Office 365 SaaS Data Backup, Data Recovery and Data Protection Solution

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

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the management and support of the existing Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup service for Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB). This service ensures cloud-based backup, recovery, and data protection for MSLETB’s Microsoft 365 tenant, supporting organizational resilience and data protection in line with Microsoft’s Shared Responsibility Model.

• Backup and Recovery Operations: Administered centrally by the MSLETB ICT Department.
• Service Delivery: Fully SaaS, cloud-native service requiring no on-premises or customer-managed infrastructure.
• Data Protection: Supports point-in-time recovery, retention management, and secure off-platform storage of Microsoft 365 and Entra ID data.
• User Base: Approximately 1,800 staff and 20,000 students.
• Licensing: Applies to active users only; licenses become available for reuse when mailboxes or accounts are deleted.
• Retention Policies: Retained backup data remains recoverable in line with defined retention policies.
• Geographic Coverage: Applies to all MSLETB schools, centers, and administrative services across Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim.
• No New Functionality Required: Continuation of an existing approved security and data protection control.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is driven by the need to maintain and support the existing Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup service for MSLETB, ensuring compliance with data protection standards and organizational resilience. The service aligns with Microsoft’s Shared Responsibility Model, emphasizing data protection and recovery. The contract supports MSLETB's strategic goal of maintaining robust data protection across its educational and administrative facilities. The procurement reflects a continuation of existing services rather than the introduction of new functionalities.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €12.7 million
• Public Liability: €2.6 million
• Cyber Liability: €2 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of 3 comparable projects in the education or public sectors within the last 3 years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation follows the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, with a 70/30 quality to price split.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Named template, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Appendix 2 format.
• Case studies: 3 required, demonstrating similar scale and nature.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, electronic submission only.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for an initial term of 2 years, with the possibility of three 2-year extensions. Payment terms are subject to the Services Contract at Appendix 5. Key SLAs include a one-hour response time for major incidents. Termination clauses allow for 14 days' notice. Intellectual Property rights remain with the service provider. Sub-contracting is permitted, but the prime contractor must assume overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies high insurance requirements, which may limit participation to larger firms. The continuation of an existing service without new functionalities suggests a potential advantage for incumbents familiar with the current setup. The geographic focus on Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim may restrict the bidder pool to those with regional capabilities.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for firms with experience in cloud-based data protection services, particularly those familiar with Microsoft 365 environments. SMEs may participate through consortia or subcontracting arrangements. Bid preparation is likely to require several days, given the need for detailed case studies and compliance documentation. The incumbent's advantage is notable, but the open procedure allows for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CFT8056321 SaaS Data Backup (OGP012025).docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Key attachments: Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications, Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule, Appendix 5 — Services Contract.