The Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, as well as the Minister of Industry, the Honourable Tony Clement, announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Insitu Inc. of Bingen, Washington, USA, to provide small unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV) services to support the Canadian Forces.

"As a result of a fair, open and transparent competition, we now have a contract to provide SUAV services that our Canadian Forces will be able to use in Afghanistan and beyond," said Minister Paradis. "We moved quickly last summer to meet our short term needs," he added. "This procurement will not only add to the SUAV fleet for our Forces, but will provide best value for Canadian taxpayers while stimulating our economy."

As part of the Request for Proposal, Insitu Inc. must provide 100 percent industrial and regional benefits. This means that Insitu Inc. will boost the Canadian economy by generating one dollar of economic activity in Canada for every dollar it receives from the contract. Canada's Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy applies to this procurement. As such, Insitu Inc. is required to undertake high quality and advanced-technology business activities in Canada in an amount equal to 100 percent of the contract value. This means that the company will invest one dollar of economic activity in Canada for every dollar it receives from the contract. "The Government of Canada remains committed to generate the greatest amount of economic benefit to Canadian industry and the economy at large through its major defence procurements," said Minister Clement. "Canada's Industrial Regional Benefits Policy is in place to ensure that prime contractors encourage long-term industrial development and generate significant economic activity in Canada."