2025-0311 Provision of Services Related to THOR and APSS (NS) - TUE 28 Oct

Deadline Date: Tuesday 28 October 2025

Requirement: Provision of Services Related to the Implementation of Space Threats Operational Response (THOR) and Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS)

Location: The Hague, NL

Full Time On-Site: Yes

Time On-Site: 100%

Period of Performance: BASE period: As soon as possible, NLT 17 Nov 2025 – 31st December 2025

Options to extend:

OPTION 1: 1 Jan 2026 – 31st December 2026

Special option 2026.1: Intense Sprint: 2 full weeks (to be scheduled based on mutual agreement)

Special option 2026.2: Intense Sprint: 2 full weeks (to be scheduled based on mutual agreement)

OPTION 2: 1 Jan 2027 – 31st December 2027

Special option 2027.1: Intense Sprint: 2 full weeks (to be scheduled based on mutual agreement)

Special option 2027.2: Intense Sprint: 2 full weeks (to be scheduled based on mutual agreement)

OPTION 3: 1 Jan 2028 – 31st December 2028

Special option 2028.1: Intense Sprint: 2 full weeks (to be scheduled based on mutual agreement)

Special option 2028.2: Intense Sprint: 2 full weeks (to be scheduled based on mutual agreement)

Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 To strengthen the Alliance through connecting its forces, the 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.

1.2 NATO HQ and the NCIA are jointly pursuing the Space Threats Operational Response (THOR) and Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS). These initiatives are at different points of maturity but both programmes serve NATO and the nations and present an opportunity to enhance and accelerate the use of space within NATO and the Alliance. Both initiative support NATO’s new Commercial Space Strategy agreed by Defence Ministers in February as well as its upcoming implementation plan.

1.3 The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), Chief Technology Office (CTO), Space Technology and Resilience Team (STAR) located in The Hague, The Netherlands, is currently involved in the development of new capabilities for NATO in cooperation with NATO Headquarters Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments (D2IA) Division, and as such is looking for a part time liaison coordinator.

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 The main objective of this statement of work is to seek part time support in development of liaison related documentation aimed at furthering the multinational initiatives like THOR and other space initiatives.

2.2 The CTO-STAR and Space Section within HQ-D2IA is looking for a service that can provide foundational documents in support of THOR and other space initiatives.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 Under the direction of the CTO-STAR and HQ-D2IA, the service provided will deliver services having the following main activities:

3.1.1 To the CTO-STAR team, provide products needed to support the development of THOR and other space initiatives;

3.1.2 To the HQ-D2IA Space Section, facilitate the establishment of potential multinational cooperation arrangements for Allied contributions to the THOR and APSS programmes, including through industry and Allied engagements in close coordination with the HQ-D2IA Head of Space Section;

3.1.3 Provide products needed to support to establish alignment of purpose between THOR and the NATO HQ and NATO nations.

3.1.4 Provide products needed to support CTO-STAR activity to ensure THOR processes are coherent with ACO processes, systems and services.

3.1.5 Provide products needed to ensure coordination with IS-D2IA, NCIA and other stakeholders of THOR or other space initiatives are understood and supported.

3.2 The services will be delivered in Sprints, and each sprint will have the duration of 3 months.

3.3 The content and scope of each sprint will be agreed during the sprint-planning meeting, in writing, based on the activities mentioned above. These may include but not limited to:

3.3.1 Research and write an Allied Nation centric programme description of THOR/APSS and outline the national perspectives;

3.3.2 Research and write a description/recommendation of a forum for nations to coordinate space effects and outline the national perspectives;

3.3.3 Research and outline implications commercial space strategy for THOR/APSS capabilities;

3.3.4 Research and outline potential national capabilities for THOR/APSS;

3.3.5 Define options for THOR/APSS national forum Terms of Reference;

3.3.6 Outline communications plan for THOR/APSS;

3.4 The following deliverables are expected from this statement of work:

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

3.4.2 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.

3.5 The services shall be provided in close collaboration between the Contractor and NCIA/IS as described below:

NCIA- CTO: STAR Project lead and main stakeholder

NATO-HQ- D2IA-Space: Main stakeholder in NATO HQ

Contractor: To provide deliverables identified above.

4. PAYMENT MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES

4.1 Payment Schedule will be at the end of each sprint of thirteen working weeks, following the acceptance of the sprint report.

4.2 The NCIA team reserves the possibility to exercise a number of options, based on the same deliverables, timeframe and cost, at a later time, depending on the project priorities and requirements.

