2025-0001 Operational Serv. Support NISC ID&E OPEX (CTS) ITALY - 5 Jun RELAUNCH

Deadline Date: Thursday 5 June 2025

Requirement: Operational Service Support for NATO NISC ID E OPEX – Network Engineer

Location: Grazzanise, ITALY

Full Time On- Site: Yes

Time On- Site: 100%

Not to Exceed: 2025 BASE: 5 sprints, ( Not to Exceed) NTE € 17,280 / sprint, total Not to Exceed (NTE) € 86,400 2026, 2027, 2028 OPTION

Period of Performance:21 July 2025

Required Security Clearance: NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET

Introduction:



• NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) provides end-user services to customers throughout NATO. These end-users services are supported by Innovation, Deployable &Engineering (ID E) - Operations &Exercises (OPEX) provided by the NATO Infrastructure Services Centre (NISC) Business Area of NCIA. All services provided by NCIA, regardless of whether they are end-user services or supporting services, are under the responsibility of Service Delivery Managers (SDM).


• The NATO Infrastructure Service Centre (NISC) Business Area Lead (BAL) is accountable for planning and executing the full lifecycle management activities (design, transition and operations) for the identified area of responsibility. NISC provides generic, domain independent, technical functionality that enables and facilitates the operation and use of Information Technology resources. NISC services (including: subject matter expertise; acquisition; project management, operations and maintenance; and, disposal) are provided in the following technical domains: Network Services
(to include routing, switching and transmission services), infrastructure hosting, storage and processing, infrastructure networking, HW and SW management, databases and web platform
services, as well as identity management. Services are provided throughout the lifecycle to both internal and external customers in both static and deployable settings.

Objectives:
The main objectives of this statement of work can be summarized as follows:



• Ensure high-quality, continuous support for DCIS service


• Provide continuous monitoring and pro-active administration of the DCIS service


• Develop and deploy iterative updates to the DCIS services, aligning with evolving business requirements.

This SOW covers the Operations and Maintenance (O M) of Deployable CIS Services across
multiple security domains (NU, MS, NS).

Scope Of Work:
The following deliverables are expected from this statement of work:



• Complete the activities/tasks agreed in each spring meeting as per sections 2 and 3 above.


• Produce sprint completion reports (format: e-mail update), which include details of activities performed. Specifically, the resolved number of tickets will be broken down into number of
Incidents, Service Requests (work orders), Change Requests, Tasks, and Requests for Information or Internal Activities, traceable through ITSM.


• The Contractor will participate in the daily reporting and planning activities (daily stand- ups) as well as the required participation in workshops, events and conferences related to the supported services, as requested by the Service Delivery Manager or deputy.

Coordination and Reporting:



• The content and scope of each sprint will be agreed with the service delivery manager during the sprint-planning meeting, in writing.


• Services need to be provided during standard working hours of NCIA.


• The contractor shall report to the Line-manager Manager (or deputy).

Security:



• Performance of the services described in this SOW requires a valid NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET. NATO SECRET security clearance can be accepted, prior to the start of the engagement with COSMIC TOP SECRET clearance in process. The COSMIC TOP SECRET shall be obtained during the first year of the execution of deliverables under this SoW.


• The Contractor SHALL ensure that all the Contractor staff or anyone working under the remit of the Contractor requiring recurring access to on-site locations for the delivery of the services under this SoW, have a valid NATO Personal Security Clearance at least to the NATO COSMIC TOP SECRET level.

Constraints:



• All the documentation provided under this statement of work will be based on NCIA templates or agreed with project point of contact.


• All scripts, documentation and required code will be stored under configuration management and/or in the provided NCIA tools.

Practical Arrangements:



• This is a deliverables-based sprints contract


• The contractor shall provide services On-site at Location of Performance in FSP2 Naples. (IT).


• The work will be executed mainly onsite but some sprint will be other NATO entities. Remote work cannot be performed offsite NATO entities since the nature and classification of the work which requires the contractor to be present at the office. Exceptionally requests can be agreed on a case by case basis.

Qualifications:
The consultancy support for this work requires the following qualifications:

Technical Qualifications:
At least 8 years’ progressive experience in complex network engineering roles:



• Design, implementation and support scalable enterprise network infrastructures leveraging BGP, MPLS, I Pv6, OSPF, IS-IS.


• Active CCIE (R S, Enterprise Infrastructure or Service Provider) certification is required.


• Deep knowledge of BGP, including route reflectors, confederations, communities, path manipulation, and filtering (iBGP, eBGP, policy control).


• Proficient in QoS design, shaping, policing, and classification techniques for converged networks. Extensive experience in fine-tuning QoS policies to support mission-critical applications and voice services. Knowledge of QoS configuration and traffic classification
models (CBWFQ, LLQ and WRED).


• Proven expertise in I Pv6 implementation, troubleshooting and dual-stack environments with a strong focus on I Pv6 adoption and transition strategies.


• Deep knowledge and experience with: policy-based routing, route aggregation and summarization, redistribution, VRF, MPLS traffic engineering.


• In-depth knowledge of multicast protocols (PIM sparse/dense mode, IGMP, MSDP, Anycast RP) and their use in real-world deployments. Configuration and troubleshooting of multicast protocols.


• Proficient in datacenter and switching technologies (STP, MSTP, RapidPVST, Ether Channel, LACP, Virtual Stack, Stack Wise, Cisco Nexus NX-OS, Spine- Leaf Architecture, VXLAN)


• Strong troubleshooting skills with tools like Wireshark, Net Flow and SNMP. Knowledge of network monitoring concepts.


• Hands-on experience with SD-WAN technologies.


• Familiarity with Dev Net, API integrations, and network programmability.


• Knowledge of network security best practices (AC Ls, firewalls, VP Ns, IP Sec, AAA, Role Based Access Control, Public Key Infrastructure, security-hardening concepts).


• Proficient in network automation and scripting ( Python, Ansible, Terraform).

Preferred Skills:



• Integration and support voice over IP ( VoIP) solutions, including SIP trunking, call routing and voice gateway configurations.


• Experience in cloud networking


• Knowledge of Segment Routing (SR, S Rv6)


• Knowledge and understanding of the latest software defined (SDN) networking technologies: VM Ware NSX, Cisco ACI


• Configuration management practices and tools


• Knowledge of ITIL IT service management model


• Experience and applied knowledge of Service Transition


• Proven ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with good briefing skills


• Strong and open communication skills


• Entrepreneur and strong networking skills


• Autonomous, problem-solver and drives towards results

Professional Qualifications:



• Must have excellent spoken and written English communication and presentation skills, as demonstrated by recent experience (within the past 5 years)


• Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with users, team members and stakeholders


• Must demonstrate the ability and self-motivation to work on his/her own but must also work well within groups as part of a team


• Must demonstrate an ability and keen sense for problem-solving


• Motivated, good communication skills, team player


• Able to work independently with minimal supervision


• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization.