The Department of National Defence (DND) through the Defence Investment Agency streamlined procurement process, is moving forward with the orbital component of its Surveillance of Space 2 project. Public Works and Government Services Canada has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Phase A of the Space Based Optical capability.
The funding opportunity is limited to Canadian suppliers and includes specific Canadian content provisions. The government intends to award up to three separate contracts for this phase. Each contract carries a maximum funding limit of $2.5 million before applicable taxes, bringing the total potential for the RFP to $7.5 million. The closing date is September 14, 2026 at 1 pm EDT.
This contract is needed to update Canada’s military space-based assets. The current Sapphire satellite went into orbit back in 2013 and is now pushing well past its original five-year lifespan. Eventually, the new Space Based Optical system will pair up with the ground observatories MDA Space is building across the country. By combining those space and ground assets, DND will have a constant set of eyes to track and monitor deep-space objects.
This funding opportunity arrives as the number of satellites orbiting in Low Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit, which is already substantial, is set for massive grow and become even more congested and contested. DND requires robust space domain awareness to protect national assets and fulfill obligations to allied partners.
Interested bidders must submit their proposals directly through the SAP Business Network electronic platform. The government established a National Security Exemption for the Space Based Optical capability, meaning standard international trade agreements do not apply to this procurement.