4.3 The payment shall be dependent upon successful acceptance of the sprint report and the Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) – (Annex B).

Invoices shall be accompanied with a Delivery Acceptance Sheet (Annex B) signed by the Contractor and the NCIA POC.

4.4 2025 BASE: 17th Nov 2025 to 31 December 2025

Deliverable 01: SPRINTS for services related to the programme management support of Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) and Threats Operational Response (THOR)

Quantity: 1

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

4.5 2026 OPTION: 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Deliverable: Up to 4 sprints in 2026

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

2026 SPECIAL OPTION: 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Deliverable: Up to 2 sprints in 2026

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

2027 OPTION: 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027

Deliverable: Up to 4 sprints in 2027

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

2027 SPECIAL OPTION: 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027

Deliverable: Up to 2 sprints in 2027

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

2028 OPTION: 01 January 2028 to 31 December 2028

Deliverable: Up to 4 sprints in 2028

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

2028 SPECIAL OPTION: 01 January 2028 to 31 December 2028

Deliverable: Up to 2 sprints in 2028

Payment Milestones: Upon completion of the sprint and at the end of the work.

5. COORDINATION AND REPORTING

5.1 The contractor shall deliver services on-site in NCIA, The Hague, NLD

5.2 The contractor will be provided with a workspace at NCIA, The Hague, NLD.

5.2 Occasionally, the contractor will be required to work from the NCIA HQ Site in Brussels, Belgium. This will be treated as travel and the cost will be reimbursed to the contractor, as per section 9 of this SoW.

5.3 The contractor shall report to the Head, STAR and Head, Space Section HQ-D2IA.

5.4 The contractor will provide services, one day a week (preferably Monday, but subject to change based on mutual agreement), during NCIA business hours (Mon-Thu 08:30-17:30, Fri 08:30-15:30) 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 NCIA.

5.5 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.

5.6 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 NCIA POC briefly mentioning the work held and the achievements during the sprint.

6. SCHEDULE

6.1 This task order will be active immediately after signing of the contract by both parties.

6.2 The BASE period of performance is 17th Nov 2025 (tentative start date) and will end no later than 31st December 2026.

7. SECURITY

Performance of the services described in this SOW require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance within 6 months of the start of the engagement.

8. CONSTRAINTS

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

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

9. PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

9.1 This is a deliverables-based contract.

9.2 The contractor shall provide services On-site NCIA, Den Haag, NLD. Exceptional off- site activities to support service delivery can also be arranged with the line manager’s coordination and approval.

9.3 There may be requirements to travel to other sites within NATO for completing these tasks.

9.4 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.

9.5 Unless otherwise specified in the Task Order, travel costs associated with awarded Purchase/Task Orders will be processed by the Purchaser and reimbursed directly to AAS+ Framework Contractor personnel, in accordance with the Purchaser Internal Policy. Travel requirements vary by requirement and shall be communicated to personnel in accordance with Article 7.1.2. Note that each AAS+ Framework Contractor is responsible for all liabilities during performance of Travel, and the AAS+ Framework Contractor indemnifies the Purchaser regarding these liabilities.

9.6 The work depicted in this SOW is expected to be carried by a single contractor.

10. QUALIFICATIONS

[See Requirements]

7. SECURITY

• Performance of the services described in this SOW require a valid NATO SECRET security clearance within 6 months of the start of the engagement.

10. QUALIFICATIONS

The consultancy support for this work requires junior political science graduate with the following qualifications:

10.1 Technical Qualifications

10.1.1 Essential

• Minimum 6 months experience in international organisation
• Motivated, good communication skills, team player;
• Operational ISR experience;
• Good understanding of the Alliance’s political and military consultative processes, including at NATO HQ, 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;
• Knowledge of security studies;
• Experience with the NATO Intelligence Enterprise related activities;
• Have experience, knowledge and interest with Space technologies, Space Intelligence and security;
• Hold a degree in the field of political science, business administration/development or crisis and security management; Or exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate’s abilities and track experience record in the field of intelligence, international security, Space, IMINT and GEOINT
• Excellent English writing and communication skills. Concise and clear.

10.1.2 Desireable

• NATO Headquarters experience;
• Strong and persuasive communication and negotiation skills;
• Comfortable performing in a fast-paced, dynamic environment;
• Be proactive and show a high interest in learning and continuous improvement.

10.2 Professional Qualifications

• Knowledge of NATO responsibilities and organization;
• Experience with Space implementation strategy within NATO;
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office;
• Motivated, good communication skills, team player.