently available in the marketplace.
- Significant modifications to the application of existing technologies/components/processes that are applied in a setting or condition for which current applications are not possible or feasible.
- An improvement in functionality, cost or performance over an existing technology/process that is considered state-of-the-art or the current industry best practice.
Pass | The proposed innovation meet one or more of the ISC definitions of innovation. |
Fail |
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SC2: Operational Readiness Validation
The Bidder must demonstrate that at the time of proposal submission, the proposed innovation is ready for testing in an operational environment, i.e. at minimum TRL 7 per the ISC Technology Readiness Level Scale.
Pass |
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Fail |
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SC3: Safety Considerations
The Bidder must demonstrate that they have obtained or possess, at the time of proposal submission, the certifications, licences, and approvals required to safely deploy the proposed innovation, and that it poses no risks to individuals or Government of Canada organizations involved in an operational demonstration.
This is to ensure that a Government of Canada organization and personnel are not exposed to safety or privacy risks during the conduct of the operational demonstration.
Pass | At the time of proposal submission:
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Fail | At the time of proposal submission:
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SC4: Scope – Outcomes
The Bidder must demonstrate that the proposed innovation provides a solution to the Problem Statement, and meets one or more of the Outcomes identified in the Problem Statement.
Pass |
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Fail |
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Stage 2 Technical Evaluation – Point-Rated Screening Criteria (PS)
PS1: Advance on State of the Art
The Bidder must demonstrate that the proposed innovation improves upon current approaches and state of the art, or current practices relevant to its purpose or application, in a manner that yields competitive advantages.
2 points |
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12 points |
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24 points Minimum |
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40 points |
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PS2: Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy
The Bidder must demonstrate a suitable Intellectual Property (IP) strategy, relevant to protect IP generated by the proposed innovation and to protect the Bidder. This criteria also assesses the degree to which the strategy is appropriate to support successful commercialization.
0 points | The Intellectual Property (IP) strategy is insufficiently rationalized or substantiated, and is poorly suited for background IP or generated IP as they pertain to the proposed innovation. |
8 points Minimum |
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12 points |
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PS3: Management Team
The Bidder must demonstrate that they have filled the key roles in the management team with individuals possessing relevant background or skill setFootnote 2, who can support the successful commercialization of the proposed innovation.
- Role A: Company leadership (e.g. CEO, or equivalent)
- Role B: Technology development (e.g. CTO, or equivalent)
- Role C: Commercialization strategy (e.g. Business Manager, or equivalent)
- Role D: Financial management (e.g. CFO, or equivalent)
0 points |
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4 points | All roles are identified and possess a background or skill set (education and/or experience) that is relevant to the company's activities or their respective fields, however gaps remain that are unmitigated and have the potential to impede commercial launch and commercial success. | ||||
8 points Minimum | All roles are identified and possess, or are supported by, a background or skill set (education and/or experience) that is relevant to the company's activities or their respective fields, and will likely enable them to reach commercial launch. | ||||
12 points | All roles are identified and possess, or are supported by, a strong background or skill set (education and/or experience) that would serve well in commercializing the proposed innovation, is clearly relevant to their respective industry, and increases the likelihood of commercial success. |
PS4: Financial Capacity
The Bidder must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources and a credible financial strategy in order to execute their commercial launch plan, without a potential ISC Testing Stream contract.
In determining the credibility of a financial strategy, evaluators consider: funding sources, the amount of secured and unsecured funds, the degree of risk, and whether these risks are reasonable or sufficiently mitigated based on the context of the sector. Credibility, potential risks, and applicability to support launch costs should also be considered.
Financial resources must demonstrate ability to commercialize the proposed innovation.
0 points |
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8 points Minimum |
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12 points | The Bidder has demonstrated they have sufficient secured funds and have a credible financial strategy to successfully commercialize the proposed innovation. |
Stage 3 Technical Evaluation – Point Rated Criteria (PR)
PR1: Innovation Benefits
This criterion is intended to assess the degree to which the proposed innovation could contribute to the positive economic development of the innovation ecosystem in Canada.
0 points | Economic benefits are not identified or are insufficient. |
4 points | Economic benefits to the innovation ecosystem in Canada are limited. |
8 points | Economic benefits to the innovation ecosystem in Canada are significant. |
PR2: Operational Demonstration Risk Mitigation Strategies
This criterion is intended to assess the degree to which the Bidder has identified all important risks in the demonstration scenario, and degree to which those risks are addressed with appropriate mitigation strategies.
