# 2026-0076 Next Generation Networks and Secure Communications (NS) - MON 22 Jun > EMW, Inc. · Netherlands (Remote) · Contract · Posted 2026-06-09 **Workplace:** remote **Department:** AAS ## Description **Deadline Date:** Monday 22 June 2026 **Requirement:** Next Generation Networks and Secure Communications Technical Study **Location:** Offsite, with meetings through video teleconference (VTC) **Note:** Please refer to your Subcontract Agreement, article 6.4.1.a, which states “Off-Site Discount: 5% (this discount is applicable to all requirements, and applies when the assigned personnel are permitted to work Off-Site, such as at- home)". Please be sure to price this discount in your overall price proposal when submitting bids against off-site RFQs **Period of Performance:** ASAP, not later than 3 August 2026 until 31 March 2027 **Required Start Date:** ASAP, not later than 3 August 2026 **End Contract Date:** 31 March 2027 **Required Security Clearance:** NATO SECRET **Number of Resources:** One (1) single resource required **1\. BACKGROUND** As part of the Multinational Collaboration of 5G (MN5G) Project, NCIA is providing subject matter expert support (SME) to the assessment of 5G/IMT technologies for military applications. A specific work package (WP) named 'Awareness and Influence' has been created by the MN5G Project Board to accommodate this task. This work is expected to contribute to the complete assessment of current 5G/6G technology trends, capability development activities and military use cases that are being developed by NATO bodies and nations. As part of this WP, NCIA was tasked to develop common Next Generation Networks (NGN) architectures that will allow NATO to build robust 5G networks. This task will not only cover the networking aspects but also the security aspects that are essential to explore. The outcome of Secure Communications related tasks of this contract will be used by NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division to inform pertinent policies and strategies. **2\. OBJECTIVES** Under the direction and guidance of the local NCIA Point of Contact, the objectives of the service are: 1\. Providing consultative support for industry to develop an NGN Comms Architecture Study. The Study shall deliver architecture views including requirement analysis and architecture options summarised in a presentation material. 2\. Drafting a 5G white paper in NCIA standard technical report format for one of the technical topics that are relevant to NATO. The list of topics will be provided by NCIA SME. 3\. Updating the 5G readiness assessment that was previously conducted. 4\. Drafting a technical report to update the previous assessment of the use of 5G/6G technologies for military applications. This report should be built on the previous NCIA studies (which will be made available). 5\. Delivering a brief presentation for the MN5G Project Board to present the findings of the technical assessment. 6\. Performing a review of Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD). **3\. SCOPE OF WORK** **3.1 Scope Overview** The Contractor is to provide support services to the MN5G Project Board, and NATO Cyber and Digital Transformation (CDT) Division Programme of Work (PoW) by developing technical artefacts, reports and experiments on NGN and Secure Communications. The scope of this contract covers the following activities and deliverables: 1\. NGN Architecture Development 2\. 5G White Paper Development on the selected topics 3\. 5G Readiness Survey and Military Readiness Assessment Update 4\. Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD) Review 5\. Advanced IP Management Experimentation (OPTION) NCIA staff will provide oversight and inputs that shall be taken into account in the conduct of the service but which shall not waive the Contractor's responsibility for the deliverables. The Contractor will be responsible to manage their own working time in order to meet the agreed deliverables by their respective due dates. **4\. DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT MILESTONES** All deliverables are to be peer reviewed within their delivery cycle. Input and guidance will be provided by NCIA in written form and/or during the targeted review meetings. For each scheduled delivery, a Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS) shall be provided to the Purchaser. The Purchaser will confirm acceptance by signing the DAS. **4.1 Schedule of Deliverables** **Deliverable D1: Project Kick-off and Requirements Analysis** **Description:** Kick-off meeting minutes including the analysis of the project requirements and activities that shall be performed during the period of performance, an initial roadmap and review of milestones; documented requirements mapped to sources (stakeholders/use cases/processes). **KPIs:** Acceptance: at least 95% of identified requirements captured and categorized (e.g., functional/non-functional, reporting, integrations, security). **Due Date:** 3 August 2026 **Payment Milestone:** M1 – 15% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS). **Deliverable D2: NGN Architecture Development Phase 1** **Description:** Providing consultative support for industry to develop an NGN Comms Architecture Study. The Study shall deliver architecture views as follows (requirement analysis; architecture options summarised in a presentation material): 5G to data centre integration; Service oriented architecture; Mobile Edge Computing use-cases and network slicing; Utilising the NATO private 5G core in multiple exercises. This is an initial phase where architecture specificities and artefacts will be defined. **KPIs:** Each key requirement is mapped to one or more architecture elements/decisions (and gaps identified). Target: at least 90–95% of requirements traceable; all gaps recorded with mitigation/next-step. Architecture views produced for all required areas (5G-to-data-centre integration, service-oriented architecture, mobile edge computing use-cases and network slicing, use of private 5G core across multiple exercises). Target: at least 95% coverage of required views with documented assumptions and boundaries. **Due Date:** 30 September 