The scope covers the configuration, deployment support, and tool integration of Deployable CIS Services (DCIS) kits. The Contractor shall provide services in a continuous, structured, and highly secure manner, ensuring alignment with configuration diagrams, security classification boundaries, and operational priorities.
The Contractor shall provide services contributing to the secure configuration, deployment, and operational readiness of the DCIS kits and associated network management services, ensuring alignment with configuration diagrams, security classification boundaries, and operational priorities.
This includes the following activities:
Advanced device configuration: Executing the end-to-end configuration of Cisco routing devices based strictly on provided configuration diagrams, ensuring accurate mapping of connectivity, ports, VLANs, IP addresses, and subnets.
Virtual routing and segmentation: Implementing virtual routing and forwarding (VRFs) to ensure strict, auditable protocol and traffic isolation across multiple security classifications.
Routing protocol deployment: Configuring and optimizing dynamic routing protocols including IS-IS, OSPF, and BGP according to enterprise architecture standards.
Secure Tunnel Establishment: Constructing, validating, and securing Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) and IPsec tunnels to facilitate secure remote transport.
Remote hands and physical coordination: Collaborating with local support personnel to guide physical installation, verify cabling, and establish baseline physical connectivity.
Management tool integration: Enrolling, configuring, and verifying all newly deployed devices within centralized management and monitoring tools, specifically Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and CA Spectrum.
System documentation management: Supporting the maintenance and updating of system documentation to reflect changes, configurations, and operational procedures.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Troubleshooting: Providing specialized technical support during UAT, including active fault diagnosis, troubleshooting, and resolution of routing, tunnelling, or authentication issues.
All activities shall be performed in accordance with NCIA processes and procedures, ensuring compliance, traceability, and auditability.
The Contractor shall establish, maintain, and operate a structured reporting framework to provide NCIA with full visibility of service performance, implementation progress, operational readiness, risks, and compliance with the requirements of this Statement of Work (SoW).
3.1.1 Reporting Requirements
The Contractor shall provide the reports described below.
3.1.1.1 Weekly Progress Report
The Contractor shall submit a Weekly Progress Report every week, summarising the progress of the services performed during the reporting period. The report shall include, as a minimum: activities completed during the reporting period; activities planned for the next reporting period; progress against the agreed implementation schedule and contractual milestones; status of assigned DCIS kits; configuration, integration, testing, and deployment activities completed; and outstanding actions, dependencies, and deployment blockers.
3.1.1.2 Monthly Service Performance Report
The Contractor shall submit a Monthly Service Performance Report no later than the fifth (5th) working day following the end of each reporting period. The report shall include, as a minimum:
Service Performance: Summary of services delivered during the reporting period; and status of assigned DCIS kits.
Progress Reporting: Progress against the agreed implementation schedule; activities completed during the reporting period; planned activities for the next reporting period; and outstanding actions and dependencies.
Configuration and Deployment Status: Status of device configuration and integration activities; validation of implemented configurations; operational readiness of assigned systems and components; and deviations from approved technical designs or implementation plans.
Testing and Validation: User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities performed; configuration validation results; defects identified; troubleshooting and corrective actions completed; outstanding issues affecting operational readiness; and readiness of each DCIS kit for acceptance.
Documentation Status: Status of technical documentation updates; and confirmation that implemented configurations, design changes, and operational procedures have been incorporated into the project documentation.
Risks and Issues: Technical issues affecting delivery; deployment blockers; design or configuration deviations; dependencies on other contractor teams or NCIA stakeholders; mitigation actions; and escalation items requiring NCIA decisions.
Deliverables and Milestones: Deliverables completed during the reporting period; deliverables submitted for acceptance; milestones achieved; planned milestone completions; and activities requiring NCIA review or acceptance.
KPI Performance: KPI measurements and supporting evidence; identification of KPI breaches; corrective actions for KPI underperformance; and calculation of applicable Service Credits.
The Monthly Service Performance Report shall serve as the basis for service performance assessment and payment validation.
The Contractor shall provide ad hoc reports upon request by NCIA or following significant technical issues, project risks, deployment delays, or other events requiring management attention.
3.1.2 Reporting Obligations
Reports shall be submitted electronically using NCIA-approved templates or formats and in accordance with the reporting schedule defined in this SoW. All reports shall be accurate, complete, traceable, and auditable, and shall be supported by information recorded in NCIA-approved systems and tools, where applicable.
The Contractor shall participate in project, technical, and service review meetings as requested by NCIA and provide additional verbal or written status updates upon request.
NCIA reserves the right to request clarification or supporting evidence for any reported information and to require corrective actions where reporting deficiencies or discrepancies are identified.
3.2 Service Governance Model
The Contractor shall establish and maintain an effective governance structure to ensure the successful planning, coordination, monitoring, and delivery of the services defined in this Statement of Work (SoW). The governance structure shall facilitate effective communication, timely decision-making, risk management, and coordination with NCIA and other stakeholders.
The governance structure shall include the following levels:
Coordination: Day-to-day coordination of implementation activities, configuration, integration, testing, deployment readiness, issue resolution, dependency management, and planning of upcoming activities. Frequency: Weekly.
Service Review (Performance Management): Review of service performance, progress against contractual milestones and deliverables, KPI performance, service reporting, risks, mitigation actions, and overall service delivery. Frequency: Monthly.
Acceptance Review: Review of completed deliverables, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) results, technical documentation, outstanding defects, and readiness for acceptance of DCIS kits. Frequency: Prior to each acceptance milestone.
The Contractor shall participate in governance activities including, but not limited to: operational and technical coordination meetings; project status meetings; design review meetings; risk and issue review meetings; service review meetings; User Acceptance Testing (UAT) review meetings; acceptance readiness reviews; and ad hoc meetings requested by NCIA.
The Contractor shall cooperate with NCIA and other contractors to ensure the successful integration, testing, and delivery of the complete DCIS solution.
The Contractor shall establish and maintain effective communication with NCIA throughout the execution of the services. The Contractor shall promptly notify NCIA of any issue, risk, dependency, or event that may adversely affect the delivery schedule, quality of the services, technical compliance, or successful completion of the activities defined in this SoW.
Issues shall be escalated without undue delay where: milestones or delivery dates are at risk; technical issues cannot be resolved within the Contractor’s area of responsibility; dependencies on NCIA, other contractors, or third parties may impact service delivery; resource constraints or unforeseen events may affect the delivery of the services; or decisions or guidance from NCIA are required to maintain progress.
3.3 Continuous Service Improvement
The Contractor shall identify opportunities for service optimisation and efficiency improvements; propose and track corrective and preventive actions; and monitor trends and recurring issues to drive long-term improvements.
All improvement actions shall be documented; reviewed during governance meetings; and tracked to completion.