0 points |
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4 points |
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8 points |
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16 points |
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PR3: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Benefits
This criterion is intended to assess the degree to which the Bidder has sufficient measures to effectively achieve and maintain diversity, inclusivity and gender equity within; their business operations, supply chain, or business ecosystem.
Score levels reflect the number of the following elements the Bidder addressed in their answer:
- Anti-discrimination policies;
- Recruitment strategy and hiring process;
- Training available to educate the Bidder's workforce on diversity and inclusion;
- How diversity and inclusion are factored into Bidder's supplier selection methods.
0 points | Policies regarding diversity, inclusivity and gender equity are not identified, are insufficient, or do not appear genuine. |
4 points | Information provided clearly demonstrates that the Bidder is implementing some measures (up to two (2) elements) to achieve and maintain diversity, inclusivity and gender equity. |
8 points | Information provided clearly demonstrates that the Bidder is implementing most measures (two (2) or more elements) to achieve and maintain diversity, inclusivity and gender equity. |
12 points | Information provided clearly demonstrates that the Bidder is implementing all measures (all four (4) elements) to achieve and maintain diversity, inclusivity and gender equity. |
PR4: Commercialization Strategy and Market Risks
This criterion is intended for the Bidder to demonstrate that they have a credible strategy to commercialize the proposed innovation, identifying market risks and providing suitable mitigation strategies for these risks.
0 points |
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8 points |
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24 points |
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32 points |
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PR5: Adoption Potential – Features & Benefits, Target Market
This criterion is intended to assess to what degree the proposed innovation's features and benefits are attractive to the relevant target market.
0 points |
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4 points |
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8 points |
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16 points |
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PR6: Adoption Potential – Cost to End User
This criterion is intended to assess to what degree the cost of the proposed innovation and the efforts required to adopt it are attractive and relevant for the target market.
The acquisition costs of the proposed innovation include the intended market price, the organizational impact, time and resources required for training and installation, and other direct costs for target market end-user (the customer) to acquire the proposed innovation.
0 points | In relation to the acquisition cost and key features and benefits, an unacceptable amount of time and resources are required for the end user to adopt the proposed innovation. |
4 points | In relation to the acquisition cost and key features and benefits, a significant amount of time and resources are required for the end user to adopt the proposed innovation. |
8 points | In relation to the acquisition cost and key features and benefits, a reasonable amount of time and resources are required for the end user to adopt the proposed innovation. |
16 points | In relation to the acquisition cost and key features and benefits, virtually no time and resources are required for the end user to adopt the proposed innovation. |
This criterion is intended to assess the degree to which the Bidder meets the Outcomes identified in the Problem Statement.
Maximum available points from Stage 2 & Stage 3 : 176 points
Minimum Total ScoreFootnote 3 from Stage 2 & Stage 3 to pre-qualify: 106 points
Pathway to commercialization
Enabling the Government of Canada to buy what it tries – a Pathway to Commercialization for eligible Canadian SMEs
Our new pilot project gives small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to sell your innovation directly to the Government of Canada without competing.
Through the Pathway to Commercialization under ISC's Testing Stream, eligible SMEs can receive commercial contracts based on the successful testing and market-readiness of your pre-commercial prototype. It is important to note that this pathway will only be available to eligible Canadian SMEs, which represent over 97% of all businesses in Canada, a percentage that mirrors past participation in the program.
How will it work?
- Once your initial ISC testing contract is completed, you may be eligible for the Pathway to Commercialization if your innovation is market-ready at technology readiness level (TRL) 9 or above (see other eligibility criteria)
- You will have up to 12 months to be assessed against eligibility criteria to determine if you will be placed on a Pathway to Commercialization source list where government departments can browse and purchase your successfully-tested innovations for up to three years
- Contracts under this initiative will each have a limit of up to $8M
Important considerations
- You must be selling the same innovation from your initial Testing Stream contract
- If you participate in the Pathway to Commercialization, your innovation will no longer be admissible for further testing nor any subsequent purchases contracts under EN578-22ISC5 of the Testing Stream.
- The requirements for commercial contracts will reflect the operational needs of client departments, the nature of the innovation, and will be put in place by Public Services and Procurement Canada, the program's Contracting Authority
How will SMEs be assessed?
A number of criteria will be used as part of the assessment process, including:
- Financial capacity
- Technology readiness
- Certifications
- IP strategy
- Company size
- Scalability
- Innovation test performance
Please read the call for proposals (CFP) for more information on the Pathway to Commercialization.