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: W7714-248676/010 - Pacific Foresight- See Sooner. Decide Faster. Deter Smarter
“Anticipate the future. Shape the outcome.”
The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are seeking innovative strategies, frameworks, methodologies and enabling technologies to strengthen Canada’s deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific.
Background and context
Canada is actively advancing its strategic posture to address the evolving challenges posed by adversaries in the Indo-Pacific. While efforts are underway across government and academia, there remains an opportunity to strengthen coordination, resourcing, and integration to ensure a unified deterrence strategy. Enhancing cross-departmental collaboration and investing in scalable tools to monitor diplomatic, economic, cyber, and military activities globally is now critical. Developing language-proficient, culturally aware analysts will improve Canada’s ability to interpret strategic intentions and doctrinal changes. Canada must shift from a reactive to an anticipatory stance by accelerating predictive modeling and strategic foresight to support long-term deterrence research and planning. Canada must shift from a reactive to an anticipatory stance by accelerating predictive modeling and strategic foresight to support long-term deterrence research and planning.
To meet these demands, Canada can lead the development of a cross-domain, whole-of-government deterrence strategy tailored to the Indo-Pacific threat environment. Strengthening the strategic understanding of adversarial grand strategies, military doctrines, and crisis response behaviors will enable more effective simulation and planning around potential flashpoints. Enhanced foresight analysis will better support senior decision-makers, while deepening Canada’s contributions to allied intelligence and strategic partnerships. Closing capability gaps will help Canada join key regional partnerships like AUKUS and strengthen its credibility as a trusted security partner.
Globally, jurisdictions are leveraging dual-use technologies to address similar challenges. These include Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven threat modeling, big data analytics for real-time situational awareness, and language and cultural AI tools to decode strategic communications. Integrated deterrence platforms now combine cyber, space, and conventional capabilities, while quantum technologies are being applied to command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and space-based threats. Canada has begun exploring these technologies, and scaling their adoption will be essential to maintaining strategic relevance.
Essential outcomes
Proposed solutions must demonstrate the following:
1. How the solution will enhance the DND/CAF’s knowledge of geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, including emerging threats, strategic competition, and Canada’s defence and security interests.
2. The ability to develop or deliver methodologies, knowledge, analysis, and/or capabilities in support of one or more of the following areas within the Indo-Pacific region:
• Military doctrine
• Decision-making processes
• Military modernization
• Crisis response mechanisms
• Intelligence frameworks
• Adversary analysis
• Strategic culture
3. How the solution will support the creation of Indo-Pacific expertise ecosystems to strengthen Canada’s defence and security posture.
Desired outcomes
Proposed solutions should include one or more of the following capabilities and considerations:
1. Demonstrate how the solution will inform Canadian defence and security leadership through one or more of the following:
• Insightful analysis of Indo-Pacific geopolitical dynamics;
• Understanding of regional security architectures and threat environments; and/or,
• Integration of defence-relevant intelligence and strategic foresight.
2. Demonstrate the ability to inform, advance or establish technological capabilities that enable the real-time tracking, assessment, and modelling of China’s global activities across one or more of the following:
• Diplomatic engagements;
• Economic initiatives;
• Influence operations;
• Cyber activities; and/or,
• Military movements and posture.
3. Demonstrate the capability to simulate potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific region, with specific relevance to China’s regional posture and influence. The solution should show how such simulations can inform Canadian defence planning, crisis response readiness, and strategic foresight and decision-making.
Demonstrate how the solution reinforces or enhances Canada’s role in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Five Eyes (FVEY), and/or North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
5. Demonstrate the ability to track, interpret, and analyse Chinese strategic messaging using a variety of approaches, including advanced technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning) and/or through enhanced Mandarin fluency and cultural understanding to support Canadian defence and intelligence assessments.
