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CASR
Defence
Budget &
Procurement
Practices
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ACAN s
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Canadian
Defence Policy,
Foreign
Policy,
& Canada-US
Relations
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~ ACANs and Letters of Interest ~ |
Laser Target Designators – MERX ACAN Notice
– November 2008
IZLID (Infrared Zoom Laser Illumination Designators)
Although listed as a Notice of Proposed Procurement, this document is obviously an ACAN not an NPP. Under the
terms of the ACAN, MD Charlton (of Saanichton, BC ), Canadian distributor for BE Meyers (of Redmond, WA) is to
supply 73 IZLID ("Infrared Zoom Laser Illumination Designators", usually a illuminator
designator).
Read CASR
commentary on the IZLID Dual Laser Indicators |
Aerial Logistics Support Services – MERX ACAN Notice
– November 2008
Sherpa Precision Aerial Delivery System –
Guided Parachutes
This ACAN is for eighteen Sherpa Navigator GPS-guided parachute systems from Nepean-based MMIST
( Mist Mobility Integrated System Technology ). Sherpa is identified as a "Precision Aerial Delivery
System" after the joint US JPADS version. MMIST tailored its COTS Sherpa for the US military as an interim
PADS. MMIST, itself, describes the Sherpa system as a GPS-Guided Parafoil.
Read CASR
commentary on the Sherpa Precision Aerial Delivery System |
Target Support Service – MERX ACAN Notice
– November 2008
Target Support Service: Air Vehicle Drones and their
Support
This ACAN asks the supplier (Meggitt Training Systems Canada of Medicine Hat, AB) to supply Target System
Services (TSS) to the CF. In other words, MTSC will provide both aerial targets – FSC 1550 implies aerial
target drones or RPV remotely- piloted vehicles – plus the means to launch, recover, and control such aerial
targets as well as measure and record the accuracy of live fire aimed at the air vehicle.
Read CASR
commentary on the TSS ACAN and the CU-162 Vindicator drone |
JUSTAS Project (Medium UAV) – MERX LOI Notice
– September 2008
Joint Unmanned Surveillance Target Acquisition System
UAV
DND tried a new tack with Project Noctua but
Predator maker – General Atomics – refused to play. A re-jigged Noctua
contest, recognizing the limits of its budget, resulted in the lease of piston-engined
IAI Herons. However, JUSTAS is aimed at more capable UAVs – candidates, assuming
that industry can be tempted to deal with DND again, will likely be Predator B and the
enlarged Heron TP, with another Elbit model – their completely different Hermes 900
– as something of a long-shot.
Read CASR
commentary on the JUSTAS UAV LOI Notice and the MERX text |
Weapons System Peripherals – MERX ACAN Notice
– September 2008
KN 203 FAB Night Vision Imaging System for Sniper's
Sight
The Simrad KN203 FAB night vision imaging system clamps to the telescopic sight on sniper rifles allowing targets to
be identified at night or any low light conditions. The Simrad system is field-adjustable, enabling a sight to be
quickly boresighted to an individual rifle. Thus, any daytime scope is transformed into a night vision
sight.
Read CASR
commentary on Simrad sniper scope ACAN and the MERX text |
Griffon Helicopter Development – MERX ACAN Notice
– July 2008
Evaluating Griffon 'Hot-and-High' Performance
Gain Claims
Applying BLR strakes and Fastfin to Canadian Forces CH-146s should increase the Griffon's official
WAT (Weight Altitude and Temperature) chart limits up to 454 kg beyond current levels. Despite obvious implications
for operations in Afghanistan, DND moves cautiously. Canada prefers official confirmation of performance
gains. Contrast with the Australian Army whose entire fleet of Hueys now sports strakes.
Read CASR
commentary on Fastfin/Strake kits ACAN and the MERX text |
Aircraft Upgrades/Military Parts Procurement – MERX
– June 2008
CP-140 ASLEP ( Aurora Structural Life
Extension Project )
In Sept 2007, MND Peter MacKay announced that DND's on-going CP-140 Aurora modernization (AIMP)
and airframe upgrades (ASLEP) were to be cancelled. By the end of 2007, the MND has performed a volte
face. AIMP was back on – at least for ten aircraft – and those ten airframes would
also be upgraded. This ACAN names Lockheed Martin Corporation as the supplier of all those new airframe
components.
Read CASR
commentary on the ACAN for ASLEP and the original MERX text |
Halifax Class Modernization – Sonar Suite
Replacement – April 2008
Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade: SQR-501 CANTASS Sonar
This LOI seeks to replace existing shipboard elements of the Halifax class frigate's sonar system
by adding commercial off-the-shelf hardware to a ‘productionized’ equivalent
to Defence Research & Development Canada’s Pleiades System Test Bed. This would
improve underwater target detection and ease any future upgrade. However, it was the 'gag order' on
potential suppliers that caught public attention.
