Correctional Services Canada (CSC) is seeking a technological solution to manage/prevent unauthorized use of wireless communication devices thereby preventing inmates from conducting illegal activities using such devices.
Sponsoring Department: Correctional Services Canada (CSC)
Funding Mechanism: Contract
Opening date: October 18, 2018
Closing date: January 8, 2019, 14:00 Eastern Standard Time
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell
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Challenge
Summary
Correctional Services Canada (CSC) is seeking a technological solution to manage/prevent unauthorized use of wireless communication devices thereby preventing inmates from conducting illegal activities using such devices.
Problem Statement
The presence of wireless devices in correctional facilities is enabling inmates to conduct criminal or otherwise non-approved activities through the use of these devices. Wireless devices are getting smaller, more sophisticated, and easier to bypass traditional detection methods. Possession of wireless communication devices by inmates within CSC institutions is strictly prohibited. Over the past decade the prevalence and use of wireless devices by inmates housed within correctional facilities has been increasing.
Wireless devices broadly encompasses cellular phones, smart phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), tablet computers, media devices, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and various other forms of portable electronic communication and media devices. Although this prohibition is rigidly enforced, mobile devices are frequently recovered by Correctional Officers from inmates within an institution.
By implementing an effective wireless detection system within CSC correctional facilities, the risk/reward balance to inmates of importing/acquiring and using these contraband devices will be significantly reduced, thereby rendering wireless communication devices useless to inmates.
Desired outcomes and Considerations
Essential Outcomes
Proposed solutions must include:
- External module to be deployed at the perimeter of the institution. Module to detect, identify and locate all wireless devices;
The proposed external module solution must:- have an Radio Frequency (RF) sensitivity such that all cellular devices (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G) could be detected from perimeter;
- provide unique cellular identification, ex: Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) or International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI);
- be able to geo-locate at the building level all wireless devices, devices that are communicating with devices located outside the perimeter.
- Internal module to help facilitate search and retrieve operations of wireless devices located within building of an institution;
The proposed internal module solution must :- be portable to facilitate quick and easy internal deployment;
- be a wireless module with a battery autonomy of about one month;
- be able to detect and locate wireless devices at the cell level, meaning with 3 meters or better accuracies;
- provide unique device identification such that two RF devices can't be confused during localisation activities, for example providing unique identification: TMSI for Cellular, Mac for WIFI, etc.
- Modules that are upgradable in order to address future wireless communication protocol changes without requiring complete or significant replacement of hardware; and
- Features enabling to ignore authorized wireless devices communication, for example: Cellular, WIFI, P25, etc.
Additional Outcomes
Proposed solutions should:
- Be affordable: eventual sales price, including installation, should be less than $250,000.00 per institution to allow for deployment through all Correctional Service Canada institutions.
Considerations
- Software Defined Radio with open source software allows for the creation of a cellular network (eg. 3G LTE);
- Certain cellphones have the capability of selecting any base-station in the region;
- There are various cellular standards used in Canada: Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc;
- Carriers keep expanding their access to frequency bands (licensed and unlicensed);
- Most Wireless Service Providers (WSPs) are now allowing cellphones to access their network via WIFI, enabling authorized cellular devices to turn on WIFI hot-spot;
- Directional antennas could enable connectivity via blue-tooth and WIFI to external network outside the institution;
- Current search and retrieve technology of unauthorized wireless devices is expensive and often unsuccessful; and
- Wireless technology for devices is constantly evolving (size, complexity, technology, etc.)
Background and Context
Current interdiction methods: jamming/blocking, Grabbing/Managed Access System (MAS), search and retrieve, have not proven to be successful to date at CSC.
A report from California Council on Science and Technology dated May 2012 concluded that Managed Access System (MAS) Technology is Not Yet Proven for Prison Environment and alternative options for mitigating Contraband Cell Phones should be considered. https://ccst.us/publications/2012/2012cell.pdf
In the UK in 2012 legislation permitting the use of "signal-denying" technology was introduced but problems persist and are getting worse. http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8160/CBP-8160.pdf
A rule change request was proposed and published by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 2, 2017. The Commission proposed to require Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) licensees to terminate service to detected contraband wireless devices within correctional facilities. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-343732A1.pdf
Maximum value and travel
Maximum contract value:
Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.
The maximum funding available for any Phase 1 Contract resulting from this Challenge is $150,000.00 CAD (plus tax) including shipping, travel and living expenses, as applicable, for up to 6 months.
The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 Contract resulting from this Challenge is $1,000,000.00 CAD (plus tax) including shipping, travel and living expenses, as applicable, for up to 2 years. Only eligible businesses that have completed Phase 1 could be considered for Phase 2.
This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding.
