Doing business with the United States military

National Defence, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and other government departments and agencies, assists Canadian companies in accessing the United States military market. Some programs supported by National Defence where Canadian industry has been involved include:

North American Technology and Industrial Base Organization (NATIBO)

The North American Technology and Industrial Base Organization (NATIBO) supports technology and industrial base activities, including the exchange of data between U.S. and Canadian military services, government agencies, and industry. NATIBO is committed to promoting a cost effective and robust technology industrial base with North America. NATIBO’s primary purpose is to:

  • identify and analyze key industrial sectors critical to defence
  • assess sector viability
  • identify issues and barriers related to sector viability
  • develop strategies to enhance and sustain the health of the marketplace

NATIBO conducts studies as part of the analysis of key industrial sectors to assess the capability of the Canada-U.S. defence industry in specific areas critical to defence. Past sector studies are available to the public on the NATIBO Reports and Studies (English only) web page.

If you are a Canadian company that has a particular interest in a future sector study or would like to propose a study for consideration, contact the International and Industry Programs Division.

For more information on the NATIBO, you can visit the NATIBO (English only) website.

Foreign Comparative Testing Program (FCT)

The Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program is a U.S. Department of Defense initiative designed to test and evaluate foreign items and technologies to determine whether the items satisfy U.S. military requirements or address mission area shortcomings.

The Department of National Defence, in collaboration with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Regional Development Agencies and the Canadian Commercial Corporation, facilitate Canadian industrial participation in the FCT program by actively identifying and matching unique, world class, non-developmental technologies with U.S. operational requirements. Since 1980, 95 Canadian companies have been sponsored for participation in FCT and 31 projects have resulted in procurements valued at approximately US$400 million.

If you are a Canadian company and would like to receive additional information or to express interest in participating in this program, contact the International and Industry Programs Division.

U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP)

National Defence is a user and stakeholder of the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP). The program protects unclassified military critical technical data and technology while allowing it to flow to certified U.S. and Canadian companies for legitimate business purposes. Access to unclassified military critical technical data, which has a military or space application, may be required to prepare a bid response or to perform a contract and/or to attend restricted and controlled meetings.

In Canada, the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program is administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada. For more information on this program, please visit the Government of Canada Joint Certification Program.

If you are a Canadian contractor seeking certification, you must complete DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Agreement, available on the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office (English only) website and send the completed form by mail or courier to:

U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office
DLA Logistics Information Service (VBA)
Federal Center 74 N. Washington Avenue
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-3084.

Telephone: 1-800-352-3572
Fax: 269-961-5303
Email: Joint Certification Program

The Canadian Representative to the Joint Certification Office can be contacted at 269-961-7431.

For more information on programs that support Canadian industry seeking business opportunities in the defence market in the United States, please visit:

For further information and assistance contact the International Industry Programs Division.

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