Deadline Date: Friday 16 May 2025
Requirement: Specialized Consultant for Implementation & Support Services in Line with AI Technologies
Location: Ramstein, DE
Full Time On-Site: Yes
Time On-Site: 100%
Period of Performance: 2025 BASE: 01 July – 31 December 2025
2026 OPTION: 01 JAN – 31 MAR 2026
Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET
1 OVERALL PROJECT SCOPE
NISC BA has a requirement to enhance the current local AIRCOM Data Science CIS providing high-powered desktop computers (with dual-monitor and KVM switch), GPU servers, supporting equipment (smartboards and wall monitors), data diode and A2SL-approved software through project NSP019994 – CIS Infrastructure to support Data Science Capability. The NCIA will procure, deliver, install and test the above-mentioned equipment and software.
For this requirement, NCI Agency is looking for support for the implementation & support related to the above.
2 SCOPE OF WORK
It is envisioned that for this support ONE resource is required, providing the services to be provided on site at HQ AIRCOM, Ramstein under the direct guidance of the PJOA Operational Analyst and the NCIA project manager.
Main services to be provided are related to the following activities:
- Supports to the local CSU in the area of Data Science processes;
- Applies data engineering standards and tools to create and maintain data pipelines and extract, transform and archive data;
- Automates collecting, cleaning, transforming and archiving various datasets, followed by exploratory analysis to identify anomalies, defects and missing data.
- Selects from existing data sources and prepares data to be used by data science models;
- Applies existing data science techniques to new problems and datasets using specialised programming techniques. Develop AI solutions to maximize the effectiveness and speed of data pipelines and data archiving;
- Designs, codes, verifies, tests, documents, amends and refactors moderately complex programs/scripts;
- Applies agreed standards and tools to achieve a well-engineered result;
- Test the applications via application provisioning;
- Contributes to the creation of reports, technology road mapping and the sharing of knowledge and insights. Collaborates in reviews of work with others as appropriate;
- Evaluates and monitors models’ performance and creates data pipeline visualizations and dashboards to report performance of models;
- Builds Virtual Machines, including user, firewalls and resources management (hardware and software);
3 ROLES AND RESPONSABILITIES
The services are to be carried on site at AIRCOM’s HQ premises, Ramstein, Germany.
The services will be conducted during normal office hours following the HQ’s calendar.
The consultant’s expertise is necessary to supplement the current level of expertise within the Data Science Team, so a quick ramp-up within the team is required.
The consultant will provide services under the direct supervision of the PJOA Operational Analyst/AIRCOM HQ and NCIA project manager and will provide services using an agile an iterative approach using monthly sprints. Each sprint is planned for a duration of one (1) month. The content and scope of each sprint will be agreed with PJOA Operational Analyst during the sprint-planning meeting.
PJOA Operational Analyst/AIRCOM HQ: Monitors and evaluates service performance
NCIA project manager: Manages project budget
Contractor: To provide services and deliverables as identified above
4 DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Detailed resource assessments will be agreed during each sprint meeting as set out in Section 5.
Payments shall be dependent upon the successful acceptance of each sprint and the validation as set out under Section 5. All Invoices shall be accompanied with a Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS, Annex A) signed by the Contractor and Data Science Team Leader.
Each sprint has a duration of one (1) month. The content, scope and acceptance criteria of each sprint will be agreed during the sprint‐planning meetings as covered in Section 5. Each payment milestone cycle is planned for a duration of one calendar month. Upon completion and validation of each sprint, all completed sprints can be submitted for payment.
The NCIA team reserves the possibility to exercise a number of sprints at a later time, based on the same sprint deliverable timeframe and cost, depending on project priorities and requirements.
In 2025, the following deliverables are expected from the service as set in this statement of work:
4.1. 2025 BASE: 01 July – 31 December 2025
Deliverable: 6 sprints / Specialized Consultant for implementation & support services in line with AI technologies
Payment Milestones: Payment Milestones will be at end of the month
4.2. 2026 OPTION: 01 JAN – 31 MAR 2026
Deliverable: 3 sprints / Specialized Consultant for implementation & support services in line with AI technologies
Cost Ceiling: Price will be determined by applying the price adjustment formula as outlined in CO‐115786‐ AAS+ Special Provisions article 6.5.
Payment Milestones: Payment Milestones will be at end of the month
5 COORDINATION AND REPORTING
Due to the AGILE approach of this project, there is a need to define a set of specific arrangements between the NCI Agency and the contractor that specifically defines the deliverables to be provided for each sprint as well as their associated acceptance criteria. This includes sprint planning, execution and review processes, detailed below:
a. Sprint Planning:
Objective: Plan the objectives for the upcoming sprint
Kick-off meeting: Conduct a monthly meeting with the contractor to plan the objectives of upcoming sprint and review contractor`s manpower to meet the agreed deliverables.
Set sprint goals: Define clear, achievable goals for the sprint and associated acceptance criteria, including specific delivery targets, Quality standards as well as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each task to be recorded in the sprint meeting minutes.
Agree on the required level of effort for the various sprint tasks.
Backlog Review: Review and prioritize the backlog of tasks, issues, and improvements from previous sprints.