2026 **Payment Milestone:** M2 – 15% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **Deliverable D3: Network Management and Cyber Defense (NMCD) Review** **Description:** Perform a review of NATO's NMCD concept and standard document, contribute to the review cycle. The proposed NMCD standard includes solutions that are recommended and never tested; compile a comments database and provide consultative support to contribute to the review cycle. **KPIs:** Review covers all assigned sections/chapters of the NMCD standard. Target: 100% of in-scope sections reviewed; coverage matrix provided. Comments include: exact reference (section/paragraph), issue description, rationale, and proposed change text. Target: at least 90% of comments meet the quality template; 0 non-actionable critical comments. Review checks internal consistency and alignment with relevant NATO policies/constraints and applicable standards. Target: all identified inconsistencies recorded; 0 unresolved critical conflicts left unflagged. **Due Date:** 31 October 2026 **Payment Milestone:** M3 – 15% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **Deliverable D4: NGN Architecture Development Phase 2** **Description:** This phase shall deliver the results of the consulting support and the architecture artefacts that were developed. NGN architecture development work will be performed iteratively. **KPIs:** Each key requirement is mapped to one or more architecture elements/decisions (and gaps identified). Target: at least 90–95% of requirements traceable; all gaps recorded with mitigation/next-step. Architecture views produced for all required areas (as defined in Deliverable D2). Target: at least 95% coverage of required views with documented assumptions and boundaries. **Due Date:** 30 November 2026 **Payment Milestone:** M4 – 20% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **Deliverable D5: 5G White Paper Development** **Description:** Development of a white paper that will examine one of the technical subjects to be provided during the contract execution. Presentation of the white paper findings and results to NATO stakeholders (e.g., CDT Division). **KPIs:** White paper includes at minimum: executive summary, problem statement/context, technical overview, applicability/use cases, architecture/implementation aspects, security and interoperability considerations, risks, recommendations/next steps, references. Target: 100% of required sections included and all NCIA comments addressed. Briefing delivered to the designated stakeholder group (NATO CDT) with attendance recorded. Target: 100% of planned session(s) delivered; minutes/Q&A log captured. **Due Date:** 30 January 2027 **Payment Milestone:** M5 – 10% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **Deliverable D6: 5G Readiness Assessment** **Description:** Consultative support for NATO Cyber Digital and Transformation (CDT) to refresh the 5G Readiness Survey. Setting up an online survey facility (TBC) to allow inputs collection. The survey results shall be used to update the relevant section of the '5G Military Readiness Study'. Post processing (extracting and summarizing survey results) or open-source analysis of survey questions. Updating relevant section of the '5G Military Readiness Study'. Delivery of a presentation. **KPIs:** Questions are unambiguous and designed to yield actionable data (clear scales, defined terms, minimal leading questions). Target: 100% of questions pass a quality checklist; 0 critical ambiguities. Online survey platform (NCIA provided) includes all survey questions. Target: 100% of survey questions included in the platform. Assessment report updated to include all post-processing data. Target: 100% of 2026 assessment report updated according to post-processing or open-source analysis results. Briefing including the 5G readiness assessment delivered. Target: 100% of assessment report findings captured in the briefing. **Due Date:** 12 February 2027 **Payment Milestone:** M6 – 10% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **Deliverable D9: Final Reports Submitted** **Description:** All final reports and artefacts from the project deliverables shall be submitted. **KPIs:** All deliverables listed in the SOW/deliverables register are included (reports, annexes, slides, datasets, tools/templates, meeting minutes, etc.). Target: 100%. Deliverables provided in agreed formats (e.g., editable and PDF), accessible without proprietary dependencies beyond what is approved. Target: 100% of files. All open actions and issues related to deliverables are closed. Target: 0 unresolved critical issues. **Due Date:** 31 March 2027 **Payment Milestone:** M9 – 15% of total BASE value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **4.2 2026 Option Deliverables (if 2026 Option is Exercised)** **Option Deliverable 1: NMCD – Advanced IP Management Experiment Design (if 2026 Option is exercised)** **Description:** To assess scalability and implementation risk of the Model-driven DevOps normalized concept proposed in Network Management and Cyber Defence (NMCD), the Contractor shall design a controlled Pilot DevOps Testbed covering Day 0/1/2 lifecycle operations. Note: more information about the NMCD concept will be provided by NCIA after the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is signed. **KPIs:** Design aligns to the NMCD proposed concept (models, normalization approach, pipelines, interfaces). Target: 100% of key NMCD concept elements mapped to testbed components; deviations documented with rationale. Design reviewed with the NCIA authority/technical stakeholders and accepted. Target: acceptance within 10 business days; at most 2 revision cycles to approval. **Due Date:** 31 October 2026 **Payment Milestone:** OPTION M1 – 50% of 2026 OPTION value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **Option Deliverable 2: NMCD – Advanced IP Management Experiment Pilot (if 2026 Option is exercised)** **Description:** According to the design proposed in the previous optional deliverable, the Contractor shall deliver a pilot covering: (Day 0) Automated Model-Based Resource Discovery and device onboarding using a golden baseline configuration; (Day 1) Intent-Driven Service Deployment with Transactional Control; (Day 2) Scalable Model-Driven Telemetry Validation. Note: NCIA will facilitate the provision of the pilot environment if necessary. **KPIs:** Pilot implements all three required capabilities. Day 0: model-based discovery, onboarding, and golden baseline. Day 1: intent-driven service deployment and transactional control. Day 2: scalable model-driven telemetry validation. Target: 100% coverage; no critical features missing. **Due Date:** 21 December 2026 **Payment Milestone:** OPTION M2 – 50% of 2026 OPTION value. After deliverable completion and signed DAS. **5\. