Naval ship signature and combat system effectors test and evaluation (T&E) capabilities

The Department of National Defence of the Government of Canada has issued an Advance Contract Award Notice for the acquisition of ongoing technical consultation services related to naval ship signature and combat system effectors test and evaluation capabilities, targeting the Royal Canadian Navy’s River-class Destroyer program. The notice is structured as a sole-source procurement under exception 6(d) of the Government Contracts Regulations, which asserts that only one supplier—QinetiQ—is capable of fulfilling the mandatory requirements. This justification is based on QinetiQ’s demonstrated minimum of 10 years’ experience in each of eight critical areas, including supporting live-fire T&E for naval combatants, managing T&E infrastructure and instrumentation, operating live-fire ranges, advising NATO allies on modernization, and ensuring compliance with range safety, surveillance, and deconfliction protocols. The contract is estimated at $4,000,000.00 CAD, inclusive of a one-year base period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods. The scope encompasses performance of technical analyses, strategic planning, capability assessments, and executive briefings delivered primarily within Canada, although the contractor is based in the United Kingdom. There is no competitive solicitation process; instead, other potential suppliers are invited to submit a Statement of Capabilities by May 19, 2026, to demonstrate equivalency—if no such submissions meet the mandatory criteria, award will proceed exclusively to QinetiQ. Intellectual property developed under the contract remains the property of the contractor. The procurement complies with international trade agreements including CFTA, WTO-AGP, CETA, and CPTPP, though no CLIN or pricing breakdown is provided, and no specific payment office, COR, invoicing system, or packaging requirements are detailed. All submission inquiries must be directed to the Procurement Officer, Mathew Araujo, via email or mail to the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.