Description
This Challenge notice is issued under the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program Call for Proposals (CFP) Call 006 (W7714-248676/A).
Solicitation Documents reference: See bidding details section.
*For additional general information on the IDEaS Program, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas.html
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This challenge is open to receive proposals for Component 1a, Component 1b and Component 2. Proposed solutions that fall within technology readiness levels (TRL) 1-9 can be submitted to this challenge.
Steps to apply:
Step 1: read this challenge
Step 2: read the Call for Proposals : See bidding details section
Step 3: propose your solution here : https://defence-innovation-portal.my.site.com/
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Maximum Funding and Performance Period
Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.
The individual maximum contract funding available under Component 1a (TRL 1-3) is up to $250,000 CAD (excluding applicable taxes) for a maximum performance period of up to 6 months.
The maximum individual contract funding available under Component 1b (TRL 4-5) is up to $1,500,000 CAD (excluding applicable taxes) for a maximum performance period of 12 months.
The maximum individual contract funding available under Component 2 (TRL 6-9) is up to $5,000,000 CAD (excluding applicable taxes). The period of performance will be determined at the time of contract negotiation.
The maximum individual contractual funding and the maximum performance period offered under Component 3 will be determined by Canada at the time of contract negotiation.
This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding.
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Challenge Details
Challenge Title: W7714-248676/017 - RF Data Fusion for Command and Control
The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are seeking innovative software-based solutions to seamlessly convert, analyze, and fuse real-time, domain-specific, content-rich data transmitted over radio frequency (RF) bearers into a secure, standardized pan-domain Command and Control (C2) format to enhance interoperability and enable timely, data-driven decision-making across all domains and levels of command.
Background and context
Radio frequency (RF) communications in military operations are inherently bandwidth-constrained and vulnerable to jamming, interference, and environmental effects, making them unreliable in contested environments. To maintain timely and effective support across all warfighting domains, data transmitted over RF bearers should be transformed into compact, structured messages, such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based Message Text Formats (MTF) or other machine-readable schemas. Such messages should be optimized for transmission over tactical networks including Low Frequency (LF), Very Low Frequency (VLF), High Frequency (HF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF), and Satellite Communications (SATCOM). This approach enables resilient, standards-based communication across domains (land, air, maritime, cyber, and space) and functional services (e.g., Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR), medical, logistics), in line with doctrinal requirements for pan-domain operations.
CAF tactical messaging remains largely dependent on legacy systems. These systems are inflexible, poorly suited to machine-to-machine exchange, and increasingly misaligned with NATO’s shift toward XML-based, data-centric frameworks. CAF operators currently lack integrated, machine-readable messaging systems. As a result, they must manually convert voice, chat, and text inputs into formal military products including orders, situation reports, and Requests for Information (RFIs) to comply with command structures and coalition standards.
Modern, pan-domain operations require that doctrinal and technical Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) be