Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom

1. Title: TWO STRATEGIC THINKERS – CONTRACTOR SUPPORT – EXPORTING OPPORTUNITY
2. Awarding Authority: Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills acting on behalf of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), GB. Web:
3. Contract type: Service contract
4. Description: Opportunity type NATO
Industry Defence
Description
The scope of this statement of work (SoW) is to define the requirements for contracting two (2) Strategic Thinkers in support of SALT multiple works in 2023, namely:
1. Contractor support to COGSUP WDI implementation, including COGSUP Program of Work and LTMSS Program of Work.
2. Contractor coordination and overseeing for research and execution of several follow-on in-depth Cognitive studies.
Within this framework, the contractors will work within SPP/SALT under the directives of the Branch Head, reporting to Head of Strategy Section for production issues and the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR), working in close coordination with the other staff officers, the other branches of SPP and HQ ACT in the topics listed above. The contractors will provide personal insights and understandings about cognitive and strategic topics, in particular pertaining to Russia and China, help in daily work coordination and collaboration efforts, and ultimately produce required deliverables for internal and external use.
Type of contract: This is a firm-fixed price Level of Effort contract in accordance with the general and special terms and conditions. As it is a Level of Effort contract with a maximum limit or fraction thereof as set in the SoW, all employer responsibilities for the Contractors personnel performing under this contract shall lie with the contractor.
b. Period of performance: Base Period is 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 with two 12-month option periods: 1 January – 31 December 2024, 1 January – 31 December 2025. Option Periods shall be exercised at the sole direction of the HQ SACT Contracting Officer, based on satisfactory of work performance, available funding, and on-going/evolving requirements. SALT requires full time, on-site support (all COVID-19 restrictions will be maintained with efforts to work remotely as they apply)
Surge Capability: A surge capability requirement is included to have a contract vehicle in place should emerging circumstances require a quick and temporary increase in contractor personnel or additional effort from existing personnel to meet new requirements within the scope of the existing Statement of Work. The contractor company shall be prepared to provide support services per labour category described above. The contractor shall be prepared to evaluate requirements and submit a price proposal for any new requirement for consideration by HQ SACT but not limited to the related areas above. Surge proposals against existing labour categories shall not exceed the initial proposed rate for the option period. Surge proposals for new labour categories shall be evaluated by the Contracting Officer for fair and reasonable pricing. Surge efforts will be incorporated by formal contract modification. Requests for pricing do not constitute any commitment by HQ SACT to contract for additional work; contractor will not be compensated or reimbursed for costs associated with proposal preparation.
The LoE is as per the requirements stated herein, corresponding to a full-time allocation of two (2) individuals to complete the tasks and activities described in this SoW. Contractor support is required for COGSUP implementation.
b. The contractors will be under the responsibility of the SALT Branch Head and will be involved in all aspects of SALT work, to include writing reports, coordination of webinars and working groups, and development of numerous products related to Warfare Development and cognition-related topics.
More specifically, the two contractors will be assigned to COGSUP IPT and will be required to:
Attend weekly SALT meetings, both scheduled and unscheduled, at the direction of the Branch head. Currently there is one scheduled branch meeting per week, with 1-2 impromptu meetings called when required;
Support implementation of COGSUP PoW and LTMSS PoW;
Travel to attend relevant external meetings/workshops/events;
Facilitate workshops and other related events;
Provide valuable input on NWCC and WDA (NATO SECRET) and offer ideas and related analysis;
Interpret political, economic, sociocultural, and technological trends and develop alternatives ways of assessment;
Conduct research and data analysis to inform strategic decisions, especially on Russia and/or China;
Understand and shape the NATO’s/ACT’s strategy and mission;
Develop plans to materialize long term strategy and analyse development proposals;
Conduct research to identify threats and opportunities;
Construct forecasts and analytical models;
Monitor and analyse global trends (cognitive topics, international relations, global security environment, industry and market changes, etc.);
Share ideas with multiple stakeholders and gain alignment from them;
Be available to ACT leadership for NWCC/WDA related requirements;
Collaborate as required with HQ SACT cross-functional teams to provide strategic thoughts and inputs;
Provide feedback about their work clearly and concisely;
Fulfil other specific WDA related tasks as directed by the SALT Branch Head.
This is a LoE contract with a maximum limit or fraction thereof as set forth in the SoW.
Professional qualifications:
The contractors shall have:
Demonstrated experience in corporate, government, or academic environment in analysis in the area of cognition, international relations and security studies;
Experience in strategic analysis of Russia and/or China;
Staff experience at operational and strategic level;
A basic understanding of Strategic Foresight, Global Strategy and Innovation Management, Strategic Planning and Execution, Strategic Gap Analysis, Strategy Implementation, Futures Thinking and Digital Transformation;
University degree in international relations, business administration, economics, public administration, operations research or related discipline;
A solid background in policy/strategy analysis and the associated staff work (8-10 years recommended);
Previous experience in an international organization / governmental organization, preferably NATO experience.
The contractors shall have:
An ability to build cooperative relationships with academia and governmental partners;
The capacity to work under general direction within a clear framework of accountability with substantial personal responsibility;
An ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment;
The capacity to work effectively as the member of a multinational and multi-disciplinary team;
Execute a broad range of complex professional or technical work activities in a variety of contexts;
An ability of disciplined and systematic approach to problem solving;
An ability for a comprehensive approach based on credible evidence, the most probable counterarguments and risks;
Excellent ability of using contemporary office tools, including MS office and communications systems;
Excellent written and oral skills.
