Artificial Intelligence Behaviour Monitoring Solution

This contract-based grant provides clear financial parameters aimed at supporting technological development projects for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Funding modalities are differentiated across two phases, supporting both feasibility study and prototype development.

• Phase 1 contracts offer a maximum funding of $150,000 CAD excluding taxes, shipping, travel, and living expenses, with an estimated funding duration of up to 6 months.
• Phase 2 contracts provide a maximum of $1,000,000 CAD excluding taxes, shipping, travel, and living expenses, with funding available for up to 24 months.
• Final decisions on the number of contracts awarded for each phase will depend on evaluation results, funding availability, and departmental priorities, with possible partial awards or scope adjustments.
• Selected companies will receive one contract per phase per challenge.
• Travel expenses covered include visits to varied RCMP cell locations outside of Ontario and Quebec, primarily via telephone or video communication for meetings.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and activities.

• The applicant must be a small business.
• The applicant must be a for-profit entity.
• The applicant must be incorporated in Canada, either federally or provincially.
• The applicant must have 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• Research and development activities must take place in Canada.
• 50% or more of the applicant's annual wages, salaries, and fees must currently be paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada.
• 50% or more of the applicant's FTE employees must have Canada as their ordinary place of work.
• 50% or more of the applicant's senior executives (Vice President and above) must have Canada as their principal residence.

Who is eligible?

This contract challenge is exclusively open to small businesses that meet specific Canadian incorporation and operation criteria, focusing on innovative development within the specified challenge context.

• The challenge is open to small businesses that are for-profit.
• Applicants must be incorporated in Canada, either federally or provincially.
• Eligible small businesses should have 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
• Research and development activities must take place within Canada.
• At least 50% of annual wages, salaries, and fees should be paid to those working mainly in Canada.
• 50% or more of full-time equivalent employees must ordinarily work in Canada.
• At least 50% of senior executives must reside principally in Canada.

Who is not eligible

This grant does not specify exclusions for any particular types of companies or industries based on their status or main activity. The eligibility criteria focus on qualifications needed to apply rather than restrictions.

Eligible expenses

This grant aims to develop innovative technological solutions for monitoring detainee behavior and vital signs to enhance safety and response measures in RCMP holding cells. Eligible projects focus on the development of new AI monitoring systems and the enhancement of existing technologies for use in this context.

• Development and implementation of AI-based behavior monitoring systems for detainees.
• Enhancement of current sensor technologies to detect destructive, self-harming, and medical distress behaviors.
• Integration of data recording systems that comply with RCMP data management policies.
• Implementation of non-intrusive, contactless monitoring solutions in detention environments.
• Creation of user-friendly interfaces for RCMP personnel use.

Eligible geographic areas

This opportunity is designated for small businesses incorporated in Canada and carrying out significant operations within the country. Eligible companies must demonstrate their incorporated status at either the federal or provincial level to ensure compliance with criteria.

• Businesses incorporated within Canada's federal framework.
• Companies incorporated provincially across all Canadian provinces and territories.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure proposals align with the challenge's objectives, including mandatory criteria (pass/fail) and point-rated criteria with allocated scores.

• Scope: Clarity on how the proposal addresses all essential outcomes in the Challenge Notice. (Mandatory – Pass/Fail)
• Current Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Justification of the existing TRL based on prior research and development activities. (Mandatory – Pass/Fail)
• Innovation: Demonstrating the proposal meets ISC definitions of innovation. (Mandatory – Pass/Fail)
• Advance on State of the Art: Competitive advantages and technological improvements over existing solutions. (Mandatory – Pass/Fail, with points: 0, 5, 12, 20)

• Additional Outcomes: Addressing Additional Outcomes in the Challenge Notice. (Point-Rated: 0, 3, 6, 10 points)
• Science and Technology Risks: Identification and mitigation of potential S&T risks in development phases. (Point-Rated: 0, 5, 10 points)
• Project Risks: Identification and mitigation of project-specific risks, including HR, financial, and IP risks. (Point-Rated: 0, 5, 10 points)
• Project Plan: Feasibility and detail of the development project plan. (Point-Rated: 0, 10, 20 points)
• Implementation Team: Required skills and experience of the team to execute the project plan. (Point-Rated: 0, 10, 20 points)
• Inclusivity: Policies and strategies for supporting under-represented groups in R&D. (Point-Rated: 0, 10, 20 points)
• Financial Controls: Adequate financial management and oversight strategies. (Point-Rated: 0, 5, 10 points)
• Phase 2 Overview and Plan: Overview of the prototype development plan for Phase 2, if applicable. (Point-Rated: 0, 5, 10 points)
• Commercialization Strategy: Plan for bringing the solution to market after Phase 2. (Point-Rated: 0, 5, 10 points)

Key information about the grant includes details on travel requirements and communication protocols for meetings.

• Travel to type B wood built RCMP holding cell in remote rural areas of Canada, possibly fly-in locations.
• Travel to type A non-combustible built RCMP holding cell in urban areas outside Ontario and Quebec.
• Kick-off meeting will be conducted by telephone or videoconference.
• Progress review meetings will be conducted by telephone or videoconference.
• Final review meeting will be conducted by telephone or videoconference.