JUSTAS - RFI 2016

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Competitive Procurement Strategy: Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - JOINT UNMANNED SURVEILLANCE AND TARGET ACQUISITION SYSTEM (JUSTAS) PROJECT

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that the Request for Information (DI) has been extended to close on 2016/04/15 14:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is requesting Industry feedback regarding long range, long endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

In support of the enduring Canadian defence strategy roles and missions, UAS will play a significant role in the CAF ?system of systems? approach to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), with emphasis on the defence of Canadian territory, including the Arctic and maritime approaches, and a capability to support ISR and precision strike in support of deployed forces. As a result, the CAF has a need to field and support interoperable, network-enabled UAS to provide ISR, Target Acquisition, and a weapons carrying and delivery capability in support of CAF operations worldwide.

The objectives of this RFI are to

a. share with Industry, the Government of Canada (GC) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) long range, long endurance UAS requirements;

b. seek feedback from Industry on potential options to meet GC and CAF’s needs and associated capability, schedule, cost, risk and economic benefits; and

c. utilize the feedback from Industry to develop detailed cost estimates and refine planning documents leading towards Definition phase funding approval.

The JUSTAS project issued an RFI in 2012 to gather the required data from interested parties to prepare for the next phaseof the project. A new RFI is required to address aspects of the project that were not covered in the 2012 RFI.

The JUSTAS project is investigating a number of options to deliver the strategic/operational level UAS for the CAF. The options being examined include:

i. Interim UAS Capability (IUC)- Acquisition of an interim capability that will deliver a single Line of Tasking (LOT) in the short term. The interim capability would be for a fixed base period (assume 5 years for costing purposes) withoptions for extension (multiple one-year extensions);

ii. Interim + Full JUSTAS (I+F) - Acquisition of an interim capability that will deliver a single LOT in the short term to be followed by an option to meet the full JUSTAS High Level Mandatory Requirements (HLMR); and

iii. Full JUSTAS - Acquisition of a capability to meet the full JUSTAS HLMR.

Respondents are highly encouraged to offer alternatives to the project concepts and strategies outlined in this RFI. These alternatives should be accompanied by comprehensive arguments and analysis that clearly demonstrate how the proposed solution to the operational requirement is more advantageous to Canada with regard to operational suitability, effectiveness, schedule, cost and risk.

Respondents are requested to provide a response to Part1, Part 2 and/or Part 3 of Annex A in order to participate in potential follow-on one-on-one activity. In addition, Respondents interested in one-on-one activity are requested to complete Annex J, One-on-one Session Registration Form.

This RFI is neither a call for tender nor a Request for Proposal (RFP). No agreement or contract will be entered into based on this RFI. The issuance of this RFI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by the GC,nor as authority to potential respondents to undertake any work that could be charged to Canada. This RFI is not to be considered as a commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or award contract(s).

Participation in this RFI is encouraged, but is not mandatory. There will be no short-listing of potential suppliers for the purposes of undertaking any future work as a result of this RFI. Similarly, participation in this RFI is not a condition or prerequisite for the participation in any potential subsequent solicitation.

Enquiries

All enquiries and other communications related to this RFI and associated Industry Engagement activities must be directed exclusively to the PSPC Contracting Authority, using the JUSTAS e-mail address below:

TPSGC.SIISAO-JUSTAS.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Delivery Date: 15/04/2016

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.