Travel:
For Phase 1, it is anticipated that two meetings may require the successful bidder(s) to travel to the location identified below:
- Kick-off Meeting: Ottawa, Ontario
- Final Review Meeting: Ottawa, Ontario
Eligibility
Solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:
- for profit
- incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
- 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employeesFootnote *
- research and development activities that take place in Canada
- 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in CanadaFootnote *
- 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of workFootnote *
- 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residenceFootnote *
Application guide
Evaluation Criteria
The official source of the Evaluation Criteria for this challenge is the Government Electronic Tendering System (Buy and Sell) (https://buyandsell.gc.ca/procurement-data/tender-notice/PW-18-00846769)
In the event of a discrepancy between the information below and the information published on Buy and Sell, Buy and Sell will take precedence.
Part 1: Mandatory and Minimum Pass Mark Criteria
Proposals must meet all mandatory criteria (Questions 1a and 2) and achieve the minimum pass mark for Question 3 in order to be deemed responsive and proceed to Part 2.
Question | Evaluation Schema |
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1 a. Scope Describe your proposed solution and how it responds to the challenge. Include in your description the scientific and technological basis upon which your solution is proposed and clearly identify how your solution meets all of the EssentialOutcomes (if identified) in the Desired Outcomes and Considerations section in the Challenge Notice. |
Mandatory - Pass/Fail Pass Fail |
2. Current Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
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Mandatory - Pass/Fail Pass: The Applicant/Bidder has demonstrated that the proposed solution is currently between TRLs 1 and 4 (inclusive), and provided justification by explaining the research and development (R&D) that has taken place to bring the solution to the stated TRL. Fail: The Applicant/Bidder has not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the current TRL is between 1 to 4 (inclusive) including:
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3. Innovation Describe the novelty of your solution and how it advances the state-of-the-art over existing technologies, including competing solutions. |
Point Rated with Minimum Pass Mark The minimum pass mark for this criteria is 4 points. 0 points/Fail: The Applicant/Bidder has not demonstrated that the proposed solution advances the state-of-the-art over existing technologies, including available competing solutions; OR The stated advancements are described in general terms but are not substantiated with specific, measurable evidence. 4 points:
6 points:
8 points:
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Part 2: Point-Rated Criteria
Proposals that do not achieve the overall minimum score of at least 55 points out of a possible 110 points (50%) will be declared non-responsive and given no further consideration.
The overall minimum score is determined by adding the Applicant/Bidder's scores from the following questions together (1b, 3, 4-13).
Question | Evaluation Schema |
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1b. Scope Describe how your proposed solution addresses the Additional Outcomes (if identified) in the Desired Outcomes and Considerations section in the Challenge Notice. If no Additional Outcomes are identified in the Challenge Notice, Bidders/Applicants will receive 10 points |
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4. Phase 1 Science and Technology Risks Identify potential scientific and/or technological risks to the successful development of the proof of concept and how they will be mitigated in Phase 1? |
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5. Benefits to Canada Describe the benefits that could result from the successful development of your solution. Applicants/Bidders should consider the potential benefits using the following three categories:
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6. Phase 1 Project Plan Demonstrate a feasible Phase 1 project plan by completing the table. Include:
Note: Phase 1 cannot exceed 6 months and TRL 4. |
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7. Phase 1 Project Risks Identify potential project risks (eg. Human resources, financial, project management, etc) to the successful development of the proof of concept and how they will be mitigated? |
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8. Phase 1 Implementation Team Demonstrate how your project implementation team has the required management and technological skill sets and experience to deliver the project plan for Phase 1 by completing the table. A member of the implementation team can have more than one role. Include the labour rates and level of effort for each member. A day is defined as 7.5 hours of work, exclusive of meal breaks. The labour rates and level of effort will be reviewed as part of the evaluation for Question 10. |
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9. Inclusivity If your business were to receive funding from Innovative Solutions Canada, describe what actions (e.g., recruitment strategy, internships, co-op placements, etc.) might be taken in Phase 1 to support the participation of under-represented groups (e.g., women, youth, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, visible minorities) in the research and development of the proposed solution. |
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10. Phase 1 Financial Proposal Demonstrate a realistic financial proposal for the Phase 1 project plan by completing the table. |
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11. Phase 1 Financial Controls, Tracking and Oversight Describe the financial controls, tracking and oversight that will be used to manage the public funds throughout Phase 1. |
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12. Phase 2 Strategy Describe a realistic strategy for the prototype development if selected to participate in Phase 2. Responses should include:
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13. Commercialization Approach Describe your overall commercialization approach for the proposed solution. Responses should include:
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Questions and answers
Please refer to the tender notice for this challenge on Buy and Sell.
Please visit Buy and Sell for all Questions and Answers related to the Call for Proposals.
If you have a question about a challenge, please send it to ISED-ISDE@canada.ca.
You can also consult the Frequently asked questions about the Innovative Solutions Canada Program.
A glossary is also available.