Network Architect

Tender description

Summary of the work Primarily employed as the Principal Architect for networks and communications within the Architecture and Design Authority (DA) and Network Delivery Team (NDT) covering the whole IT and networks portfolio within the customer organisation. Primarily responsible for aligning technical solutions to the evolving business vision, strategy and enterprise architecture. Specialist role Designer Expected Contract Length March 2020 to 31st March 2021. Option 3 months Latest start date Monday 2 March 2020 Maximum Day Rate £1050 (inclusive of Agency Fee) Who Speclialist Work With The Network Architect is to be accountable as the Network Technical Authority for all Information System Network (ISN) deliverables and is expected to lead in providing direction to the ISN Network Design Engineers, and System Operating Authority (SOA) Network Support Engineer (NSE) team when requested. The Network Architect is to provide reporting and consultancy to ISN Senior Management Team (SMT) as required, and to assist Network Delivery Team (NDT) Project Managers (PMs) with technical guidance in project delivery plans. What Specialists Work On Expected outputs/deliverables include but not limited to: • Enterprise vision for networks • Enterprise strategy for networks • Network Architecture Roadmap • Network Technology roadmap • Solution Recommendations for network services • Solution Recommendations for network components and IT services • High Level Designs for network services • High Level Designs for network components and IT services • Collaboration activities with other members of the Architecture and Design teams to support fulfilment of customer requirements • Briefing Notes • Architectural/Design notes • Review of documentation from others • Verbal and written guidance to the DA and SOA Skills & Experience • MOD held DV clearance required on day 1 of the appointment and for the duration of the Contract. The Tenderer must provide full details as part of bid response. • Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert - Routing and Switching (CCIE R&S) • Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) • Cisco Certified Network Associate - Security (CCNA Security) • Cisco Certified Network Associate – Wireless (CCNA Wireless) • Architectural qualifications/certifications e.g. TOGAFv9, MODAF. If not currently held, the successful candidate will be expected to gain this certification within the first 3 months in role at their own expense. • 5-10 years’ experience supporting and designing complex Campus LAN & WAN networks based on IP Crypto. Nice to Haves • Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) • Higher Education in relevant Communications and/or Information Systems subject (equivalent to Foundation or Bachelor’s degree level). • Cloud based certification e.g. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP). • Programming for Network Engineers (PRNE) (proof of course completion) • Cisco Network Programmability Design and Implementation Specialist (NPDESI) (proof of course completion) • Python Certified Entry-Level Programmer (PCEP) • 10+ years’ experience of project engineering. Architectural experience or working in integrated design/architecture team. • Knowledge and experience of designing and implementing highly-assured IP Crypto tunnelling of network traffic across bearers of opportunity. • OSPF configuration and management, EIGRP, BGP, L3 TRL CATAPAN, Nexus-OS, Linux OS, QoS and DSCP marking, Policy Based Routing, logging and analysis tools (e.g. PRTG, Splunk, Solar Winds) • Dynamic multipoint virtual private network (DMVPN), Cisco networking equipment, Dell networking equipment, Juniper firewall equipment • Cisco and Microsoft VoIP and video teleconferencing, RBAC administration, Software Defined Network (SDN) exposure including SD-WAN, Cisco DNAC and Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Work Location West Midlands with weekly visits to Bristol. Travel to other locations e.g. London, Reading, may be necessary for stakeholder/supplier meetings. Working Arrangments 5 days a week (excluding Bank Holidays) assumed 230 working days per year Mon to Fri 08:30 to 17:00 Security Clearance MOD held DV clearance required on day 1 of the appointment and for the duration of the Contract. Applicants must be a sole UK national (no dual nationals can be accepted) Additional T&Cs Any supplier that puts forward the same candidate as another supplier will be rejected at sift Should the post be vacated, the Supplier shall ensure a replacement within 1 working week by a candidate who meets the criteria of this competition with prior approval of the Buyer DEFCON 5J(Edn 18/11/16)-Unique Identifiers DEFCON 76(Edn 12/06)-Contractor’s Personnel at Government Sites DEFCON 501(Edn 11/17)-Definitions and Interpretations DEFCON 522(Edn 11/17)-Payment and Recovery of Sums Due DEFCON 659A(Edn 02/17)-Security Measures (A Security Aspects Letter will be provided following Contract Award) DEFCON 660(Edn 12/15)-Official-Sensitive Security Requirements DEFCON 703(Edn 08/13)-Intellectual Property Rights - Vesting in the Authority No. of Specialists to Evaluate 5 Cultural Fit Criteria • Ability to work with others in a high pressure, Operational Environment that frequently manages conflicting priorities • Ability to make decisions under pressure • Ability to work with multiple stakeholders • Ability to work as a team Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 70% Cultural fit 10% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers 1. Is there a current incumbent? Yes, there is an incumbent 2. Have you assessed the role as outside IR35? The role has been assessed as outside IR35. 3. Please can you confirm the IR35 Status for this role. This role has been assessed as outside IR35 4. Would the client sponsor DV eligible candidates to apply for DV Clearance prior to starting the contract? The Authority is unable to sponsor DV eligible candidates. MOD held DV Clearance is required on day 1 of the appointment and for the duration of the Contract. 5. Please could you confirm if the incumbent will be re-applying? We do not know whether the incumbent will re-apply for the role until all competition bids have been received. Furthermore, we are unable to discuss individual candidate applications.