Deadline Date: Tuesday 18 February 2025
Requirement: UHF SATCOM Support Technician Services
Location: Norfolk, VA, UNITED STATE
Full-Time On-Site: Yes
Time On-Site: 100%
Not to Exceed: 2025 Sprints: Maximum of 84 sprints, each NTE €2,565
NTE € 215,460.
Required Start Date:1 April,2025
Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET
Introduction:
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is seeking a UHF SATCOM Support Technician for the NATO Integrated Mobile Service Centre (NIMSC) located at JFC Norfolk, Virginia, USA. The contractor will provide services to support lifecycle management of UHF SATCOM capabilities. This position is crucial to ensure the delivery of reliable SATCOM services supporting NATO operations, exercises, and missions.
Objectives:
The main objectives of this Statement of Work (SOW) are to:
Ensure operational support for strategic, operational, and tactical UHF SATCOM and HF services across NATO.
Maintain and manage the lifecycle of UHF SATCOM and HF systems to ensure reliability, scalability, and operational readiness.
Provide second‐level technical support, configuration, maintenance, and incident resolution for NATO UHF SATCOM and HF systems.
Scope of Work:
Under the direction of the SATCOM UHF Segment Service Delivery Manager, the contractor shalldeliver the following services using agile methodology structured around multiple sprints:
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of SATCOM Systems:
Provide comprehensive O&M support for NATO UHF Static installations, including software‐programmable Tactical Satellite (TACSAT) units.
Oversee the operation, setup, and maintenance of related communication systems, ensuring a healthy state of all supporting Information Systems and Services.
Provide second‐level operational and technical support for NATO personnel, including deployed Out of Area channel controllers.
Configuration and Technical Support:
Configure, set up, and maintain software, including Clearcom audio matrix equipment in relation to the Operational Communications Plan
Implement the programming and configuration for each TACSAT and HF terminal using system‐specific applications, ensuring secure and efficient satellite communication.
Establish, publish, and maintain the DAMA/IW Terminal Base Address (TBA) database for deployed NATO users.
Incident and Problem Management:
Proactively carry out incident, fault analysis for all UHF SATCOM and HF services, and develop engineering change proposals to address any identified issues.
Participate in hazard mitigation and emergency interventions on‐site and coordinate necessary emergency support.
Conduct fault and trend analysis, suggesting improvements to enhance service reliability.
Documentation and Reporting:
Prepare and maintain operational manuals for UHF and HF terminals.
Create and update system engineering documentation, including configuration control records and technical standards.
Provide regular status reports, including operational engagement reports, risk assessments, and sprint summary reports, as agreed during planning meetings.
Coordination and Support Activities:
Liaise with NCIA Program Managers to support Project Support Requirements (PSR) and Critical Urgent Requirements (CUR).
Coordinate with NIMSC SATCOM Operations regarding SHF, TACSAT and HF equipment movements, ensuring seamless communication between different NATO entities.
Provide technical expertise in inspections, configuration change proposals, and system enhancements for UHF IW and HF equipment.
Travel and Out‐of‐Hours Work:
The contractor will be required to undertake business travel to NATO and national facilities, including potential travel to operational theatres both inside and outside NATO boundaries.
The contractor may need to work outside regular office hours, including weekends and holidays, to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and support during NATO operations and exercises.
Constraints:
All the deliverables provided under this statement of work will be based on NCI Agency templates or agreed with the UHF Service Delivery Manager.
All code, scripts, documentation, etc. will be stored under configuration management and/or in the provided NCI Agency tools.
NATO will retain the intellectual property rights for all products developed in relation to this project.
Security:
The contractor must hold NATO Secret (NS) clearance.
Practical Arrangements:
Service on the contract will perform the majority of the work on‐site at JFC Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Office space and computer equipment will be provided by NCI Agency.
Extraordinary travel (Purchaser‐Directed Travel) may be required to other NATO or non‐NATO locations as necessary so agility must be maintained.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Article 5.5 of AAS+ Framework Contract.
This work must be accomplished by ONE contractor.
Coordination and Reporting:
The contractor shall actively participate in daily stand‐up meetings, sprint planning, sprint retrospectives, and any other meetings, either in‐person or remotely, as directed by the Service Delivery Manager.
For each sprint, the contractor shall verbally report on the outcomes of the work during the retrospective meeting, followed by a written summary submitted within three (3) days after the end of the sprint.
Requirements:
Security:
- The contractor must hold NATO Secret (NS) clearance.
Qualifications:
THE FOLLOWING EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS REQUIREMENT:
The contractor must possess the following qualifications and experience:
Essential:
- Education: University Degree in Telecommunications, Electronics, or a related field, with at least two years of post‐related experience; or Higher Vocational Training with a minimum of five years of post‐related experience.
- SATCOM Expertise: Minimum of three years of practical experience in SATCOM systems, including UHF, SHF, HF and/or EHF systems.
- Technical Expertise: Familiarity with modern military communication networks, including interfaces, protocols, and experience with SATCOM Operations.
- Customer Service and Incident Management: Experience in service management (incident, problem management, etc.) and a customer‐focused approach in a control centre environment.
- NATO Environment: Prior experience working in a NATO or multinational military setting, with a solid understanding of NATO operational standards and protocols.
- Clearcom Matrix qualified on set up and programming for all engineering aspects.
Desirable:
- Team Leadership: At least one year of experience as a team leader in a technical environment.
- Advanced Telecommunications Knowledge: Expertise in secure military telecommunications, including practical knowledge of CIS, communications protocols, and diagnostic testing.
- Familiarity with UHF Equipment: Experience with DAMA/IW terminal configurations and maintenance of secure computer systems.
- Familiarity with HF Equipment: Experience with terminal configurations and maintenance of secure computer systems.
Competencies and Personal Attributes:
- Decisive and Action‐Oriented: Ability to take initiative, work independently, and make clear, timely decisions under challenging conditions.
- Results‐Focused: Strong focus on customer satisfaction and quality, with a consistent record of accomplishment of achieving project goals.
- Relating and Networking effective communicator who can build strong relationships with customers and colleagues at all levels.
Travel Requirements:
- The contractor will be required to travel frequently between NCIA offices and potentially to operational theatres, both within and outside NATO boundaries.
Supervision and Working Environment:
- The contractor will work closely with the SATCOM UHF Segment Service Delivery Manager, as well as liaising with Network/CIS Control Centres and NCIA‐CSU.
- The working environment will be a mix of normal office settings and potential field settings during travel or deployments.