Airspace De-confliction Study
CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. leveraged the extensive Air Traffic Control (ATC) experience of its team members to join efforts with the Université Laval in exploring the potential of developing decision aid tools to support airspace de-confliction processes. The study entailed evaluating the degree and functionality of automated systems currently in use and under development in ATC modernization projects, namely the Military and Civilian Air Traffic Systems (MATS) and (CATS). Presented to the Director of Air Requirements (DAR) in June 2005, the study clearly identified the ATC system deficiencies and outlined potential improvements focused on optimizing the use of airspace in Canada.
Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) and the Primrose Lake Evaluation Range (PLER) Management, Use and Development Study
The overall objective of the proposed study was to produce for the Department of National Defence a document that clearly articulated the current and future (out to 2017) management, use and development of the CLAWR and PLER as a prime training and test establishment for defence forces. At the end of this 10-month project, CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. delivered a 237-page final report that defined the requirements for the long-term used of the CLAWR/ PLER as a prime training and flight test areas, assessed the non-military interests related to the CLAWR/ PLER, and identified the requirements for improving the use of both ranges for DND to 2017. As such, detailed accounting was made of advancements in CF-18 weapons such as Short-Range-Air-to-Air Missile (SRAAM), Advanced Medium-Range-Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), Advanced Multi-mission Infra-Red System (AMIRS) and Advanced Precision Guided Munitions (PGM), advancements in training aid technology such as Surface Threat Electronic Warfare (STEW), Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI), and Advanced Distributed Combat Training System (ADCTS) and advancements in flight test technologies such as Time, Space and Positioning Instrumentation (TSPI). As well, the report presented to the Wing Commander, 4 Wing Cold Lake, provided recommendations on balancing the pressures on and the future use of the CLAWR with specific emphasis on the effective management of environmental, aboriginal and industrial co-use.
Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (SRAAM) Project
CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. was under contract with Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona to provide support to their efforts in securing the SRAAM contract with DND. Subject matter expertise (SME) advice and technical support was provided in capture plan development, liaison with DND and other government agencies, strategic marketing planning, assessment of system requirements and proposal development, publication and responses.
Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS)
CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. was under contract with Raytheon Service Support division – Calgary, Alberta to provide SME strategic, technical and project management advice for the pursuit and capture of this 10-year contract worth M to provide combat support aircraft, electronic warfare equipment and turn-key in service support (ISS) to DND. CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. led the technical proposal team in developing a cost-effective operational concept, confirming organizational feasibility and mitigating corporate and customer risk to ensure compliance in the provision of safe and effective combat support services. This included authoring and/or overseeing the production of two (2) technical volumes and one (1) management volume prepared along strict tabular format (TF!) proposal guidelines.
Snowbird Aircraft Replacement Project (SARP) Statement of Requirement (SOR)
Since the creation of the Snowbirds in 1970 from CF training assets in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, there had never been produced an SOR clearly delineating the need for an air demonstration capability in the CF and the requirements of the aircraft that conducted the mission. As part of SARP, Colonel (retired) Marc Ouellet was contracted by DAR to research, consolidate and write the SOR outlining the need for 431 Air Demonstration Squadron and the capabilities of future air demonstration aircraft should the Tutor be replaced. The SOR, which was accepted by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) in 2002, has been the cornerstone of the SARP and project staffing to date.
Kosovo Air Conflict – Lessons learned
In February 2000, CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. was contracted by the Department of National Defence’s Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) to participate in a joint DHH/Chief of the Air Staff project to evaluate and write an operational history of Canadian air operations conducted over the Former Republic of Yugoslavia in the late winter of 1998 and spring of 1999. With the assistance of Top Aces Inc. which was sub-contracted by CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. to complete this task within the required timelines, operational lessons learned from the Kosovo Air Conflict were submitted to DHH for incorporation into a comprehensive, all-encompassing report to be eventually reviewed by the Canadian Forces and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Independent Mission Assurance Review Process – 8 Wing Trenton
In January 2000, the Commander 8 Wing had a requirement for the services of a bilingual, on-site contractor to perform a survey of operational commanders, organizational support branch heads, aircrew, ground crew, and other specialists to assess the then-aircraft maintenance program at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton. The survey was conducted over a three-month period and a comprehensive written and verbal report – including recommendations for improvements – was provided to the Commander 8 Wing. This task was performed within the required timelines and was under budget.
Market Analysis / Competitive Intelligence
CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. has an in-house market analysis/competitive intelligence capability and has supported numerous clients with unique requirements in performing such work, producing reports, and briefing corporate management-level personnel on findings and recommendations.
Project Proposal Subject Matter Expertise (SME) and Due Diligence Support
While CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. held – and currently has – a number of yearly retainers with various clients, the firm has the surge capability and expertise to support companies of all sizes to pursue opportunities and respond to Requests for Proposals (RFP). CIRRUS Research Associates Inc’s own record in winning competitions it chooses to enter is characterized by a high level of success. For example, one of Cirrus Research Associates Inc’s clients, Raytheon Canada Support Services (RCSS) in Calgary, was recently awarded the Project Management, Advisory, and Monitoring Services (PAMS) to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) contract portion of the Global Partnership Program (GPP), specifically in the field of Nuclear Security and Facility Protection in the Russian Federation (RF). CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. provided competitive intelligence analyses, subject matter experts to develop the client’s proposed bid, and sub-contractor candidates, a number of the latter whom eventually became full members of the winning team.
Mergers and Acquisitions (M & A) Due Diligence
CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. has expertise in conducting confidential M & A evaluations. Indeed, personnel of the firm have participated in due diligence acquisition and merger projects both domestically and internationally. One such project concerned the potential acquisition of a foreign company by a client of the order $1.2 B.
Coaching
Since 1998, CIRRUS Research Associates Inc. has been the exclusive provider for Ontario and Western Canada of the internationally reputed Coaching de gestion ‘Leadership through Coaching’ course. Through a human resources approach based on motivation rather than control, this 3-day course spaced over six (6) weeks, is focused towards today’s busy entrepreneurs, executives and administrators who increasingly face the challenge of initiating and maintaining a high levels of commitment among their staffs. Graduates of the course from numerous government departments and industry attest to the Leadership through Coaching techniques for ease of communication, clearer lines of responsibility, and the value of shared decision making.
Clients who have sent personnel to attend this course include Alstom, the Banque Nationale, Bombardier Inc., the Department of National Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Region, Hyperion, and Raytheon Canada.
