Surveillance of Space 2 Ground-Based Optical System Request for Information

Trade Agreement: NONE Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements:

Surveillance of Space 2 Ground-Based Optical System Request for Information

This RFI serves to publish a presentation from the 2021 Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) Conference (Attachment 001) and a presentation from the 2021 Military Space Situational Awareness Conference (Attachment 002).

GENERAL

This industry consultation process seeks information from industry on its interest, capacity and ability to produce and deliver the systems that meet the requirements for the Department of National Defence Surveillance of Space 2 (SofS 2) project. This industry consultation process provides industry the opportunity to provide feedback in the development and refinement of the requirement, including the proposed technical requirement, the procurement strategy and methods of leveraging economic benefit for Canada.

The information gathered through this industry consultation process may be used by Canada to assist in the development of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the implementation of the SofS 2 procurement. As such, the requirement may be revised pending alternate solutions and discussions that take place during all industry engagement processes.

BACKGROUND

The Canadian Armed Forces rely heavily on space-based assets to conduct operations. The space environment is increasingly congested due to the dramatic increase in commercial and other satellites and debris. Potential adversaries also possess increasingly sophisticated anti-satellite weapons. In the context of this environment, access to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) helps ensure the security and integrity of national space-based capabilities, the awareness of space threats to Canadian territory, and support to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations worldwide. In 2013, the Department of National Defence (DND) and the CAF launched their first military satellite, Sapphire, a Space Based Optical (SBO) sensor that provides valuable Space Situational Awareness to both Canada and its allies. SSA products allow Canada to accurately assess the orbital positions and projected paths of our space assets.

Surveillance of Space 2 (SofS 2) offers Canada the opportunity to build on the performance of Sapphire and to continue Canada’s status as a valuable contributor to the US owned and operated Space Surveillance Network (SSN) and enjoy guaranteed access to the SSN. The preferred capability for the SofS 2 solution is Optical and may include a Ground Based Optical (GBO), SBO (which may include multiples) or a combination of both GBO and SBO(s); an enduring SSA capability that provides best value for cost is a key consideration for DND.

REQUIREMENT

The SofS 2 project is considering a GBO System as a means to mitigate a potential loss of SSA should Sapphire fail prior to the next generation SBO becoming available. Further, it is expected that the GBO System would supplement the next generation SBO System to achieve an even greater SSA capability.

FAIRNESS MONITOR

Vendors are advised that the services of a Fairness Monitor have been engaged in support of the engagement and procurement process stages. The Fairness Monitoring Program provides client departments, government suppliers, Parliament and Canadians with independent assurance that Public Services and Procurement Canada conducts its activities in a fair, open and transparent way. Additional information can be found at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/se-fm/index-eng.html

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

In order to participate in the Industry Engagement process, potential respondents must return a signed copy of the Rules of Engagement provided in notice W8474-207923/A to the Contracting Authority indicated below via email. Document distribution will follow a green procurement approach and utilize electronic distribution as appropriate.

ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Additional Industry Engagement activities may occur at a later date, and may include the review of draft Request for Proposal documents such as Terms and Conditions, Evaluation Plans, Economic Benefit plans, Technical Documentation and/or Statements of Work.

Throughout the engagement, Canada will accept questions from industry to discuss specific issues, solutions and/or to revise and refine the requirements. A running list of questions received from industry and answers provided by Canada will be maintained and will be posted directly on buyandsell.gc.ca. While representatives of Canada will be aware of which vendors posed which questions, no identifiers will be provided publicly to industry. All questions and answers will be reviewed by members of Canada’s technical, procurement and economic benefit teams, as well as by the Fairness Monitor prior to distribution.

Following the completion of the industry engagement activities, a Summary of Findings and Outcomes document, which will provide an overview of all engagement activities that took place, will be posted on buyandsell.gc.ca.

NOTES TO INTERESTED FIRMS

This Industry Engagement process is not a bid solicitation and a contract will not result from this process.

Potential respondents are advised that any information submitted to Canada in response to this Industry Engagement process may be used by Canada in the development of a subsequent competitive RFP.

The issuance of this Industry Engagement process does not create an obligation for Canada to issue a subsequent RFP, and does not bind Canada legally or otherwise, to enter into any agreement or to accept any suggestions from organizations. Canada reserves the right to accept or reject any or all comments received.

Participation in this Industry Engagement process is not a condition or prerequisite for participation in any RFP(s).

Companies participating in this Industry Engagement process should identify any submitted information that is to be considered as either company confidential or proprietary.

All enquiries and other communications related to this Industry Engagement process shall be directed exclusively to the Contracting Authority.

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY

All enquiries and other communications related to this Industry Engagement process shall be directed in writing as follows:

Alan Chan Public Services and Procurement Canada Procurement Branch 10 Wellington St. Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0S5

TEL: 613-858-9358 E-mail:alan.chan@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

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

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada. 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.