AAS-2022/0008 - Specialised FFT Network Design Tool (NS), Offsite - FRI 4th Mar

Job content

Reissued with some alterations and corrections....

DEADLINE DATE: FRIDAY 4th MARCH 2022

Requirement Title: Specialized Contractor(s) - FFT network designer Tool

Location of Performance: Off-site

Fixed Cost Not to Exceed: €31k

Required Start Date: 04 April 2022

End Contract Date: 31 August 2022

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

OVERALL PROJECT SCOPE

1.1.Command and Control (C2) Service Line have a requirement for a subject matter expert to be embedded with team of NCI Agency staff in support of NATO HQ (NHQ) C3 Staff (C3S) Program of Work (POW) 2022.

Contractor will work offsiteand regularly coordinate their efforts with team using Agile/Sprint procedures already established.

This requires both face-to-face meetings and remote tele- or video-conferences.

Expertise is focused on:

• Development and validation of C2 FFT tool-set concept demonstrator requirements, architectural products and technical specifications
• Providing technical support for further development and bug solving of “FFT OPTASK tool” concept demonstrator
• Providing technical support for development of container infrastructure for “Friendly Force Tracking (FFT) Remote Access Testing Environment” (FRATE) concept demonstrator
• Other related areas will be technical input and implementation of measures to strengthen FFT tool-set security
  
  

This expertise is required to supplement current level of expertise within C2 SL, therefore contractor(s) must be ready to quickly integrate with current team and take up duties.

Work required will be based on submitted Delivery Acceptance Sheets indicating effort completed for each of deliverables as defined below.

• TASKS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICE
  
  

2.1. Following requirements have been identified to provide technical support for NHQ C3S POW 2022

2.2. FFT network designer Tool concept demonstrators

2.2.1. Background NHQ C3S and FFT CaT requested NCIA to research tools to support and simplify FFT network design process and to provide concept demonstrator. In response to request, NCIA designed and developed standalone “FFT network designer” tool set. NCIA need improvements of this concept demonstrator to be used at STCO22 and at CWIX22 exercises.

2.2.2. Requested activities to support this activity:

• Contractor shall participate in design and implementation of “FFT network designer” tool improvements, advancing following objectives:
• Improve tool usability
  
  

ii) Solve identified bugs

iii) Define and implement algorithms to support user in FFT network design

iv) Design and prototype secure message exchange

• Update message configuration messages to last version
• Contractor(s) should support refinement of FMN process for FFT information collect and FFT network design. Contributing as subject matter experts in these areas requires depth and breadth of knowledge in NATO FFT capabilities within NATO Command Structure as well as wider national FFT development and technologies.
• Contractors’ attendance at coordination meetings and exercise venues may be requested
• Contractor(s) shall offer:
• Expert knowledge of FFT OPTASK tool user needs and usage scenario
  
  

ii) Expert-level support for solution of open bugs in FFT OPTASK tool identified as listed and prioritized on NCIA NSF JIRA

iii) Expert-level support for identification of improvements to tools, satisfy user requirements and implementation of improvements

iv) Expert-level support for identification of tool security weakness, identification of corrective actions and implementation of corrective actions

• Expert level support in development of FFT OPTASK tool code making it suitable for NCIA accreditation
  
  

2.4.Deliverables

2.4.1.Mandatory deliverables:

• FFT network designer Tool initial prototype
• FFT network designer Tool final prototype:
• Source code documented and stored on NSF in line with NCIA requirements;
• MS Windows and Linux installer;
• release bulletin
• User manual
• installation manual
  
  

2.4.2. Optional deliverables:

• FFT network designer Tool prototype:
• gap analysis
• roadmap
• development and revision of technical documentation, as well as preparing briefings on changes
  
  

2.4.3. All deliverables are to be peer reviewed within deliverable cycle. Input and guidance will be provided by NCI Agency in written from or/and during targeted review meetings

2.4.4. Expected classification level of deliverables is NATO UNCLASSIFIED. However, in some particular circumstances it might be decided that a part of deliverables will be classified as NATO RESTRICTED

2.4.5. Execution of duties may require consultant to access information, as well as CIS systems, classified up to NATO SECRET.

2.4.6. Contractor will be required to provide technical support to NCI Agency team on an ad-hoc basis throughout contract period.

• PAYMENT SCHEDULE
  
  

3.1.This requirement is for delivery of products identified in Section 2.4. Payment will be provided based on these deliveries as indicated in following table:

Item Deliverables Value Invoice Date

1-1 Deliverables defined in section 2.4.1 A €18k 30 Apr 2022

1.2 Deliverables defined in section 2.4.1 B, C, D €13k 31 Aug 2022

3.2. Invoices shall be accompanied with Delivery Acceptance Sheet (Annex C) signed by project authority.

• SECURITY CLEARANCE
  
  

4.1.Contractor’s personnel assigned to this contract is required to hold a valid NATO SECRET security clearance.

• Work is expected to start on 04 April and end no later than 31 August 2022.
• TERMS
  
  

6.1.This is a Completion Contract requiring contractor with complementary skills to complete the work.

6.2.Optional deliverables may be exercised at discretion of NCIA and in agreement with contractor.

6.3.Work on contract will be performed offsite at contractor’s own office. Office space and computer equipment will be provided at NCI Agency, Netherlands for access during scheduled visits for duration of this contract; contractor is responsible for office space and computer equipment at their own facilities.

6.4.Extraordinary travel (Purchaser Directed Travel) may be required to other NATO or non-NATO locations as necessary so agility must be maintained. Requested travel to other NATO sites will be subject to NCIA Admin Directive 14.03 – Travel on Official Duty. Travel costs will be added separately, when and/if required.

6.5.NATO will retain intellectual property rights for all products developed in relation to this project.

Requirements

• Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET
• Expert knowledge of NATO FFT specifications ADatP-36, related profiles and emerging standards
• Expert knowledge of FMN FFT information management processes
• Expert knowledge of NATO C3 Policies, including Data Management Policy
• Knowledge of methods and mechanisms to resolve security label translation/mapping between NATO and NATO national systems
• Familiarity with NATO organisational and political structures (especially NHQC3S, ACT HQ. ACO HQ and NCI Agency) and relationships with NATO and Partner nations
• Ability to independently produce and edit technical documentation and scientific reports in English
• Excellent communications skills
  
  

Benefits

• Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET