NATO - RFI - EMS contractor logistic support

Description

The requirement is to provide contractor logistic support (CLS) for the NATO Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Electronic Protective Measures (EPM) Modem System (NATO-EMS). This system has been manufactured by Thales Communications & Security and has been customised for NATO. The CLS includes both Hardware (HW) and Software (SW). The CLS period will cover a 3 year base period (1 January 2023 through 31 December 2025), with three one year option periods if/when exercised.

NATO-EMS consists primarily of 2 variants of modems:
8U EMS Modem Rack Assembly , each supporting up to 6 duplex circuits with serial digital interface, (one circuit requiring one channel unit)

1U chassis, also called EMSe modem, each supporting either one duplex serial link in circuit mode, or point-multipoint links (1 transmit and 4 receive channels per EMSe modem) using Ethernet interface in IP mode.

The 8U EMS Modem Rack and the 1U EMSe are interoperable in the circuit mode (serial).

All EMS modems are using frequency hopping waveforms defined in STANAGs
4606 Edition 2 and 3.

These provide the Super High Frequency (SHF) Anti-Jam (AJ) SATCOM Network Modem capability within NATO SATCOM. It is used at four Satellite Ground Stations (SGS also known as SAC – Satellite Anchor Component) of the NATO static environment and in 30 deployable units – Transportable Satellite Ground Terminals (TSGT).

Control, configuration and cryptographic key generation software run on workstations and laptops running MS Windows 7, associated to the modems.

The requested CLS support and maintenance activities consist of the following:
1. Hardware support – 3rd/4th line repair or replacement of faulty modules (30 equipment repairs per year).

2. Software Support – this consists of troubleshooting, helpdesk (during working hours), implementation of SW patches and updates. Contractor will supply patches for all third party SW. SW upgrades will be subject to a separate purchase order (PO).

3. Configuration Management (CM) including Obsolescence Management (OM).

4. On-Site Intervention - Contractor should have the ability to perform on-site interventions and repairs on an occasional basis at the system locations, all based within European NATO countries. Personnel will require a NATO security clearance.

5. One training course per year is required at each of these 4 levels: engineer; technician; operator; crypto production. Training courses should cover operation and maintenance of the 2 variants of modems.

6. The expected contract award for this project is September 2022.

Opportunity closing date

03 May 2022

Value of contract

to be confirmed

The buyer is happy to talk to

manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, agents, consultants