Ontario Construction News staff writer
OTTAWA – Defence Construction Canada (DCC) has issued an advance procurement notice for a major expansion to the nation’s signals intelligence headquarters, a project estimated to cost between $150 million and $300 million.
The project, designated as “CSE New Building 8,” involves the design and construction of a self-contained, purpose-built extension to the Communications Security Establishment’s (CSE) existing infrastructure in Ottawa’s east end.
According to the notice published by DCC, the new structure will be physically integrated into the current facility. The project will be delivered through a Modified Design-Build (MDB) contract.
This project was originally reported in the DataBid.com daily feed to Ontario Construction News
The Crown corporation anticipates initiating the solicitation process in the spring of 2026, pending final approval to proceed from the CSE.
“Specialized functions” and secure expansion
While the procurement notice offers limited details due to the sensitive nature of the work, the scope includes the design and build of the new space, as well as its connection to the existing building. The project may also include the construction of a new parkade.
The notice describes the building as an extension of current operations intended to provide “additional space to support business growth and specialized functions.”
In the context of the CSE—Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence and cyber operations—”specialized functions” typically refers to high-security zones known as Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), as well as server capacity requiring significant power and cooling infrastructure to support cryptographic and data-processing activities.
Context: A growing intelligence campus
The new “Building 8” will likely be an addition to the Edward Drake Building, the CSE’s current headquarters at 1929 Ogilvie Rd.
Opened in 2014, the Edward Drake Building is a 775,000-sq. ft. structure characterized by its distinct glass architecture. It was originally constructed as a public-private partnership (P3) with the Plenary Group to consolidate the agency’s previously scattered workforce.
The need for a layout between $150 million and $300 million signals a significant footprint expansion. Since the opening of the original headquarters, the CSE’s mandate has expanded substantially, particularly following the Communications Security Establishment Act (2019), which authorized the agency to conduct active foreign cyber operations.
The agency has been aggressively recruiting to meet the demands of an increasingly volatile global cyber threat landscape, placing pressure on its existing real estate.
Timeline and requirements
DCC states that the project will carry strict security requirements. Contractors bidding on the eventual solicitation will likely need to possess or obtain high-level facility security clearances, a standard requirement for infrastructure projects involving Canada’s “Five Eyes” intelligence partners.
Questions regarding the Advance Procurement Notice can be directed to Priscille Vumi at DCC, phone (343) 596-6289 or pr************@********gc.ca).
