The Government of Canada has issued a call for proposals to aid in the development of science and technology (S&T) tools. This would assist in the growth of knowledge and advice to better respond to Canada’s defence, public safety, and security challenges.
This program, which is federally-funded, is a partnership between the National Defence Science and Technology and Public Safety Canada. It is through collaboration like this, “working with industry, academia and other government organizations, that enhances the Government of Canada’s ability to ensure Canadians remain safe and secure,” the news release says.
“Canada must have the most current evidence-based knowledge and effective tools to respond to the challenges and risks we face,” said Defence Minister Harjit S. Saijan. “National Defence is proud to collaborate with the best minds from industry, academia, and government to enhance our military and public safety capabilities and capacities, protect Canada and keep Canadians safe.”
Investments like these are the means to sustain and enhance the Government of Canada and Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) operations, while at the same time providing job opportunities to Canadians.
“This Call for Proposals helps fulfil the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure resiliency to global and domestic threats,” said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. “It will help keep Canadians safe using innovative science and technology to better respond to security challenges.”
Through this “call” the Department of National Defence is seeking proposals that will aid in defending Canada’s borders, territory and approaches, as well as enhancing CAF defence operations and infrastructure, and safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Canadians.
According to the news release, this Call for Proposals will fund projects under two program streams:
- Up to $19 million to address Public Safety and Security challenges under the theme of smart communities and systems, aiming to optimize the use and benefit of smart technologies in a manner that is safe, secure and preserves the privacy of individuals, and
- Up to $5 million to support Strong, Secured, Engaged, Canada’s new defence policy, including solutions for Canadian Special Forces Operations, the All Domain Situational Awareness S&T Program, and modernization of defence infrastructure.
The submission period for proposals is now open and will run up to December 11, 2017. After the deadline, a rigorous evaluation process will take place and the projects selected for each stream will be announced.
For more information, interested bidders can go here.