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Ascension is seeking an experienced COTS/SaaS Solution, Integration and Cybersecurity Architect to support a mission-critical federal information technology modernization effort. The ideal candidate will serve as the technical authority responsible for defining solution architecture requirements, evaluating commercial technology solutions, and ensuring proposed COTS/SaaS platforms satisfy federal security, privacy, interoperability, scalability, accessibility, and operational requirements.

This role is critical to helping the client transition from legacy/manual business processes to modern, secure, commercially available technology solutions. The successful candidate will bridge business needs and technical capabilities by translating mission requirements into acquisition-ready technical specifications, evaluating solution alternatives, and identifying technical risks associated with cloud adoption, SaaS configuration, integrations, cybersecurity compliance, and vendor dependencies.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, detail-oriented technology professional who understands federal IT modernization, cloud acquisition, cybersecurity frameworks, and enterprise architecture principles. The candidate should be comfortable operating in an environment requiring independent analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical decision-making, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

Summary of Contractor Role

The COTS/SaaS Solution, Integration and Cybersecurity Architect will support the development of RFQ-ready requirements packages for commercial technology solutions by defining technical, cybersecurity, integration, and operational requirements.

The Architect will support activities including:

• Defining solution architecture requirements for COTS and SaaS-based platforms.
• Developing technical requirements related to:
  • Performance
  • Availability
  • Scalability
  • Security
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Hosting
  • APIs
  • Identity and access management
  • Integration/interoperability
  • Configuration and customization
  • Vendor lock-in risks
• Supporting Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) activities evaluating:
  • COTS solutions
  • SaaS platforms
  • Configurable solutions
  • Shared services
  • Hybrid architectures
  • FedRAMP-authorized cloud solutions
• Assessing cybersecurity requirements aligned with:
  • FedRAMP
  • NIST cybersecurity guidance
  • Federal security and privacy requirements
• Supporting acquisition documentation including:
  • Technical requirements matrices
  • System requirements documentation
  • Integration requirements
  • Cybersecurity requirements
  • Technical evaluation criteria
  • Risk assessments

The role requires a professional who can analyze complex enterprise environments, identify technical constraints, recommend practical solutions, and produce clear documentation that enables successful federal technology acquisitions.

The position supports Ascension’s demonstrated capabilities in business systems analysis, requirements management, data governance, technology integration, SharePoint/Power Platform solutions, cybersecurity-aware process modernization, and federal acquisition support. Ascension’s experience includes supporting DHS Federal Protective Service modernization initiatives involving requirements development, SharePoint migration, data governance, analytics, automation, and technology solutions.

Position Responsibilities / Expected Activities

The contractor will:

• Analyze mission and business requirements to define technical solution needs for COTS/SaaS implementations.
• Develop functional and nonfunctional technical requirements covering security, performance, scalability, availability, accessibility, and interoperability.
• Evaluate commercial technology solutions and SaaS platforms against federal mission requirements.
• Define enterprise integration requirements including APIs, data exchanges, authentication, authorization, and system interfaces.
• Assess cloud hosting models, including SaaS, hybrid cloud, and FedRAMP-authorized solutions.
• Develop technical inputs for Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), including solution comparisons, technical feasibility assessments, and risk evaluations.
• Identify cybersecurity and privacy requirements necessary to protect sensitive federal information.
• Assess security controls and compliance considerations aligned with NIST frameworks and federal cybersecurity practices.
• Analyze vendor capabilities, configuration options, customization requirements, and potential vendor lock-in concerns.
• Develop technical documentation supporting RFQ-ready acquisition packages.
• Create requirements traceability matrices linking mission needs to technical requirements.
• Collaborate with business analysts, acquisition professionals, cybersecurity specialists, and government stakeholders.
• Facilitate technical discussions and discovery sessions with program offices and system owners.
• Review technical deliverables for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Recommend mitigation strategies for technical, cybersecurity, integration, and implementation risks.
• Support executive briefings by translating technical findings into clear recommendations.