Notice - Space Technology Development Program industrial capability-building contributions (AO 4)
Publication date:
Deadline:
1. Purpose
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is informing the Canadian space industry of its intention to proceed with the posting of three (3) potential Announcements of Opportunities (AOs) as part of its Grants and Contributions Program – Space Technologies Development Program (STDP) component. The purpose of the AOs is to provide financial support to businesses in the Canadian space industry that develop technological innovations with a potential for tangible economic benefits for Canada. The potential AOs to be published are described briefly in section 2.
The objectives of this notice are the following:
- To inform the space industry of the planned posting date for and content of these AOs;
- To enable the space industry to comment on the described AOs;
- To give the space industry the time to consider collaborations or partnerships with other firms, universities or research centres (not mandatory but encouraged).
The CSA encourages any interested organization to submit comments or suggestions in response to this notice no later than ; however, participation in this notice is neither a condition nor a prerequisite for participation in any subsequent AO. This notice will not be used to establish a list of potential suppliers for upcoming work.
2. Eligible Projects and Description of the AOs
It is planned to divide any potential AOs that will be posted as part of the Grants and Contributions Program - STDP component into three (3) categories. Eligible projects will include all the space technologies including those increasing on-board autonomy and improving the ground segmentFootnote 1.
AO4.1 Space R&D: Non-repayable contributions of up to $2 million for research and development (R&D) space projects.
The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the short and medium term, between 2 and 5 years.
Note: This category is open to all for-profit Canadian businesses.
AO4.2 Space R&D - Small Businesses: Non-repayable contributions of up to $200,000 for R&D space projects carried out by small businesses.
The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the medium and long term, between 5 to 10 years.
Note: This category is open exclusively to for-profit Canadian small businesses (with up to 50 employees).
AO4.3 Space R&D - Feasibility Studies: Non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 for feasibility studies related to space system design projects for technologies with strong commercial potential.
The R&D projects within this category are those whose potential for expected economic benefits is in the medium and long term, between 5 to 10 years.
Note: This category is open to all for-profit Canadian businesses.
Approved proposals will be qualified for a total government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal) assistance of up to a maximum of 75% of total eligible project costs.
The CSA plans to allocate approximately 75% of the total AO budget to the first category (AO4.1), 20% to the second (AO4.2) and 5% to the third (AO4.3).
The definition of R&D used by the STDP, and for this notice, is as follows:
"Any pre-commercial technology activities that are carried out to resolve unknowns regarding the feasibility of space concepts in the space sector."
3. Important Comments
This notice is not an AO and should not be considered as a commitment on the part of the Government of Canada to publish one. No agreement based on this notice will be concluded. This notice does not in any way authorize prospective interested organizations to undertake work, the cost of which could be claimed from Canada.
In the information provided to Canada, organizations submitting comments or suggestions are encouraged to indicate the presence of any information which they consider as exclusive, personal or belonging to a third party. Please note that Canada may be required by law (e.g., in response to a request under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act) to disclose information that is proprietary or sensitive at the commercial level.
Organizations submitting comments or suggestions are required to indicate whether their response, or any part thereof, is subject to the Controlled Goods Regulations.
Organizations submitting comments or suggestions will receive no reimbursement for the costs incurred in replying to this notice.
It should be noted that the descriptions of the AOs in section 2 and the distribution of the total AO budget are subject to change between now and the official publication of the AOs, if necessary.
The CSA intends to encourage the space industry to collaborate with the academic sector in the implementation of the AOs by promoting projects that will include student participation.
For guidance, publication of the AOs is scheduled for mid- on the Buyandsell.gc.ca website as well as on the CSA website. Several factors may influence this date, or even lead to the cancellation of such a publication.
Comments and suggestions will not be submitted to a formal assessment; however, they could be used in the preparation of potential AOs. No additional exchange on the subjects raised should be expected. Clarification may be requested as needed.
This notice is subject to change. If necessary, these changes will be published on the Government invitation to tender electronic service. It is important to check the Buyandsell.gc.ca site regularly for changes made, if necessary.
4. Email Address and Response Deadline
Interested organizations can email their comments or suggestions to the following address, no later than :
Email: pdts_consultation-stdp_consultation@asc-csa.gc.ca
The deadline was set to ensure that the comments and suggestions received can be processed. Comments will be accepted until the AOs are published (where relevant); however, due to the posting date planned for these AOs, it is possible that late comments may not be duly considered.