Deadline Date:
Monday 3 November 2025
Requirement:
Provision of services related to the implementation of Space Threats Operational Response (THOR)
Location:
Ramstein, DENMARK
Full Time On-Site:
Yes
Time On-Site:
100%
Not to Exceed:
2025 BASE: half a sprint, total NTE € 5,850
Period of Performance:
BASE period: 08 December 2025
Required Security Clearance:
NATO SECRET
Please do NOT
apply for any NATO contract positions unless you meet ALL the following criteria:
- Current National or NATO SECRET clearance
- Nationality of one of the NATO member countries
- Current work visa for the specific location if applying for an in-country position
Any applications that do NOT meet all the above - and do not CLEARLY show these on the CV - will be deleted.
Introduction:
- To strengthen the Alliance through connecting its forces, NCIA delivers secure, coherent, cost effective and interoperable communications and information systems in support of consultation, command & control and enabling intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, for NATO, where and when required. It includes IT support to the Alliances' business processes (to include provision of IT shared services) to the NATO HQ, the Command Structure and NATO Agencies.
- The NATO Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSpCC) is the Component Command that provides the space competency for the Alliance and is responsible for integrating, coordinating, and synchronizing NATO and Partner space operations, activities, and investments in support of Alliance multi-Joint Operating Area (JOA)/multi-domain operations (MDO). The CFSpCC Plans Branch is the primary unit responsible for delivering, developing, coordinating, reviewing, and updating the Space aspects of the Deterrence and Defense of the Euro-Atlantic (DDA) Family of Plans (FoP). The Plans Branch identifies the ends, ways, and means of employing space effects, forces, and combat capability in support of the DDA FoP.
- NCIA, ACT, ACO (incl. CFSpCC) are jointly pursuing the Space Threats Operational Response (THOR) initiative to enhance and accelerate the use of space within NATO and the Alliance.
- The MC approved the BiSC Vision for Space for NATO, shifting the NATO approach to address Space Threats to deter and defend in the Space domain.
- ACO is currently revising the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) Family of Plans (FoP) accordingly, but this operational planning effort will take a few months to elaborate on operational requirements derived from the DDA revision.
- At the same time, the Washington summit mandated that "NATO should accelerate the integration of Space into planning, exercises and multi-domain operations".
- Results from exercises and wargaming conclude that the NATO Command Structure has a requirement to deter aggressions and defend the Alliance's Space layer, key to operational superiority.
- The Space Threats Operational Response (THOR) initiative is a new NATO multinational effort that ensures Alliance access to Space as a critical operational domain. THOR aims to deliver a range of active and passive deterring and defensive options to NATO to preserve and secure and defend NATO's vital, but vulnerable, access to Space and nuclear deterrence.
- The THOR lnitiative is the vehicle to integrate voluntary national contributions, with NATO's contributions, in order to develop a full range of military options against Space threats, ahead of future operational and defence planning activities.
Objectives:
The main objective of this statement of work is to seek support in development of the THOR initiative framework and related implementation through the development of playbooks and their integration in NATO plans.
The NCIA Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Space Technology Adoption and Resilience (STAR) team is looking for a service that can provide foundational documents in support of THOR, with a specific focus towards the responsibilities of the CFSpCC.
Scope of Work:
Under the direction of the CFSpCC/S5 plans in coordination with CTO-STAR, the incumbent will provide the following deliverables within the scope of the THOR initiative:
- Provide subject matter expertise on current space policy including NATO, National, International, and commercial entities
- Integrate THOR Playbooks into NATO operations and plans
- Playbooks are triggered by an adversary event and include three elements: a defined response option, a relevant set of instructions and considerations to execute it, ways and means to access / orchestrate the necessary effects.
- Example of playbooks include but are not limited to: Offensive actions in Space (e.g., rendezvous and proximity operations); Offensive ground and space based actions affecting Space capabilities (e.g., SATCOM and GPS jamming); Adversary's Space-enabled offensive actions (e.g., precision guided munitions).