Read CASR
commentary on CANTASS upgrade LOI and original MERX text |
Griffon Escort Helicopters – MERX – CF
Procurement – March 2008
INGRESS Griffon Reconnaissance Escort Surveillance
System
The Interoperable Griffon Reconnaissance Escort Surveillance System (INGRESS) would replace
the existing single-senor AN/AAQ-501 E/O turret with a multi-sensor incorporating laser target-marking and
probably magnifying video. This LOI Notice is also a Pricing and Availability enquiry that clarifies the terms of an
earlier Notice.
Read CASR
commentary on the LOI for the INGRESS suite and the MERX text |
Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks – MERX –
CF Procurement – March 2008
Tank Replacement Project: Leopard 2 Upgrade &
Conversion
The Tank Replacement Project aims to replace the CF's aging fleet of Leopard C2 tanks
and associated support vehicles. Phase 1 involves loaned German Leopard 2A6M deployed
to Kandahar. Phase 2 began with the purchase of 100 ex-Dutch Army Leopard 2s.
This LOI Notice deals with how those 100 tanks (which were in storage for a time) will be refurbished,
"Canadianized" and, in some cases, re-roled.
Read CASR
commentary on the LOI for this MRR WLR and the MERX text |
Artillery Radar System – MERX – CF
Procurement – March 2008
Medium Range Radar (MRR) — New
Weapon Locating Radar
This LOI is for a vehicle-based weapon locating radar (WLR) designated Medium Range Radar (MRR). The
CF's current WLR is ARTHUR (ARTillery HUnting Radar) by Saab (formerly Ericsson). The CF
ARTHUR is housed in an unarmoured Bv 206 vehicle. In the high-threat environment of
southern Afghanistan, this arrangement is inadequate. An armoured carrier able to keep up with the LAV III is
now desired.
Read CASR
commentary on the LOI for this MRR WLR and the MERX text |
Defence Research – MERX – CF/DND
Procurement – March 2008
MovieCat TS Miniature Helicopter
for Defence R&D Canada
Defence R&D Canada-Ottawa intends to buy a single remotely-controlled mini-heli- copter. What DRDC-Ottawa intends to
do with this RC aircraft – beyond research – is not revealed. The ACAN lists DRDC specifications
obviously developed around the popular, German-made MoBB MovieCat TS mini-helicopter. As the
MovieCat name implies, the aircraft carries a digital camera stabilized in three-axes on its
nose.
Read CASR
commentary on the Mini-Helicopter ACAN and the MERX text |
Medium Support Vehicle – MERX – CF
Procurement – March 2008
Medium Support Vehicle System — Standard Military
Pattern
DND has revised the specification for the new medium truck (MLVW replacement). Although listed as a Letter of
Interest, this notice is really asking potential bidders to acknowledge that protection levels for the Standard
Military Pattern (SMP) type have been increased. In other words, not so much an LOI as a late change in course to
address the inadequate armour protection specified in the original requirement.
Also see the original March 2007 LOI Notice for MSVS SMP, MilCOTS
and SEVs.
The MSVS Project Management Office's Appendix BH (to Annex B) – the Armour Protection System (APS) Requirement –
has been reproduced on a separate page.
Read CASR
commentary on the MSVS LOI and the text (as published on MERX) |
Government Maintenance/Procurement – MERX
– February 2008
Transport Canada Challenger Repair &
Overhaul Contract
DND operates 6 Bombardier (Canadair) CC-144 Challenger bizjets on behalf of the Federal government.
These aircraft are actually owned by Transport Canada (as is the Ottawa hangar that the Challengers
operate out of ). The Federal government wishes to award a contract to Bombardier to provide
maintenance services for this disparate fleet of Challengers. The contract would include options for
modification to the existing fleet as well as replacement of the older CC-144s with newer models. This may be
the first step towards an overall CF fleet modernization plan (along the lines of that recently adopted
for the much more modest RCMP Air Service fleet ).
Read CASR
commentary on this ACAN and the text (as published on MERX) |
Afghanistan Mission – Leased UAVs – CF
Procurement – February 2008
Project Noctua — Leased UAVs for Afghanistan
— LOI Notice
One of the strongest recommendations of the Manley Report was gaining access to more suitable UAVs as soon as
possible. The shortcomings of the troubled CF CU-161 Sperwer Tactical UAVs are all too
obvious. And, it seems that DND has lost interest in smaller TUAVs for now in any case. Attention had turned to
larger MALE (Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance) UAVs as part of the JUSTAS project.
