Snowshoe RFI

The Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) under solicitation number W8486-270877 to gather industry feedback on the cost and lead time required to fabricate Snowshoes, Trail, Magnesium, C2 (NSN 8465-21-520-0007) for dismounted soldiers. This RFI, posted on June 22, 2026, with a response deadline of July 17, 2026, is non-binding and intended solely for market research to inform a potential future procurement. Respondents are requested to provide indicative, non-binding unit costs in their native currency, excluding shipping, packaging, and taxes, though all quoted prices must include applicable Canadian customs duties, GST/HST, and excise taxes, with GST/HST shown as a separate line item. The snowshoes are to be constructed entirely of magnesium aluminum alloy extrusion, measuring approximately 48 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and weighing 4 pounds excluding bindings, with key components including a frame, gripping strip, cross bars, and plastic-covered cable, as per specified drawings and standards. Each unit must be legibly and indelibly marked in black stencil, with characters no less than 3.17 mm in height, on the upper surface of the tail section between the welds, and must include the item identification, NSN, contractor name or trademark, contract number, and year of manufacture, after passing internal inspection. The anticipated procurement schedule indicates a possible Request for Proposal (RFP) issuance in Winter 2027 and a tentative contract award in Summer 2027, with an estimated requirement of approximately 23,000 pairs. While this RFI does not establish a contract or set performance periods, future solicitations may be governed by policies such as the Defence Procurement Strategy, Industrial and Regional Benefits, Indigenous Procurement, the Greening Government Strategy, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, the Agreement on Internal Trade, the Defence Production Act, and compliance with the Controlled Goods Program and Federal Contractors Program for Employment Equity. Respondents must submit responses in unprotected PDF format to Gabriel Gagnon at the Directorate of Land Procurement, Department of National Defence, Ottawa, Ontario, via email, and must include an authorized point of contact. All submissions are subject to a declaration that the respondent is