{
    "id": "canadabuys:cb-3-34869181",
    "url": "https://outfortender.com/tender/canadabuys-cb-3-34869181",
    "official_notice": "https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/cb-3-34869181",
    "title": "Weak magnetic anomaly detection for defence and security",
    "titles": {
        "en": "Weak magnetic anomaly detection for defence and security",
        "fr": "Détection des anomalies magnétiques faibles dans les domaines de la défense et de la sécurité"
    },
    "description": "*Please note that the ISC website will be available on October 30, 2026* This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) Call for Proposals 004 (EN578-24ISC4). For general ISC information, Offerors can visit the ISC website at: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions-canada/en Please refer to the Solicitation Documents Innovative Solutions Canada Program Call for Proposals – 004 - Tender Notice | CanadaBuys https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/cb-331-17030872 which contains the process for submitting a proposal. Steps to apply: Step 1: Read this challenge. Step 2: Read the Call for Proposals : https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/cb-331-17030872 Step 3: Propose your solution here : https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions-canada/en/weak-magnetic-anomaly-detection-defence-and-security?auHash=1sFpxB6DzXI5S5IfIex1eysacfiS2cUIMVE1Eeit0EQ ISED is seeking a novel magnetometer (either quantum or classical or a combination thereof) that provides advantage over existing capabilities either in sensitivity, specificity, or Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C), and multi-domain employability. Challenge sponsor: Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada (ISDE) Funding mechanism: Contract Opening date: October 30, 2026 Closing date: November 27, 2026 14:00 Eastern time Challenge Problem statement Canada has a requirement for magnetic anomaly detection for defence and security. Traditional magnetometers, such as fluxgate sensors, have been used for decades to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. A fluxgate magnetometer is a relatively simple classical device: it consists of a coil of wire wrapped around a core material and detects changes in magnetic flux passing through the sensor. While reliable, these classical sensors face inherent limitations in size, sensitivity, accuracy, and long term stability. Quantum magnetometers, by contrast, leverage the principles of quantum mechanics and promise the ability to achieve superior performance. They offer enhanced sensitivity, improved accuracy and stability, and in some cases even reduced size and weight compared to their classical counterparts. There is a lack of suitably mature quantum sensors in the commercial space. The government of Canada has identified a need to develop a device or system consisting of hardware and software and a quantum sensor or a mix of classical and quantum sensors capable of sensing nanotesla (nT) or even femtotesla (fT) magnetic signals that can be used for a myriad of commercial, medical, and defence applications. In scanning the research underway, there appears to be interest in various means for the sensing of magnetic fields, including but not limited to Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID), Superconducting Quantum Interference Filter (SQIF), and (Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) diamond. In addition to this we are led to believe that Rydberg atoms, typically framed for electric field detection can be reconfigured and/or adapted for magnetic field detection as well. We are also aware of another technology termed Spin-Exchange Relaxation-Free (SERF) which is very sensitive, but so sensitive as to be problematic to employ. This investigation seeks to explore nT and even fT sensitivities. Desired outcomes and considerations Essential (mandatory) outcomes The proposed solution must: 1. Essential range and direction finding considerations Demonstrate sensing capabilities of magnetic anomalies in close proximity where distance (d) is greater than or equal to (=) 2 meters (m) with a relative error less than 10%. The device must provide azimuth to +/- 5 degrees, and an inclination of +/- 5 degrees. 2. Sensitivity Produce a prototype capable of a minimum of 500 picotesla (pT) sensitivity with a target of 10 fT. 3. Specificity The device must be able to separate a target signal from background noise. A sensitive…",
    "description_language": "en",
    "buyer": "Department of Public Works and Government Services (PSPC)",
    "country": "CA",
    "country_name": "Canada",
    "category": "Architectural, construction and engineering services",
    "procedure": "Competitive - Selective tendering",
    "published": "2026-10-30",
    "deadline": "2026-11-27T14:00:00",
    "status": "open",
    "source": "canadabuys"
}