Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program: Under Pressure (Component 1A)

Eligibility

This Challenge notice is issued under the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program Call for Proposals (CFP) Call 005 (W7714-227982/A). This program, "Under pressure: Just-in-time medical resupply in austere environments," advances promising technology quickly through a phased approach, and the present opportunity represents the first of the following two phases:

Component 1a (Up to 6 months, up to $200,000). Component 1a helps to establish the innovativeness and impact of a solution and its ability to address a specific defence and security challenge. Innovators have up to six months to refine and advance their product and showcase it to Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces. As added incentive, projects that show promise will be considered for a second phase of funding (Component 1b).
Component 1b (Up to 12 months, up to $1 million). Component 1b projects continue the development to progress a solution to a higher solution readiness level. Innovators will have up to a full year to make the most of their opportunity to advance their project.

Additional eligibility considerations:

• This Call for Proposals (CFP) is open to individuals, academia and industry.
• Solution Readiness Level: The current SRL of the proposed solution must be within 1 and 6 (inclusive). Review the Solution Readiness Level (SRL) maturity scale for more information.

Eligible overhead breakdown:

• 65% applied to Direct Payroll Costs for on-campus work;
• 30% applied to Direct Payroll Costs for off-campus work;
• 2% applied to travel and living expenses

Summary

The Challenge

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are seeking innovative solutions that can provide efficient and effective just-in-time medical resupply of common medical equipment and devices in austere environments.

Background and Context

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how fragile the global supply chains of medical devices and equipment can be; resulting in global shortages and prolonged wait times on orders. These issues are particularly concerning for the CAF’s deployment of medical support services including field hospitals, which rely on access to limited medical equipment and, depending on the location, a challenging logistical re-supply chain. 

To address these challenges, the CAF is seeking the means to use technology that would allow for just-in-time resupply of medical equipment and devices. In doing so, there would be improvement in the CAF’s ability to deployable medical support services, decreased cost/footprint for stockpiled medical materials, shorter wait times for necessary medical devices, and the ability to perform life-saving procedures in instances where there is a shortage of critical medical equipment.

Essential Outcomes

Proposed solutions must meet the following requirements:

• Be transportable by land, sea or air using commonly available vehicles, aircraft or standard commercial means; 
• Be able to utilize battery power and battery power back-up systems;
• Be able to function in environments below 10 degrees Celsius and above 30 degrees Celsius); and
• Where applicable, the medical device/equipment and any other medical supply items must have a valid and active medical license issued by Health Canada.

Desired Outcomes

Proposed solutions should include capabilities such as, but not limited to, the following:

• There is a provision of technical training of on how to navigate the various menus, systems and sub-systems and how to repair, calibrate, and troubleshoot the system and its peripherals;
• There is a provision of operator training to include the knowledge necessary to navigate the various menus, systems and sub-systems, including basic troubleshooting;
• Provide contact information of telephone or virtual technical support during regular business hours;
• There is an availability of parts or replacement; and
• In the case where a power source is needed, it can use either 120V or 240V power sources.

What IDEaS Provides

Funding of up to $200,000 will be provided for innovative solutions to help advance this defence challenge over a performance period of up to 6 months. There is a potential opportunity for further funding of up to $1 million for a performance period of up to a year should the solution be found successful and promising by DND/CAF.

What Innovators Bring

Solutions that demonstrate the ability to be transportable by land, sea or air, using commonly available vehicles, aircraft or standard commercial means, utilize battery power and battery power back-up systems, and function in austere environments.

Submission Process

All applications are submitted through the Research Management System (RMS) to initiate internal approvals. Please note that when the RMS record finally reaches Research Services by the internal deadline, it should contain all the relevant Department and Faculty approvals. Please allow additional time for these approval steps. Late applications will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you will need to secure additional late approvals from your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) and the Executive Director, Research Services. Training resources are available on the RMS website.

1. Upload a copy of your final and complete application to the RMS Application record, and submit for academic approvals.  Please ensure that you allow enough time for academic approvals prior to the Research Services (RSO) final internal deadline of NOON, December 15, 2022. Please note this is a hard deadline. Exceptions will only be made with the approval of your faculty Associate Dean (Research).
2. RSO will provide institutional sign-off on the application and internal approvals in RMS. RMS will notify you that institutional approval has been provided and any institutional signatures will be provided 
3. Full Proposals must be submitted only by SAP Ariba, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)’s online procurement platform by by 12:00pm MST December 20, 2022.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.