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA** The deliverables provided to NCIA must be compliant with the following success criteria: 1\. All deliverables must demonstrably meet the specific KPI requirements outlined in Section 4.1. 2\. The 5G Readiness Survey template shall cover all the technical and political aspects needed to update the 5G Military Readiness Study conducted by NCIA in 2025. 3\. The 5G Readiness Survey shall include new topics, compared to the 2025 survey, to facilitate the assessment of current and future 5G/6G activities. 4\. The white paper shall provide the necessary reference architectures and implementation guidelines for the selected technology topic. 5\. All technical claims in the white paper shall be backed by relevant scientific references. 6\. Presentations to NATO stakeholders shall be in compliance with NCIA's previous presentation templates, and the quality of the content shall be adequate to be presented at the meeting. All visual diagrams shall be coherent with the content presented and shall be technically accurate. No AI-generated content is permitted; if any visuals need to be created by AI, this must be agreed by the NCIA Project Team. 7\. All contents (e.g., architectural diagrams) shall be delivered in editable format so that NCIA can re-use them. 8\. All reports and deliverables shall be drafted by a human; AI-generated content will not be accepted. If anything needs to be created by AI, this must be agreed by the NCIA Project Team. 9\. If the 2026 option is exercised, all deliverables must meet the requirements of the NATO CDT sponsor; all comments from NATO CDT must be 100% addressed. **6\. COORDINATION AND REPORTING** The Contractor shall report to the NCIA Task Lead. For each milestone, the Contractor must report the outcome of their work during the period of performance via email to the NCIA Point of Contact, briefly describing the work performed and the development achievements during the milestone. Acceptance of each delivery completion will be documented in the Delivery Acceptance Sheet (DAS). **7\. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE** This task order will be active immediately after signing of the contract by both parties. The BASE period of performance is to start as soon as possible but not later than 3 August 2026 and will end 31 March 2027. **8\. SECURITY CLEARANCE** The work will be conducted at the NATO UNCLASSIFIED level. It is mandatory for the Contractor to be in possession of a NATO SECRET security clearance to enable access to relevant documentation and access to NATO facilities. **9\. CONSTRAINTS** All documentation provided under this statement of work will be based on NCIA templates or as agreed with the project point of contact. ONE single resource must provide these services. In the event the Contractor's Personnel leaves during the contract period, a new resource who has the proven required qualifications and is evaluated qualified and suitable shall replace them. All normal NCIA Terms and Conditions apply. **10\. PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS** **10.1 Place of Performance** The Contractor's Personnel is expected to provide services off site, within a NATO country, following the rules and regulations applicable for the operations of NATO CIS. **10.2 Travel** Travel to other NATO and commercial sites is not expected. **10.3 Contractor Furnished Services** The Contractor shall furnish everything required to perform the contract except for the items covered under NCIA Furnished Property and Services. **10.4 NCIA Furnished Property and Services** Access to relevant classified networks and environments will be provided by NCIA. Access to the survey tool/platform will be provided by NCIA. If options are exercised, NCIA will facilitate the provision of the test environment. NCIA will equip the Contractor with an NR IT (Laptop). ![](https://workablehr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/photos/92373/1e4c0c7fa633b1221d60e6315d1b0864.png) ## Requirements **8\. SECURITY CLEARANCE** - It is mandatory for the Contractor to be in possession of a NATO SECRET security clearance to enable access to relevant documentation and access to NATO facilities. **11\. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES** The consultancy support for this work requires a Principal Engineer with a minimum of 10 years of sound experience in the following fields: - Knowledge and experience in large and complex Communication and Information Systems (CIS) engineering and design, including International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 5G networks, Communication Systems, Networks, Infrastructure, Virtualization, Cloud, Security, Monitoring and Control, and Interoperability. - Experience and knowledge in system architecture and design. - Experience in Enterprise and Capability architecture. - Knowledge of SMC aspects, relevant frameworks and their implementation in large CIS networks. - Experience with Military CIS systems. - Experience in designing readiness assessments, surveys, and maturity assessment models for technology adoption. - Familiarity with CIS related international, commercial, and industrial standards. - Experience with deployable CIS systems (Military and/or Civilian). - Experience in Service Design and Management. - Knowledge of NATO political ambition and organizational structure. ## Apply [Apply at EMW, Inc.](https://apply.workable.com/emw/j/CBBCE94DE2/apply) --- Powered by [Workable](https://www.workable.com)