Tender: RPAS-Deployable Integrated Topo-Bathymetric LiDAR System for NRC Centre for Drone Innovation

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The National Research Council of Canada’s Centre for Drone Innovation (part of the Drone and Flight Autonomy Laboratory) is seeking a supplier for one integrated topographic and bathymetric (topo-bathymetric) LiDAR system deployable from medium-class Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to support research, development, testing, method validation and operational deployments. The system must provide a single factory-integrated payload that captures above-water topography and shallow-water bathymetry using a green 532 nm laser, record full-waveform returns unconditionally for every pulse, offer user-selectable measurement rates up to at least 200 kHz with at least 15 returns per pulse and 16-bit intensity, and provide selectable beam divergence of at least 1–6 mrad. Required capabilities include minimum 2 m water penetration in clear water, an effective scanning field of view of at least 40° perpendicular to flight direction (≥20° off-nadir), integrated survey-grade GNSS/INS with post-processed horizontal accuracy ≤5 cm, vertical ≤10 cm, roll/pitch ≤0.02° and heading ≤0.05° compatible with Applanix POSPac (including required post-processing licence), an integrated co-aligned RGB camera of at least 20 megapixels, onboard solid-state and removable storage, IP64 environmental protection, operation to −10 °C and storage to −20 °C, manufacturer-supported hydrographic processing software covering the complete RPAS topo-bathymetric workflow with export to common formats (including LAS), delivered boresight and camera calibrations with documentation, comprehensive technical manual, payload weight ≤12 kg and 18–34 VDC power operation, manufacturer-performed repairs or via authorized providers, training for up to four NRC personnel on the full RPAS-based topo-bathymetric workflow, a minimum 12-month manufacturer warranty including software updates and technical support, provision of a routine maintenance schedule and hardware support, and delivery to NRC-DFAL, Ottawa within twelve weeks of contract award (or mutually agreed date).