CASR

Canadian
American
Strategic
Review

Shield Naval Decoy Project    –  MERX  –  CF Procurement  –  June  2008 New Chaff and Flare Launchers for the Halifax Class Mid-Life — the Shield [SLQ-502] Replacement Project — MERX NPP Notice Halifax class frigates rely upon  AN/SLQ-503  RAMSES ( Reprogrammable Advanced Multimode Shipboard Electronic Countermeasures System) to jam an attempted missile attack on the ship. One approach to countering incoming missiles is decoys. Oldest of the naval decoys in Canadian service are the AN/SLQ-502  Shield II  rocket  launchers. Shield II  consists of  four mounts  (two per side), each with a cluster of six launch tubes. In each of the clusters, a mix of  rockets  –  P6 infrared flares and P8 chaff bundles  –  are preloaded. The angle of  the launchers (left) is fixed at 30°.  The goal of Shield II use is either to jam an attacking missile's radar (in the case of chaff) or to present any heat- seeking sensors with a false target (in the case of IR flares). These are seen as  "passive defences". The AN/SLQ-502  Shield II originated with the British electronics firm, Plessey (since taken over by GEC Siemens, then BAE Systems, and now Esterline Technologies). As such systems go, the Shield II is now considered out of date. Later Shield III variants are more integrated,  other decoy systems, such as the Nulka, are more sophisticated. As a result, DND wants to replace its existing AN/SLQ-502 with new decoy launchers. "I prayed that he would finish, but he just kept right on" – Soft Kill Weapon System NATO navies dub ship missile defence decoys as "soft kills" and there is a wide range of  these SKWS ('Soft Kill Weapon Systems') to choose from.  That brings up the first odd aspect of this Shield Replacement Project NPP – not a single characteristic for the desired replacement is listed. Rather than guessing at DND's intent, we will simply list the available range of SKWS types with an example from each of the decoy categories. Seduction Chaff:  NATO  SeaGnat 214, a 130mm Radio Frequency Seduction Decoy. Distraction/Confusion Chaff:  Pains Wessex Marine PW216, 130mm Jamming Decoy. Infrared:  Kilgore Flares  (Chemring)  Talos Autofire,  130mm Infrared Flare Decoy. Dual Mode: Buck NT  (now Rheinmetall)  Bullfighter,  130mm  RF and  IR  Decoy. Offboard Active: Selex  (formerly BAE)  Siren,  130mm 'Intelligent' Electronic Decoy. The second oddity in this Shield Replacement Project NPP is in the delivery schedule. While bidding closes near the end of August 2008, delivery of the new decoy systems need not be completed until "sixty-six (66) months after contract award date". Five and a half years? How such a gap between signing and completion was arrived at by DND planners is anyone's guess. Will the winning corporation still be in business by 2014? The full text of  this NPP  (as published on the MERX website)  is reproduced below. ________________________________________ Notice of  Proposed  Procurement  (NPP)  – SHIELD [ Naval Decoy ]  Replacement Project ________________________________________ Reference Number                PW-$$QF-021-17171 Solicitation Number              W8472-085129/A Organization Name               Public Works and Government Services Canada                                                  Travaux publics et Services gouvernementaux Canada Source ID                               FD.DP.QC.10077.C2 Associated Components     Yes Dates Published     2008-06-17 Revised         — Closing         2008-08-26  02:00 PM  Eastern Daylight Saving Time  EDT Details Category     Communications, Detection and Fibre Optics GSINS          N5865: "ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES, COUNTER-COUNTER-                      MEASURES AND QUICK REACTION CAPABILITY EQUIPMENT" Region of Delivery            Nova Scotia, British Columbia Region of Opportunity     — Agreement Type                WTO-AGP / NAFTA / AIT Tender Type                       Notice of Proposed Procurement (NPP) Estimated Value                  — Solicitation Method           — Notice Description SHIELD Replacement Project Trade Agreement:  WTO-AGP / NAFTA / AIT Tendering Procedures:  Attachment:  None Competitive Procurement Strategy:  Best Overall Proposal Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement:  No Nature of Requirements: SHIELD Replacement Project W8472-085129/A Williamson, Ian Telephone No. - (819) 956-5771 Fax No. - (819) 956-0767 The Department of National Defence (DND) has a requirement to replace the Navy's existing Halifax Class SHIELD Passive Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) systems. There shall be a full system on each of the twelve Halifax Class ships, and two full systems for shore installations in Canadian Forces Base facilities. The system shall replace the existing AN/SLQ-502 SHIELD II Type 200 Passive ECM System. Delivery and acceptance of the final shipborne fire-control system launchers shall be completed no later than sixty-six (66) months after contract award date. There is also a requirement for additional Field Service Representative (FSR) support for five (5) years after contract award date. There is a security requirement associated with this requirement. This requirement pertains to goods falling under Federal Supply Classification (FSC) N5865 - Electronic Countermeasures, Counter-Countermeasures and Quick Reaction Capability Equipment. As a result, the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) applies to this procurement. The Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy will apply to this requirement and bidders' proposals in response to the Request for Proposal will be evaluated in relation to these requirements. The Bidder's IRB Proposal, measured in Canadian Content Value (CCV), must equal a minimum of 100% of the bid price. The Bidder must also match the bid price of any contract options with an equal amount of IRBs, measured in CCV. This procurement is subject to the provisions of the Controlled Goods Program 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. Williamson, Ian 11 Laurier St. / 11, rue Laurier 8C2, Place du Portage Gatineau Québec K1A 0S5 (819) 956-5771 ( ) [Contact] Contracting Authority Name        Ian Williamson Address   11 Laurier St. / 11, rue Laurier 8C2, Place du Portage, Phase III City           Gatineau State / Province  Québec Country        Canada Postal Code K1A 0S5 Phone           (819) 956-5771 ( ) Fax                (819) 956-0767