Assess each payment milestone cycle duration of one calendar month. State of completion and validation of each sprint status and sign off sprints to be submitted for payment as covered in Section 4.
b. Sprint Execution:
Objective: Contractor to execute the agreed “sprint plans” with continuous monitoring and adjustments.
Regular meetings between NCI Agency and the contractor to review sprint progress, address issues, and make necessary adjustments to the processes or production methodology. The Meetings will be physically in the office, or in person via electronic means using Conference Call capabilities, according to the NCI Agency project manager’s instructions.
Continuous improvement: Contractor to establish a continuous feedback loop to gather input from all stakeholders for ongoing improvements and their subsequent implementation depending on NCIA approval.
Progress Tracking: Contractor to use a shared dashboard or tool to track the status of the sprint deliveries and any issues.
Quality Assurance/Quality Check: Contractor shall ensure that the quality standards agreed for the sprint deliverables are maintained throughout the sprint.
Quality Control: NCIA to perform the Final Quality Control of the agreed deliverables and provide feedback on any issues.
c. Sprint Review:
Objective: Review the sprint performance and identify areas for improvement.
At the end of each sprint, there will be a meeting between the NCI Agency and the Contractor to review the outcomes against the acceptance criteria comprising sprint goals, agreed quality criteria and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Define specific actions to address issues and enhance the next sprint.
d. Sprint Payment:
For each sprint to be considered as complete and payable, the contractor must report the outcome of their work during the sprint, first verbally during the retrospective sprint review meeting and then in writing within three days after the sprint’s end date. A report must be sent by email to the NCI Agency project manager, listing all the work achieved against the agreed tasking list set for the sprint.
The contractor's payment for each sprint will be depending upon the achievement of agreed Acceptance Criteria for each task, defined at the sprint planning stage. This will include specific delivery targets, quality standards as well as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each task.
The payment shall be dependent upon successful acceptance as set in the above planning/review meetings. This will follow the payment milestones that shall include a completed Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) – (Annex A) including the EBA Receipt number.
Invoices shall be accompanied with a Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) – (Annex A) signed by the Contractor and project authority.
If the contractor fails to meet the agreed Acceptance criteria for any task, the NCI Agency reserves the right to withhold payment for that task/sprint.
6 SCHEDULE
This task order will be active immediately after signing of the contract by both parties.
The base period of performance is as soon as possible but not later 1st of July 2025 and will end no later than 31st of December 2025.
If the sprints of the additional option are exercised, the period of performance is within 1st of January 2026 to 31st of March 2026.
7 SECURITY
a. The Contractor shall be aware of all security rules pertaining to the handling of NATO classified information. For this particular, project attention shall be given to the following regulations:
Personnel Security Clearance (PSC). Individuals who require access or may have access to information classified NC or above during the course of their duties shall have a PSC, at the appropriate level, which is valid for the duration of the authorized access. In addition, such individuals are required to: Have a need-to-know; Have been briefed on their security obligations in respect to the protection of NATO Classified Information; and have acknowledged their responsibilities in either writing or an equivalent method which ensures non-repudiation.
b. The services will be provided at the AIRCOM HQs premises, Ramstein, Germany.
There is no expected travel foreseen for the incumbent contractor.
c. Local CSU will provide access to relevant networks and resources as required by the project.
8 CONSTRAINTS
All the documentation provided under this SOW will be based on NCI Agency templates and/or agreed with the NCIA project manager.
All support, maintenance, documentation and required codes will be stored under configuration management and/or in the provided NCI Agency tools.
All developed solutions, tools and code under this project will be property of the NCI Agency.
9 TRAVEL
The contractor will provide the services under this SOW and carry them at the AIRCOM HQ premises, Ramstein, Germany. There is no expected travel foreseen.
10 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Access to all relevant systems can be provided by NCI Agency through the local CSU. Working environment is at AIRCOM HQ premises, Ramstein, Germany.
Working environment is a normal office environment.
A sole contractor must accomplish this work, and identified as the primary contractor for each sprint. In the event that the contractor leaves during the contract period, a new contractor who has the proven required qualifications and is evaluated qualified and suitable shall replace them, having received a training and handover of the performed history of the project. All normal AAS+ framework contract Terms and Conditions apply.
The contractor will access the AIRCOM networks as a member of the AIRCOM Data Science Team under the supervision of PJOA Operational Analyst who will be the main Point of Contact (POC).
11 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
[See Requirements]
12 SECURITY CLEARANCE
The duties of the consultant require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance.
Requirements
11 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
For the execution of this contract, a resource with data engineer skills is required to provide the services. The following qualifications is required:
* At least 5 years of demonstrable experience in Data Engineering and Network admin;
* Sound knowledge of scripting (PowerShell) including provisioning/changing Azure resources;
* Hands on experience in building virtual machines, snapshot, DRS concept, clustering hosts;
* Experience in VMWare Horizon, creating and tweaking gold images according to Microsoft guidance using the latest recommendations;
* Sound knowledge of VMWare Horizon Linked Clones, Instant Clones and Thin App;
* Strong analytical skills;
* Strong Anaconda/Python scripting skills, including the Dagster library (desirable);
* Excellent written and oral communication skills;
* Strong problem-solving skills;
* Expertise in information technology domains such as Cloud
* Computing and IT Infrastructures.
12 SECURITY CLEARANCE
* The duties of the consultant require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance.