Deadline Date:
Tuesday 3 June 2025
Requirement:
Support to Concept Development for Minimum Level of Command and Control (C2) Service Capabilities in NATO-led Mission
s
Location:
Off-Site (with regular meetings in The Hague/or through video teleconference (VTC))
Not to Exceed:
2025 Base: NTE 18,630 EUR (6 Sprints at NTE 3,105 EUR each), 2026-2028 Options
Period of Performance:
2025 Base: 9 July 2025
Required Security Clearance:
NATO SECRET
Background:
- Under the 2025 NATO Digital Staff (NDS) project NCB02051, NCI Agency is providing support to the drafting of the Military Committee publication MC 0593/2. MC 0593 describes the Minimum Level of Command and Control (C2) Service capabilities in support of Combined Joint NATO led Operations. Revision 2 is required to perform the transition from NRF to ARF, and the introduction of a persistent networking approach in support of collective defence.
- This work is expected to contribute to the document focused on requirements in NATO led operations as outlined above, both for Out of Area and collective defence scenario.
- The inputs are sought by 31 Dec 2025 in a series of sprints.
Under the direction / guidance of the local NCIA Point of Contact, the objectives of the service are:
- Support the NDS led Tiger Team in the development and maturation of the content for MC 0593/2 Draft.
- Coordinate and Conduct editorial reviews of the MC 0593/2 Draft with Subject Matter Experts and Stakeholder Groups.
Scope Overview:
The Contractor is to provide support services to the MC 0593/2 Tiger Team, developing the content of the current draft. Improvement inputs shall be sought from external references such as:
- The federated requirements as expressed in current FMN documentation on (spirals 4 – 6).
- The draft of the high level operational concepts for persistent mission networking.
- Existing NATO best practices on CIS and DCIS network management and operations for NRF mission networks (in particular considering the responsibilities of NCIA and NCISG staff on the NATO provided assets and services).
- Other sources as found relevant.
Coordination and Reporting:
- The contractor shall report to the NCIA Task Lead.
- The Contractor’s Personnel shall work principally off-site.
- The Contractor’s Personnel shall participate in monthly status update meetings and other meetings, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, or physically in the office (when on site), according to service delivery manager’s instructions.
- The work will be conducted at the classified level as MC 0593/2 is classified at NATO Restricted.
- It is mandatory to have the incumbent to be in possession of a security clearance of NATO Secret or above, to enable access to relevant documentation and access to NATO facilities.
- All the documentation provided under this statement of work will be based on NCI Agency templates or as agreed with project point of contact.
- All scripts, models, documentation and required code will be stored under configuration management and/or in the provided NCI Agency tools.
- ONE single resource must provide these services. In the event the Contractor’s Personnel leaves during the contract period, a new resource who has the proven required qualifications and is evaluated qualified and suitable shall replace them. All normal NCI Agency Terms and Conditions apply.
- The Contractor’s Personnel is expected to provide services off site. Occasionally, service delivery on-site may also be arranged with the project manager.
- The contractor will be required to work within a NATO country, following the rules and regulations applicable for the operations of NATO CIS.
- Travel to other NATO and commercial sites is not expected, but may be required in order to complete the activities. These will be agreed between the Contractor and the PM as part of the planning of the monthly Sprint deliverables.
- If travel is required, travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the contractor and the expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Article 5.5 of AAS Framework Contract and within the limits of the NCIA Travel Directive. These costs fall outside the Not-To-Exceed financial limit for each Sprint.
NCIA Furnished Property and Services: Access to relevant classified networks and environments will be provided by NCIA. NCIA will equip the contractor with NR IT (Laptop).
Security Clearance:
- It is mandatory to have the incumbent to be in possession of a security clearance of NATO Secret or above, to enable access to relevant documentation and access to NATO facilities.
The consultancy support for this work requires a Service Engineer with the following demonstrated qualifications and experience (a minimum of 8 years of sound experience in these fields):
- Knowledge and experience in large and complex Communication and Information Systems (CIS) engineering and design, including Communication Systems, Networks, Infrastructure, Virtualization, Cloud, Security, Monitoring and Control, Interoperability
- Knowledge and experience in system architecture and design
- Knowledge in Enterprise and Capability architecture
- In-depth knowledge with SMC aspects, relevant frameworks and their implementation in large CIS networks
- Familiarity with CIS related international / commercial / industrial standards
- Experience with Military CIS systems
- Experience with deployable CIS systems (Military and/or Civilian)
- Experience in Service Design and Management
- Experience with management frameworks such as ITIL, PRINCE2, PMP, etc.
- Prior experience of working in an international environment.
- Knowledge of NATO political ambition and organizational structure.