Request for Information (RFI): Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH)
Purpose
The purpose of this request for information (RFI) is to gather insights from potential partners and stakeholders regarding infrastructure, hosting capabilities, collaboration models, and funding strategies to support the establishment and scalability of the Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH).
The objectives of this RFI are to:
a. provide the Canadian innovation ecosystem with general information on the potential scope of work requirements and potential for funding for DISH;
b. enable Canada to request information, input, and perspective from the innovation ecosystem; and
c. enable Canada to progress towards establishing DISH.
Background Information
The DISH initiative seeks to accelerate the development and integration of advanced defence technologies by fostering secure, collaborative innovation among government, industry, academia, and allies. DISH will be a consortium of sustained efforts enabled by multiple collaborators. The initiative will focus on, but is not limited to, the following domains:
• underwater surveillance;
• quantum;
• drone / counter-drone capabilities;
• artificial intelligence;
• Arctic research and development enablers;
• human health and performance / biotechnology;
• space;
• integrated air and missile defence;
• cyber operations; and
• electronic warfare.
Canada’s defence and security environment is evolving rapidly, demanding innovative,
adaptable, and technologically advanced solutions to meet Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) priorities. Science and technology (S&T)
collaboration with industry and academia is expected to increase our capacity for
innovation, accelerate development of capabilities for the CAF, and strengthen Canada’s
defence infrastructure in a way that enhances national security and competitiveness.
Additionally, DISH aligns with the ongoing Defence Procurement Review efforts to mobilize
defence procurement at the speed of relevance and the anticipated development of a
defence industrial strategy to strengthen Canada’s industrial readiness and sovereign
defence capability.
The current scientific and technological ecosystem lacks sufficient classified laboratories
and spaces for conducting sensitive research with external partners. Defence Research and
Development Canada’s (DRDC) collaboration with academia and industry is essential for
accelerating the path from innovation to capability and mitigating capacity constraints in
conducting all research in-house. Leveraging academic and industry multidisciplinary pools
of knowledge and expertise is not presently optimized, which leaves DRDC/DND at a
strategic disadvantage for advancing defence and security S&T priorities.
Secure innovation hubs would be one of the solutions to bridge this gap, providing controlled environments where DRDC/DND, CAF, academic and industry partners can work together on classified projects. By leveraging spaces where classified research and development (R&D) can be conducted, DRDC can expand its collaborative activities to drive innovation in critical areas of defence and security.
The following links provide a general background on physical security requirements:
• Lead Security Agency for physical security | Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• GCPSG-010_Operational Physical Security Guide
• GCPSG-014_Physical Security Considerations in Facility Design
• GCPSG-008_Physical Security Considerations for Remote and Telework Environments
Each of the proposed domains will have specific areas of work requirements.
Requested Information
Respondents are invited to provide detailed responses to the following questions:
• What kind of infrastructure (physical/virtual) can you provide or develop to support DISH with the intent to bring the infrastructure, or part of it, to a Secret security level II?
• What is your experience with secure environments (Protected B/Secret), and does it include designing, constructing, and/or managing facilities or online systems that allow work to be conducted as Protected B and/or Secret?
• Does your organization and/or staff hold current Protected B or Secret clearance and, if so, how does your organization manage this?
• How would you support collaboration among government, academia, and industry for both R&D and the commercialization at scalable production of the end results of the collaborations?
• What mentorship or commercialization support can you offer collaborators to help advance their R&D towards commercialization?
• What funding or cost-sharing models would you propose?
• What timelines and resources would be required to reach Protected B and Secret readiness?
Potential Work Scope and Constraints
Participation in this RFI will not guarantee future contracts with the Government of Canada. There is potential in the future for the Crown to award contracts for secure and collaborative innovation environments, and responses to this RFI may be used to develop future solicitations. The work may include some or all of the following:
• provision of infrastructure and facilities that can be scaled, as and where needed, to provide a collaborative work environment that allows work to be conducted up to Level II Secret;
• support for classified information technology infrastructure;
• involvement in collaboration and mentorship programs;
• provision of training and documentation;
• establishment of a consortium of innovative partnerships and collaborations; and
• Development of governance and reporting mechanisms.
Legislation, Trade Agreements and Government Policies
The following list is indicative of some of the legislation, trade agreements, and government policies that could impact any follow-on solicitation(s):
In Canada, R&D of technologies within Secret Level II environments—which involve classified information—are governed by a combination of security, innovation, and intellectual property policies, as well as by legislation that ensures national security and responsible innovation. Below is a list of key policies and legislative frameworks that oversee such activities:
Security and Information Protection
• Policy on Government Security (PGS): Overseen by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, this policy governs the protection of sensitive government assets, including classified information at Secret Level II.
• Directive on Security Management: This directive provides operational guidance on implementing the PGS, including physical, personnel, and IT security.
• Security of Information Act: This act criminalizes unauthorized communication of safeguarded information and governs the handling of classified data.
• Access to Information Act & Privacy Act: These acts regulate access to and protection of personal and classified information.
Research and Innovation Oversight
• Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy: This strategy addresses cybersecurity and research security in international R&D partnerships(https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/audits-evaluations/en/evaluation/summary-digital-research-infrastructure-dri-strategy ).
Intellectual Property and Commercialization
• Intellectual Property Strategy: This strategy ensures protection and commercialization of innovations developed in secure environments.
• Controlled Goods Program (CGP): This program is administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada and regulates access to goods and technologies with national security implications.
• Open Government Implementation Plans: While focused on transparency, these plans also outline how departments like Innovation, Science and Economic Development manage sensitive data (https://open.canada.ca/en/content/open-government-implementation-plan-innovation-science-and-economic-development-canada).
Schedule
In providing responses, the following schedule should be utilized as a baseline:
• Analysis of RFI responses: [October 2025].
• Formulation of DISH call for proposals (CFP): [November 2025].
• Possible stakeholder engagements: [January 2026].
Important Notes to Respondents
Submitting the Response
Interested respondents may submit their responses to the designated contact. Responses should be submitted in PDF or Word format and be a maximum of ten pages. Responses should be submitted to the contracting authority, Tim Harcoff (tim.harcoff@forces.gc.ca), and the project authority Mark Truelove (mark.truelove@forces.gc.ca).
Format of the Response
Responses should include a cover page with the RFI title, the full legal name of the respondent, and the date. Include a point of contact (name, address, telephone number, and email).
Treatment of the Response
Responses will not be formally evaluated, and this RFI should not be construed as a solicitation of bids. However, the information may be used in planning a potential CFP. Participation in this RFI is not mandatory and will not affect eligibility for future CFP.
Closing Date
Responses to this RFI are to be submitted on or before October 14, 2025.