Industry interest in encouraging but Project Noctua will still not field a new UAV in Afghanistan this year.
The project is scheduled to close in early July 2008. The winning bidder is expected to achieve "Initial
Operating Capability 180 days after contract award". That puts new the UAV in Kandahar at the start of
January 2009.
Read CASR
commentary on this ACAN and the text (as published on MERX) |
Afghanistan Mission – MERX – CF
Procurement – February 2008
Dillon Aero DMG134S [M134D] MiniGun —
MERX ACAN Notice
DND wants three Dillon Aero M134D gatling gun systems (and parts) to test for operational
suitability as a door-mounted helicopter armament for CH-146 Griffons. These three MiniGun systems
would be tested by the CF's Land Aviation Test & Evaluation Flight (LATEF) at CFB Gagetown, NB for
operational suitability prior to a final choice of helicopter-mounted armaments. No dates are given for test
results.
In this case, the ACAN process has being used to speed up procurement for a non- operational system. That is not to
say that these test M134Ds may not be deployed to Afghanistan. However, since the guns are not for immediate use in
Afghanistan, DND cannot apply their Urgent or Immediate Operational Requirement procedures.
Read CASR commentary on
this ACAN and the text (as published on MERX) |
Airlift Capability Project – MERX ACAN –
CF Procurement – December 2007
Air Force CC-177 Support Equipment —
MERX ACAN Notice
In November 2007, PW&GCS closed bids on an ACAN (Advance Contract Award Notice) for support equipment for
the CF's Boeing CC-177 (C-17) Globemaster IIIs. This ACAN, awarded to Dartmouth-based Atlantic Aero
Marine (AAM), Canadian distributor for British AMS aircraft recovery equipment. This ACAN covers equip- ment to be used
in the event of a CC-177 landing gear failure or rolling off a runway.
Specific equipment involved in this ACAN are additional aircraft recovery airbags (of 12-tonne
capability) and a large aircraft recovery sledge system (30-t capability).
Read CASR commentary on
this ACAN and the text (as published on MERX) |
Airlift Capability Project – MERX ACAN –
CF Procurement – August 2006
Canadian Forces Strategic Airlift — MERX C-17 ACAN
Notice
In early July 2006, the Canadian government issued an ACAN (Advance Contract Award Notice) announcing its intention
to place orders for four C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft from Boeing. Although the
"National Security Exception" was invoked, the notice took pains to exclude trade and various other
agreements. The purpose of the ACAN was to allow potential competitors to challenge the Boeing order and
thereby avoid allegations that the government was "single-sourcing".
Read text of Airlift Capability
Project-Strategic ACAN (as published on MERX) |
Airlift Capability Project – MERX ACAN –
CF Procurement – August 2006
Canadian Forces Medium- to Heavy-Lift Helicopter
ACAN
In early July 2006, the Canadian government issued an ACAN (Advance Contract Award Notice) announcing its intention
to place orders for sixteen Boeing CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. As with the C-17 ACAN, an
"National Security Ex- ception" was invoked, taking pains to exclude trade and various other agreements.
The ACAN’s purpose was to allow potential competitors to challenge the Boeing order and thereby
avoid allegations that the government was “single-sourcing”.
Read text of Medium- to
Heavy-Lift Helicopter ACAN (as published on MERX) |
Airlift Capability Project – MERX ACAN –
CF Procurement – August 2006
Airlift Capability Project-Tactical: 'Letter of
Interest' Notice
On 05 July 2006 – the same day that the Canadian government issued two ACANs (Advance Contract Award Notices)
announcing its intention to place orders for 4 C-17 Globemaster
III transport aircraft and 16 CH-47
Chinook medium- to heavy- lift helicopters from Boeing) – a third invitation was issued to the global
aerospace industry. Through its electronic-tendering service, the government has requested "Letters
of Interest" from potential suppliers of tactical transport aircraft capable of replacing the
CF fleet of aged CC-130E Hercules and the older CC-130H models.
A "Letter of Interest" (LOI) approach is meant to eliminate unsuitable suppliers at an early stage,
thereby saving time and money for both business and government. The first step is the “Solicitation of Interest
and Qualification” (SOIQ) to establish the suitability of both supplier and potential product. If
appropriate qualifications were shown, the next stage would be a more formal “Request for Proposal”
(RFP). However, as noted in the text, the government is not obligated to proceed to RFP.
Read text of the
Airlift Capability Project-Tactical LOI (as published on MERX) |
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