- Playbook development and operationalization - Threat Analysis, Response options to threat analysis, Response and effect prioritization, Technology identification (within nations, adopt or buy)
- Provide space operational planning and execution expertise regarding national and commercial space capabilities
- Support NATO Space Coordinators with planning and management of regional plans
- Coordinate with CFSpCC/S7 and act as operational planner for space training, operations, and exercises
- Develop local CFSpCC and NSpOC Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) based on THOR playbooks
- Develop CFSpCC and NSpOC guidance related to THOR and Space Plans
- Deliver reports summarizing space operational planning and execution expertise regarding national and commercial space capabilities related to THOR
- Provide inputs to NATO Space Coordinators with planning and management of regional plans
- Other appropriate duties as directed by the CFSpCC.
The following deliverables are expected from this statement of work:
- Complete the activities/tasks agreed in each sprint meeting as per sections 2 and 3 above.
- Produce sprint completion reports (format: e-mail update), which include details of activities performed. Specifically, the reports and products delivered and meeting attended to support the product development.
NCIA - CTO STAR: Project lead and main stakeholder
NATO - ACT and SHAPE Space Branch: Main stakeholders in BiSC
NATO - CFSpCC: Main stakeholder in ACO
Contractor: To provide deliverables identified above.
Coordination and Reporting:
- The contractor is expected to work on-site at AIRCOM, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Remote work is possible with routine travel to NATO AIRCOM-CFSpCC, but has to be agreed by CFSpCC and NCIA.
- The Contractor shall be included in Plans Battle Rhythm meetings and other meetings, physically in the office, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to service delivery manager's instructions.
- The contractor shall report to NCIA STAR Head, in coordination with CFSpCC.
- The contractor will provide services during NCIA business hours for day-to-day tasking and supervision of personnel work assignments, subtask activity definitions, travel/TDY requirements and work quality assurance, performance evaluation. Sign-off any given task will be the responsibility of the CTO, Head STAR at the NCI Agency.
- The Contractor shall participate in quarterly status update meetings and other meetings, physically in the office, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to service delivery manager's instructions.
- For each sprint to be considered as complete and payable, the contractor must report the outcome of his/her work during the sprint, first verbally during the retrospective meeting and then in writing, within three (3) working days after the sprint's end date. A report in the format of a short email shall be sent to NCI Agency POC briefly mentioning the work held and the achievements during the sprint.
- This is a deliverables-based contract.
- The contractor shall provide services at AIRCOM, Ramstein (Germany). Exceptional off-site activities to support service delivery can also be arranged with the line manager's coordination and approval.
- There may be requirements to travel to other sites within NATO countries for completing these tasks.
- Travel costs are out of scope and will be borne by the NCI Agency separately in accordance to the provisions of the AAS+ Framework Contract. 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.
- The work depicted in this SOW is expected to be carried by a single contractor.
Qualification:
The consultancy support for this work requires the following qualifications:
- Previous experience of 2 to 4 years in planning at operational or strategic level in NATO or in a national public or private environment
- Need to understand successful approach taken by the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS).
- Management skills such as Prince2 programme management best practices, and the ACT "learn by doing" rapid capability development objectives.
- Ability to support the development of effects and actions that enables NATO to respond to adversary space events, both:
- Good understanding of the Alliance's political and military consultative processes, relevant to Space, and key security policy issues on its agenda
- Experience with NATO Multinational Space Initiatives and developing political and multinational programme products
- Experience of engaging with Allied stakeholders to effectively discuss their national space capability needs
- Experience & knowledge of Space capabilities sector and in an international environment
- Motivated, good communication skills, team player
- Excellent English writing and communication skills. Concise and clear
- Valid security clearance at minimum NATO SECRET level
- NATO and/or military experience desired
- Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization
- Comfortable performing in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Be proactive and show a high interest in learning and continuous improvement
- Experience with Space implementation strategy within NATO
- Knowledge of MS Office