In Service Support for the Medium‑Long Range Aircraft Platform for Environmental Research (MAPLE)

The National Research Council of Canada is seeking in-service support for the Medium-Long Range Aircraft Platform for Environmental Research (MAPLE), involving comprehensive structural modifications to integrate scientific sensors, pods, pylons, and peripheral systems across the aircraft’s wings, fuselage, and tail. The contract requires the design, fabrication, integration, and certification of mission enhancements including mandatory systems such as the Mission Audio System and Cabin Interior Liners, as well as structural modifications to the wing, fuselage, and aft sections. Science infrastructure elements like pylons, radomes, and inlets are offered as optional components with two implementation pathways: Full Development or Fabrication and Integration. Additional critical systems include electrical power generation and distribution, cabin wiring (EWIS), environmental control, and gas handling, all subject to airworthiness, safety, and environmental compliance standards. The contractor must deliver all items by December 31, 2029, with the contract period extending through March 31, 2031, inclusive of an irrevocable option for up to five additional one-year extensions. Technical support services, provided at fully burdened hourly rates for roles such as Structures Engineer and Systems Engineer, must be available for up to eighteen months post-delivery. Bids must be submitted electronically as a single, legible file, not exceeding 10 MB per file, with a maximum of ten files total, and must strictly adhere to a defined structure separating Technical, Financial, and Certification volumes. Pricing must be submitted as fixed unit prices in Canadian Dollars, with all costs including engineering, testing, certification, and project management fully accounted for. Bidders must meet mandatory pass/fail criteria in two phases, including a minimum technical score of 60 out of 100, after which financial proposals are evaluated. The award is based on the highest combined score of technical merit (70%) and price (30%). Compliance with Canada’s Code of Conduct for Procurement, Anti-forced Labour Requirements, and the Policy on Prioritizing Canadian Suppliers and Materials is mandatory, and contractors must maintain verifiable records of material origins. The contractor assumes full liability for all damages caused by its personnel or subcontractors, is responsible for securing all necessary insurance at its own expense, and must obtain prior written consent before any subcontracting. Invoicing must follow strict format requirements and be emailed to the designated address, with payments issued within 30 days for acceptable invoices. All work is subject to government audit and inspection, and final acceptance hinges