Services for MS Defender for Endpoint Migration

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |---------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|-----------------|-------------------------------|------------------| Tourism Ireland CLG Services for MS Defender for Endpoint Migration IT & Software not disclosed not stated not stated not stated not stated 12 months 2024-11-15T12:00:00+00:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the migration of all in-scope devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, including configuration, training, health checks, and ongoing support. The contractor is expected to manage the entire migration process, ensuring that all devices are transitioned smoothly to the new endpoint protection system.

Key activities include:

• Migration Project: Complete migration for all in-scope devices, including all necessary configurations.
• Training: Provide training sessions for Tourism Ireland staff on the new system.
• Health Checks: Conduct health checks post-migration to ensure system integrity and performance.
• Support: Offer ongoing support for the duration of the contract, addressing any issues that arise during and after the migration.

The contractor must ensure that all Microsoft licenses are managed separately by Tourism Ireland and are not included in the cost of these services.

3. Background & buyer context

Tourism Ireland CLG is procuring these services to enhance its cybersecurity posture through the implementation of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. This procurement aligns with broader governmental initiatives aimed at improving digital security across public sector organizations. The timing of this tender reflects an urgent need to upgrade existing systems to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity. No incumbent contractor is specified in the documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability Insurance with an indemnity limit of €13,000,000.
• Public Liability Insurance with an indemnity limit of €6,000,000.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance with an indemnity limit of €1,000,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best price-quality ratio.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template with a specified page limit.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, adhering to a specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing schedule in the specified format.
• Case studies: Provide a minimum of two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with values ranging from €50,000 to €200,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, following specific format rules outlined in the tender documents.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Contract duration: The initial term is 12 months, with potential for annual extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made within 30 days of receipt of a compliant invoice.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Specific service level agreements and key performance indicators are to be defined in the contract.
• Termination clauses: Tourism Ireland can terminate the contract for material breaches or failure to perform obligations.
• Intellectual Property: All intellectual property rights developed during the contract will remain with the contractor, with a license granted to Tourism Ireland for its use.
• Sub-contracting rules: The contractor must obtain prior written approval from Tourism Ireland for any sub-contracting arrangements.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Insurance requirements: The high levels of required insurance coverage may limit the pool of eligible bidders, particularly among smaller firms.
• Lack of specified past experience: The absence of defined past experience requirements may lead to a wide range of bid quality.
• No incumbent specified: This could indicate a lack of continuity in service provision, which may affect the transition process.
• Short contract duration: The 12-month term may not provide sufficient time for comprehensive integration and support.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this contract should:

• Have experience in IT services, particularly in cybersecurity and endpoint protection solutions.
• Hold the necessary insurance coverage as specified.
• Be capable of providing training and support services.
• Be prepared for a potentially intensive bid preparation process, estimated at 5-10 days.

Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements may be allowed, but bidders must confirm this with Tourism Ireland. The presence of high insurance requirements and the lack of specified past experience may signal a competitive environment, but the absence of an incumbent could provide opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Services Contract (Tourism Ireland) 2023 EEA.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Schedule I — Services
• Schedule II — Pricing Schedule
• Schedule III — Escalation Procedure