In brief
- Bids close December 1.
- System to reach about 20 km altitude and hold for three days.
- PSPC signed 2,676 contracts worth C$774.3 million in 2026.
Public Services and Procurement Canada is seeking a supplier to develop and demonstrate a high-altitude platform system, with bids due December 1, according to a notice on CanadaBuys.
The system must reach about 20 km altitude and move laterally by a similar range. It should hold a fixed point for at least three days and operate in temperatures down to minus 70 C. The solution is for defence, surveillance and emergency operations.
The platform must supply at least 100 watts for sensors and cover a 1,000 km2 service area plus a 200 km2 transit area. It must deliver connectivity comparable to 4G/LTE or Starlink while supporting current wireless systems. Launch and operations must be possible from land or water, with automated decision-making for flight manoeuvres.
Deployment is required within six hours for heavier-than-air systems or within 24 hours for lighter-than-air systems.
In GovMarket records, PSPC’s recent telecommunications work has included The Bell Telephone Company of with 27 contracts worth C$11.3 million, last active in 2026. Madysta Telecom Ltée. has one contract worth C$10.6 million, last active in 2024. Motorola Solutions Canada has three contracts worth C$7.4 million, last active in 2024.
PSPC has signed 2,676 contracts worth C$774.3 million in 2026 in GovMarket records.
The request for proposal uses competitive selective tendering. The notice lists no trade agreements and states no value. Bids close December 1.
Key facts
* 2026 so far
| Year | Value | Contracts |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $2.16bn | 4490 |
| 2022 | $5.56bn | 5866 |
| 2023 | $2.63bn | 5468 |
| 2024 | $4.33bn | 4868 |
| 2025 | $2.09bn | 4969 |
| 2026 | $774.3m | 2676 |
Who this buyer has used for this work
Written from published notices and GovMarket contract records. Totals cover GovMarket records, which start at different dates for each source.
