Notice - Technology Demonstration
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Publication Date:
1. Purpose
In the last decade, the Canadian space community has expressed, through forums, conferences, working groups, and more recently through the CSA's Request For Information, the need for frequent and accessible demonstration opportunities for innovative space technologies. The space scene has changed in recent years as several new platforms and launch providers have appeared and the use of CubeSat as a cost-effective solution is increasingly used for space demonstrations and validations of new technologies.
Technology demonstration, for the purpose of this Announcement of Opportunity (AO), means to demonstrate technologies in space. A technology may require a specific demonstration: to gain flight heritage for potential commercial sales, for validation, for an eventual scientific experiment, to demonstrate a new product, service or application. More specifically, this AO will support the development of a proto-flight model, its adaptation, delivery, integration, launch and demonstration.
In light of the above, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is informing the Canadian space sector of its intention to proceed with the posting an Announcement of Opportunity to specifically support it with funds to demonstrate new technologies in space, before . This AO will award non-repayable contributions of up to $2M per project, that expect benefits in the short to medium term (e.g. 1 to 5 years).
The potential AO to be published is described briefly in section 2.
The objectives of this notice are the following:
- To inform the Canadian space sector of the planned posting date and content of this AO;
- To enable the Canadian space sector to comment on the described AO;
- To give the Canadian space sector the time to consider collaborations or partnerships with other firms, universities or research centers (not mandatory but encouraged).
Comments and suggestions will not be used for a formal assessment; however, they could potentially be used in the final preparation of the AO. No additional exchange on the subjects raised should be expected.
The CSA encourages any interested organization to submit comments or suggestions in response to this notice no later than ; however, participation in this notice is neither a condition nor a prerequisite for participation or being selected for funding in any subsequent AO. This notice will not be used to establish a list of potential applicants for any upcoming AO.
2. Eligible Projects and Description of the AO
The CSA's technology demonstration AO aims to support the basic research and development of technologies that demonstrate strong commercial potential.
Eligible projects are required to be manifested with a payload delivery service provider for launch before , as demonstrated with a letter of intent or launch service agreement.
Only technologies targeted at demonstration in space are eligible. Projects seeking demonstration in a suborbital flight platform, for example sounding rockets, are ineligible for this AO. Demonstrations through the International Space Station will only be eligible if the access is obtained through commercial service providers.
Eligible technologies must have reached TRL-6 (System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment (ground or space)) at the beginning of the project. They do not include the design and development of an instrument, payload or platform (e.g. Basic R&D from TRL 1 to TRL 4). However, they do include the R&D to adapt an existing instrument or payload for its integration on a demonstration platform. Activities such as adaptation of interfaces (electrical and mechanical), volume, mass or power and integration/modification of components to withstand the space environment are eligible.
The definition of R&D used by the STDP, and for this notice, is as follows:
"Any pre-commercial technology activities that are carried out to resolve unknowns regarding the feasibility of space concepts in the space sector."
Eligible recipients are to 1) for-profit organizations, 2) not-for-profit organizations, and 3) universities. All must be established and operating in Canada.
This AO will issue non-repayable contributions of up to $2 million per project, that demonstrate benefits in the short to medium term (i.e. 1 to 5 years). Projects should have a targeted duration of 24 to 36 months.
The AO will use a 2-step application process consisting of an Outline Proposal followed by a Complete Application (both using a predefined format to be provided). Only applicants whose Outline Proposal will have succeeded the screening process will be invited to submit a complete application.
The total funding available under this AO is currently expected to be approximately $8M.
The AO will be open until or until complete subscription of the total amount of the AO. Outline Proposals and Complete Applications will be reviewed and evaluated in the order of reception.
Approved proposals will be eligible for a total government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal) assistance of up to a maximum of 75% of total eligible project costs.
Any logical breakdown or combination of project phases can constitute a funded project. However, breaking down a project into numerous phases to obtain more than the maximum contribution of the AO is not allowed.
Furthermore, if a proposal is for pursuing a standalone R&D found in another awarded contribution (past or ongoing), the proposed follow-up R&D, even if funded in a new contribution agreement, is considered another phase of R&D of the same G&C project for which the program has a cumulative limit of $5M. If the maximum funding for one project is not reached, the completion of a funded phase does not automatically guarantee funding of the remaining phases.
3. Important Comments
This notice is not an AO and should not be considered as a commitment on the part of the Government of Canada to publish one. No agreement based on this notice will be concluded. This notice does not in any way authorize prospective interested organizations to undertake work, the cost of which could be claimed from Canada.
In the information provided to Canada, organizations submitting comments or suggestions are encouraged to indicate the presence of any information which they consider as exclusive, personal or belonging to a third party. Please note that Canada may be required by law (e.g., in response to a request under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act) to disclose information that is proprietary or sensitive at the commercial level.
Organizations submitting comments or suggestions are required to indicate whether their response, or any part thereof, is subject to the Controlled Goods Regulations.
Organizations submitting comments or suggestions will receive no reimbursement for the costs incurred in replying to this notice.
It should be noted that the description of the AO in section 2 is subject to change between now and the official publication of the AO, if necessary.
The CSA encourages the space industry to collaborate with the academic sector in the implementation of the AO by promoting projects that will include student and academic participation.
Potential applicants may be interested in contacting Mitacs, a national not-for-profit organization. It builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada, especially by helping companies access the talent, technologies, and strategic partnerships they need to innovate and grow. Academic researchers and highly skilled graduates or postdoctoral talent can be leveraged on research projects in collaboration with universities. Potential applicants will have to account for the Mitacs funding as part of the total government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) assistance in the application form.
For guidance, publication of the AO is targeted for on the CSA website. Several factors may influence this date, or even lead to the cancellation of such a publication.
This notice is subject to change. If necessary, these changes will be published on the CSA website.
4. Email Address and Response Deadline
Interested organizations can email their comments or suggestions to the following address, no later than :
Email: pdts-stdp@asc-csa.gc.ca
The deadline was set to ensure that the comments and suggestions received can be processed. Comments will be accepted until the AO is published (where relevant); however, due to the posting date planned for this AO, it is possible that late comments may not be duly considered.