CANEUS Organization Invites
Researchers, Consultants and Agencies / Organizations
to Submit Proposals for the Preparation of CANEUS Pilot Projects Concept Papers
and Process Workshops Background Papers for the CANEUS 2004 Conference

<< Extended RFP Deadline: March 1, 2004 >>

Overview
CANEUS is a nonprofit organization that benefits the worldwide aerospace community by fostering coordinated international development of MNT (Micro-Nano-Technologies) for aerospace applications. As a "hands on" organization, CANEUS is focused on the practical aspects of transitioning MNT rapidly and efficiently into aerospace systems. This objective is achieved via a mechanism of initiating pilot projects followed by full-scale development and manufacturing of MNT-based systems. In achieving this goal, CANEUS brings together MNT developers, aerospace end-users, government policy makers, and investors from across the US, Europe, Canada, and Asia Pacific. CANEUS is also responsible for co-organizing the CANEUS 2004 conference with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), NASA and the CLS3 from Canada,to be held November 1-5, 2004 in Monterey, California, USA. CANEUS 2004 will be a public forum for discussions on MNT-based system development for aerospace applications, leading to a selection of few pilot projects aimed at such development. AIAA is the largest technical society for aerospace professionals worldwide, devoted to the progress of science and engineering in both aviation and space.

As one of the preparatory activities for CANEUS 2004, the CANEUS conference organization committee is commissioning the compilation of concept and background papers on each proposed pilot project topic. The purpose of these papers will be to provide CANEUS members and conference participants with sufficient information on the current status and promising future trends for transitioning novel MNT concepts into aerospace system implementations. This request for proposals (RFP) covers the development of the following:

A. CANEUS Pilot Projects Concept Papers: The Conference Organizing Committee has selected a number of novel MNT concepts, which it believes could be transitioned to aerospace systems. Each concept paper will provide the conference participants with the technical and programmatic background necessary to evaluate the current status in terms of technological maturity, key players in a particular technology arena, potential investors, aerospace end-applications and users, market potential, and the challenges involved in the development.

B. CANEUS Process Workshop Background Papers: Selected concept papers will serve as the basis for discussions during focused "process workshops" conducted during the later half of the CANEUS 2004 conference. These workshops will address important aspects of the technology development cycle for aerospace systems. The background paper for each process workshop will guide the discussion by highlighting the principal issues to be considered for a particular aspect of the technology development.

It is the expectation of the CANEUS 2004 conference organizing committee that the above concept and background papers will be well-researched and prepared on the basis of input obtained from several international organizations, industries, government agencies, academia and experts involved in or interested in MNT-driven technology development for the aerospace sector crossing international boundaries. Once selected, the bidders can expect to work in close collaboration with the conference organizing committee to deliver a product that meets the committee's expectations.

A. CANEUS Pilot Project Concept Papers
The Pilot Project Concept Papers are well-researched documents that provide the background for focused discussions during the CANEUS 2004 Process Workshops. Each Concept Paper will contain a summary of the maturity of the current technology for the MNT concepts under consideration, as well as the steps needed to advance the concepts to the system level applications. The Concept Papers will make the case for development of the MNT concepts by addressing (a) key remaining technology elements that need to be developed for end user applications, (b) organizations that can provide the necessary expertise and infrastructural support, (c) potential sources of funding from governmental, industrial, and institutional sources in the selected technology areas, (d) challenges related to intellectual property management across different organizations, and (e) pertinent governmental policies that could impact future development. CANEUS is seeking qualified individuals or organizations to conduct the above research on specific pilot project concept papers in advance of the workshops. A list of the topics for the CANEUS Pilot Project Concept Papers is provided below. Interested bidders are requested to respond using the provided RFP document format.

B. CANEUS Process Workshop Background Papers
The CANEUS 2004 conference will include workshops addressing the various aspects of the process for successfully transitioning promising MNT concepts to aerospace applications. The CANEUS conference committee is soliciting well-researched "Background Papers" for each process workshop. These background papers will set general guidelines for the discussion of the Pilot Project Concept Papers by educating the attendees in the important steps of pilot project definition, intergovernmental agreements, intellectual property management, obtaining funding and issues related to end-user production implementation. The responder will draw from the knowledge base acquired by various international organizations as well as previous attempts at conducting international collaborations aimed at technology development. A list of CANEUS Process Workshop Background Papers is being developed for possible RFPs at a later date.

General Instructions for Bidders
Organizations can submit proposals to CANEUS for more than one RFP and are eligible to receive awards for multiple concept papers and/or background papers. However, each proposal must be provided in a separate submission with the CANEUS ID number clearly identified. As well, organizations should list the principal investigator for each RFP along with any applicable price discounts to CANEUS for multiple awards.

Bidding organizations and individuals acknowledge that CANEUS will not pay any costs for proposal preparation. As well, CANEUS reserves the right to cancel any RFP prior to contract award without compensation to any bidder.

Contact

Questions may be submitted to:
Milind Pimprikar
CANEUS Chairman
mp@caneus.org
Tel: 1-514-499-3959