Northern Controlled Environment Agriculture Unit: Co-Design Study

PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is seeking a multidisciplinary team to co-develop a conceptual design for a deployable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) unit tailored to meet specific technical, environmental, and Inuit cultural requirements. The project aims to support an Inuit-led initiative to enhance food security in Nunavut while also addressing CSA's space mandate. The contractor will be responsible for creating technical drawings (CAD models) and a detailed report, integrating mature and near-ready technologies into the design. The resulting CEA unit will have applications for both terrestrial and space environments, focusing on food accessibility in Northern communities and long-duration space missions.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION

Organization: Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Contact: Richard Soulliere ([email protected])

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Bidders must form a partnership between a Canadian CEA specialized organization and an Inuit firm based in Nunavut.
• Compliance with the Inuit Benefits Plan (IBP), which constitutes 35% of the evaluation criteria.
• Bidders must demonstrate experience in developing agricultural systems suitable for northern climates.
• The project must adhere to CSA's space mandate, requiring innovative solutions tailored to extreme environmental and cultural conditions.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• Expertise in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems.
• Proficiency in CAD modeling and technical drawing creation.
• Familiarity with mature and near-ready agricultural technologies.
• Ability to engage with Inuit communities for culturally sensitive design processes.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• A conceptual design report and CAD models for the CEA unit.
• Iterative engagement with Inuit stakeholders throughout the design process.
• Deliverables must align with the CSA's technical and environmental requirements.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Technical approach (including integration of Inuit cultural practices) - 20 points.
• Inuit Benefits Plan (IBP) - 35 points.
• Specific experience with northern agricultural systems and technologies.
• Overall alignment with CSA’s objectives for food security and space applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience in similar co-design projects, particularly involving Indigenous partnerships.
• Advanced certifications in agricultural science or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in deploying agricultural technologies in remote or harsh environments.

This opportunity presents a unique chance for bidders with the requisite expertise and a commitment to Indigenous collaboration to contribute to a significant initiative aimed at improving food security in Nunavut and advancing agricultural capabilities for space missions.