Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom

1. Title: SKYNET 6 LEAD ARCHITECT
2. Awarding Authority: Ministry of Defence – Strategic Command – Defence Digital, GB. Web:
3. Contract type: Service contract
4. Description: The SK6 Lead Architect will operate at the Programme layer of the SKYNET 6 Programme and provide architectural guidance as well as work with the individual SK6 projects.
5. CPV Code(s): 72000000, 72227000
6. NUTS code(s): UKK, UKK1, UKK15
7. Main site or location of works, main place of delivery or main place of performance: Location South West England
Address where the work will take place MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham SN13 9GB
8. Reference attributed by awarding authority: Not provided.
9. Estimated value of requirement: Maximum day rate £ 695 per day (Ex VAT),
Maximum £ 2000 limit of liability for T&S over duration of 12 months (only in advance agreement with MoD line manager)
10. Closing date for applications 30.7.2021 (11:59 pm).
11. Address to which they must be sent: For further information regarding the above contract notice please visit
12. Other information: Deadline for asking questions Friday 23 July 2021 at 11:59pm GMT
Specialist role Technical Architect
Off-payroll (IR35) determination Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply
Latest start date Wednesday 1 September 2021
Expected contract length 31 August 2022 with an option to extend for up to a further 12 months
About the work
Early market engagement
Who the specialist will work with Civilian, Military and contractors within the MOD and wider Defence industry.
What the specialist will work on The Lead Architect operates at Programme level:
Continue developing the Satcom Reference Architecture (SRA) which will provide architectural guidance;
Work with SK6 projects to deliver architectural artefacts within the ArchiMate model. Including consistency with existing artefacts and supporting the development of the SRA/SRD;
Work with the Requirements Team, ensuring coherence between Requirements/Architecture;
Maintain existing BiZZdesign/MooD architecture models;
Coordinate meetings, workshops etc. to ensure SK6 integration with the wider System of Systems;
Develop interface specifications;
Use architecture to explore use/edge cases, eliciting new systems requirements and evolving the architectural design of the SoS;
Focal point for architecture, interacting with other teams
Working arrangements Full-Time, 37 hours per week, remote working possible but attendance in office required, generally between 3 – 5 days a week.
Security clearance Valid SC required.
Clearance must be in place prior to the contract starting and for the duration of the contract due to the projects the individual is required to work with.
Additional information
Additional terms and conditions Additional terms and conditions may be used
Skills and experience
Buyers will use the essential and nice-to-have skills and experience to help them evaluate suppliers’ technical competence.
Essential skills and experience
Experience in designing and implementing Communications Systems and IT infrastructures, in accordance with MODAF/NAF4, TOGAF and ITIL; [10%]
Strong background in Systems Engineering; [5%]
At least 5 years’ recent experience as a solution / system architect; [5%]
At least three years proven experience working in the Space domain/industry, with a good understanding of ground systems, management systems, satellite payloads, user terminals etc. in a military context; [10%]
Experience with Defence IT domain, with a good understanding of IT networks and IP networking; [10%]
Proficiency in: [10%] o Satcoms service delivery and operations; o Space operations and military satcoms (including threats); o Spacecraft subsystems including payloads and TT&C;
Proficiency in: [10%] o Ground systems including transmission, modems, baseband, user terminals, security; o Management Systems including Service, Network, Payload, Platform etc.; o RF communications, link budget design;
Good understanding of current satcoms users in UK Defence and future deployed systems; [5%]
Ability to translate requirements into architecture design; [5%]
Experience with ArchiMate 3 language, using business, application, technology elements applied to satcoms systems; [5%]
Experience of creating architectural models using CASE tools; [5%]
Strong verbal and written skills; [5%]
Nice-to-have skills and experience
Experience of developing requirements specifications and linking requirements and architecture; [5%]
Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in relevant discipline, preferably Systems Engineering or similar; [2%]
Good understanding of MOD deployed and fixed networks / systems that have dependencies with satcoms; [2%]
Experience of BiZZdesign tooling; [2%]
Experience working within Defence Digital; [2%]
Knowledge of JSPs 604, 441, and 906; [2%]
How suppliers will be evaluated
All suppliers will be asked to provide a work history.
How many specialists to evaluate 5
Cultural fit criteria Demonstrate how you work with other people
Additional assessment methods
Reference
Interview
Evaluation weighting
Technical competence
65%
Cultural fit
5%
Price
30%
TKR-2021716-EX-1652559