Mission Autonomy Stack Framework with Integration into Heterogeneous UAS

PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW:

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is seeking to procure a state-of-the-art Mission Autonomy Stack Framework for integration into heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and air-launched effects (ALE) surrogate platforms. The objective is to support research, experimentation, and concept development tailored to NRC’s and its clients' research needs. The supplier will be responsible for providing the autonomy stack framework, human interfaces, and integrating the system into two specific ALE surrogates: an NRC-provided quadcopter and an experimental C150 optionally piloted vehicle (OPV).

ISSUING ORGANIZATION:

The issuing organization is the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The primary contact for this RFP is Shawn Doyle, who can be reached at [email protected].

KEY DATES:

• Posted Date: June 2, 2026
• Proposal Due Date: July 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET
• End of Questions Period: June 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET
• Expected Delivery Date for All Deliverables: August 31, 2026

CONTRACT DETAILS:

The contract type is a firm-fixed-price agreement. Bidders must submit fixed unit prices in Canadian currency, excluding customs duties, with applicable taxes being extra. The contract will last from the date of award for a period of two years post-delivery and acceptance.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Bidders must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• Submission of fixed unit prices in Canadian currency.
• Compliance with security requirements associated with the solicitation.
• Adherence to trade agreements including CCFTA, CPFTA, CCOFTA, CPAFTA, CHFTA, CKFTA, CFTA, CUFTA, CETA, Canada-UK TCA, WTO-AGP, and CPTPP.
• All inquiries must be submitted in writing at least ten calendar days before the bid closing date.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:

Bidders must demonstrate expertise in providing a platform-agnostic mission autonomy stack framework that has been proven in military operations. Specific technical skills required include:

• Integration capabilities with heterogeneous UAS.
• Development of human interfaces for the autonomy stack.
• Experience with UAS and ALE surrogate platforms.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Key deliverables include:

• A fully integrated mission autonomy stack framework.
• Human interface designs.
• Successful integration into the specified quadcopter and C150 OPV.
  Performance metrics and service-level agreements will be outlined in the Statement of Work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

While not mandatory, bidders with the following qualifications may have a competitive advantage:

• Proven experience in military applications of mission autonomy technologies.
• Previous work with NRC or similar government research organizations.
• Certifications related to UAS operations or autonomy frameworks.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the RFP, enabling potential bidders to assess their fit for the opportunity effectively.