SALT requires full time, on-site support. Nevertheless, by exception, work may be performed remotely from contractor’s facility, except for the works on NATO SECRET network. Contractor Travel may be requested, but will be agreed upon through both parties.
The decision of working remotely or in HQ will depend on Branch head determination.
Contract performance and administration
Assigned by the contracting officer (in the purchasing and contracts branch) is the Contracting officer technical representative (COTR).
The COTR shall:
provide direction, guidance and support information to the contractors;
resolve outstanding disputes, problems, deficiencies, and/or questions on the technical aspect of the SoW;
review and approve all contractors’ duties for completeness and accuracy;
review the contactors’ work on a weekly basis or as needed.
The COTR’s written approval of work reported and deliverables submitted is mandatory for Contractor invoices to be successfully processed. The COTR shall receive a letter of appointment from the Contracting Officer that describes in detail his/her roles and responsibilities to which he or she shall sign for formal acceptance.
The contractors are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO code of conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and HQ SACT conduct, security and safety regulations, and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability and professionalism.
The Contracting Officer has final authority (in consultation with the COTR) to determine if the contract/SoW should be amended, extended, modified or cancelled for evolving requirements, new tasking, and/or technical non-performance.
Contractors reporting
The contractors shall submit a monthly report to the contracting officer, via the COTR, detailing progress on the SoW for the reporting period. The report shall include, but be limited to, the following information:
summary of work for tasking and deliverables during reporting period;
current or anticipated problems/deficiencies and recommended solutions.
The COTR reserves the right to amend the reporting requirements to receive alternate/additional data and information on a more frequent or less frequent basis, and to request other reports that detail designated aspects of the work or methods to remedy problems and deficiencies. The COTR may identify missing, erroneous or unnecessary requirements or tasking. The contractors are expected to work closely with other team members, SMEs, and designated HQ staff. Consequently, the contractors are expected to promptly address all identified problems and deficiencies, providing the COTR with written information on how the problem shall be corrected and any impact to on-going work.
Proofs of past performance
The contractors are to provide a minimum of one citation of past performance to show successful completion of work that is similar to or directly traceable to the requirements outlined in this SoW.
The citation shall include the following information at a minimum:
summary of work performed that is similar to or directly related to this SoW;
status of work;
outcome of above mentioned work performed, including examples of written work;
date of work performance;
name of client or employer;
complete contact information for client or employer;
written permission to contact client or employer for reference.
Contractor technical evaluation
Each contractor’s submission to the invitation for international Bid shall be judged on a combination of pricing and technical information provided in response to this SoW. Subject to HQ SACT evaluation of the bids, HQ SACT may conduct technical clarification discussions with proposed candidates. HQ SACT reserves the right to engage in full and open competition after exclusion of sources.
Furnished materials
In order to perform the work required under this SoW, HQ SACT shall provide all necessary working space: office furniture, telephones, computers, software, peripherals and support equipment; office supplies, classified and unclassified storage space, access to classified and unclassified NATO wide area networks (WAN) – granted on an as needed basis to individuals with appropriate security clearances – and the Internet for work to be performed at all NATO sites. The contractors are not authorized to make any permanent or non-permanent physical modifications to the HQ SACT facilities.
Security
a. Security clearances: the contractors shall possess a minimum NATO Secret facility security clearance (FSC), and all contractor employees performing work on this contract shall possess a minimum NATO secret personal security clearance (PSC). No waiver to these requirements shall be granted.
b. Security policies: the contractors must adhere to all current NATO, HQ SACT and national security policies, directives and guidelines for the duration of the contract.
c. Security restrictions: the contractors shall abide by the security restrictions regarding carrying and using electronic devices in HQ SACT. The contractors shall be responsible for satisfying the necessary security clearance from HQ SACT Security Office before bringing any such device, personal or contractor owned, into the HQ SACT work environment.
d. Building, installation access: the contractors shall be fully responsible for ensuring that they have all needed vehicle passes and decals, and individual access badges and documents for appropriate access to the HQ SACT facility. The contractors shall submit requests for site access to SACT HQ, Attention Security Office and 7857 Blandy Road, suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23551-2490.
Export control
NATO nations have regulations and laws applying to the export of defence-related goods/services originating from domestic commercial sources to foreign entities. Usually under those laws and regulations, NATO is considered a foreign entity. The following requirements of this SoW are provided in order to allow the bidder/contractors the opportunity to assess the applicability of their pertinent national laws and regulations and take action, as required.
Intellectual property
All services, products and intellectual property provided under this SoW will be delivered for the sole ownership of and the copyright by HQ SACT.
5. CPV Code(s): 79000000, 79410000
6. NUTS code(s): UKC, UKD, UKE, UKF, UKG, UKH, UKI, UKJ, UKK, UKL, UKM, UKN
7. Main site or location of works, main place of delivery or main place of performance: NATO
8. Reference attributed by awarding authority: Not provided.
9. Estimated value of requirement: Not provided.
10. Opportunity closing date 2.11.2022 (00:00:00).
11. Address to which they must be sent: For further information regarding the above contract notice please visit:
12. Other information: TKR-20221015-EX-1895895