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US Ignite seeks a consultant arrangement for its Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program. The consultant(s) will provide project management, engineering, construction, and deployment advice and services related to the deployment of up to four wireless testbed networks in cities across the United States.US Ignite is soliciting submissions from all interested parties, including consulting firms or other professionals, for a three-month contract, with the potential for contract extensions up to three years.
This consulting arrangement is an opportunity to be part of a team of smart and energetic people who are helping to shape the future of the Internet and the way Americans across the country will experience their work and day to day lives.
To learn more about this opportunity, download the Job Posting here. To apply, please send a list of proposed staff and hourly rate information, resumes, two references, and a Statement of Purpose (up to 1,000 words) to [email protected]. The deadline for this opportunity is March 26, 2018.
Overview
US Ignite, Inc. (US Ignite) seeks a consultant arrangement for its Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program. The consultant(s) will provide project management, engineering, construction, and deployment advice and services related to the deployment of up to four wireless testbed networks in cities across the United States.
US Ignite is soliciting submissions from all interested parties, including consulting firms or other professionals, for a three-month contract, with the potential for contract extensions up to three years.
About US Ignite/ Platforms for Advanced Wireless
US Ignite spurs the creation of next-generation applications and services that leverage advanced networking technologies to build the foundation for smart communities, including cities, rural areas, regions, and states. The nonprofit organization helps to accelerate new wired and wireless networking advances from research to prototype to full-scale smart community and interconnected national deployments.
US Ignite believes that the communities most likely to become the first smart communities are those with widespread, open, and flexible advanced networks. Through the below programs, US Ignite seeks to make smart communities smarter:
- PAWR Program : To help create the new wireless networks that will power smart community sensors and services, US Ignite is leading the PAWR Project Office, a $100M effort that is coordinating a public-private partnership of federal agencies and over 25 leading corporations that is building wireless research testbeds in at least four communities across the United States.
- Smart Gigabit Communities (SGC) Program : US Ignite’s $6M SGC program accelerates the adoption of ultra-fast, programmable fiber and wireless networks as the bedrock of smart communities by identifying new economic and social opportunities created by those networks.
- US Ignite Forum : The US Ignite Forum creates a unique opportunity for municipal leaders to share lessons learned and best practices for implementing smart city projects and applications. Smart city technologies are being deployed in more and more cities across the country, creating new services that offer safer streets, less traffic, and energy savings. While pilot projects have returned encouraging results, planning and deploying smart city services at a size and scale that will transform communities remains a challenge for many local leaders to navigate.
Specifically, US Ignite is searching for a consulting arrangement for its PAWR program. The PAWR program is a joint effort by the National Science Foundation and a wireless Industry Consortium to create city-scale testing platforms to accelerate fundamental research on wireless communication and networking technologies. The PAWR Project Office (PPO) is managing this $100 million public-private partnership to stand-up and oversee these eventual testing platforms. The PPO is run by US Ignite and Northeastern University.
US Ignite Culture
The consulting arrangement will be exciting and visionary work. To make it all happen, our crew of highly experienced (and fun) team members work with people from research universities, large and small communities, government agencies, and the biggest names in the technology sector to identify and connect resources and best practices that “ignite” fundamental research on wireless communication and networking technologies.
US Ignite is a non-profit startup with very big goals. We have a flat organizational culture, and the selected consultant(s) will interact with all levels of US Ignite leadership and likely many of our federal government, corporate, university, and community stakeholders over the course of the period of performance. Operationally, US Ignite is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that got its start with leadership from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation in 2012, launched with a mission to change the way Americans experience what’s possible through a next-generation Internet. Learn more about us at us-ignite.org.
Job Description
This consulting arrangement is an opportunity to be part of a team of smart and energetic people who are helping to shape the future of the Internet and the way Americans across the country will experience their work and day to day lives.
US Ignite is looking for a consultant arrangement for its PAWR Program. The consultant(s) will provide project management, engineering, construction, and deployment advice and services related to the deployment of up to four wireless testbed networks in cities across the United States. Learn more about the PAWR program here.
Specific Duties include:
- Day-to-day project management and coordination between the PAWR Project Office (PPO) and the city-university teams selected to deploy the testbeds
- Hands-on management of the deployment of the program, including interfacing between the NSF, the PPO, university teams, and Industry Consortium members
- Project milestone and budget accountability
- Coordination, tracking, and delivery of Industry Consortium in-kind contributions to city-university teams
- Resolution of engineering and deployment challenges
The consultants should be able to lend individuals to the project with the following areas of expertise:
- Wireless network deployment and construction
- Radio network engineering and design
- Wired network engineering and design
- Wireless industry contacts and relationship
The consultants should be experienced or familiar with:
- Complex project management;
- Project reporting and analysis, including a familiarity with earned value (EVMS) project reporting; and,
- Federal grants
The consulting firm should nominate one seasoned project manager to lead the effort who will work at least half-time coordinating the project from US Ignite’s Washington, DC office and to promote in-person collaborations with team members. In addition, the consultant(s) should include time from other project experts/subject matter experts (i.e., radio network engineering and design expert, wireless network deployment and construction) who can be added to the project on an ad-hoc basis. Total level of effort is estimated at 0.75 FTE over the course of the year, with heavier engagement early in the project for ramp up.
About You
Specifically, great consultant(s) will have:
- Exceptional verbal and writing skills – an ability to translate complex ideas into easy-to-understand stories
- An attitude that makes others eager to work with you
- Executive presence and leadership with the ability to bridge various different technical and experiential gaps (academic, industrial, municipal, federal)
- A willingness to engage on all levels of the project, ranging from entry-level project management tracking and reporting up through complex, multi-stakeholder negotiation
- A love of working with cutting-edge technologies and the people implementing them
- A zeal for overcoming challenges and thinking strategically
Additional Details
Location and Period of Performance
US Ignite is located near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. Ideally, candidates should be based in the Washington, DC area. Occasional travel to testbed sites throughout the United States will be necessary.
The period of performance is for 3 months, with the option to extend the contract (up to 3 years) based on a mutual US Ignite and consulting firm decision.
Notice
US Ignite is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a U.S. veteran.
To apply, please send a list of proposed staff and hourly rate information, resumes, two references, and a Statement of Purpose (up to 1,000 words) to [email protected]. The deadline for this opportunity is March 26, 2018.