Renewal of Licences and Support for Cloudera Data Platform

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 encompasses the renewal of licenses and support for the Cloudera Data Platform, which is critical for data management and analytics within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The contractor will be responsible for the following activities:

• License Renewal: Provision of necessary licenses for the Cloudera Data Platform to ensure uninterrupted service.
• Technical Support: Offering ongoing technical support for the Cloudera Data Platform, including troubleshooting and resolution of issues.
• Updates and Upgrades: Implementing software updates and upgrades as required to maintain optimal performance and security.
• Documentation: Providing comprehensive documentation related to the services rendered, including user manuals and support guides.
• Training: Conducting training sessions for departmental staff to ensure effective use of the platform.
• Performance Monitoring: Regularly monitoring the performance of the Cloudera Data Platform and reporting on its effectiveness and any issues encountered.

The contractor must ensure that all services align with the operational requirements of the Department and adhere to any specified standards or protocols.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated as part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's strategy to enhance data management capabilities through the Cloudera Data Platform. The need for renewal and support arises from the department's ongoing commitment to leverage data analytics for improved decision-making and operational efficiency. The incumbent provider is not specified, but the department aims to ensure continuity and reliability in its data services.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 excluding VAT, achieved in at least two of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• 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 be based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT), with the lowest total cost receiving the highest score.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the named template with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel, no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie with specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Initial term of 2 years, with up to two 1-year extensions possible.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns for bidders include:

• The turnover requirement of €500,000 may limit participation to firms with established financial stability.
• The lack of specified past experience or personnel requirements could lead to ambiguity in evaluation.
• The absence of detailed SLAs or KPIs may create uncertainty regarding performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that have experience in software licensing and support services. A viable bidder would typically have:

• Relevant certifications, such as Cloudera Reseller status.
• The capacity to provide the required insurance coverage.
• The ability to demonstrate financial stability through the turnover requirement.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are encouraged, allowing SMEs to collaborate with larger firms to meet the tender requirements. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated to be moderate, requiring several days to compile the necessary documentation. The presence of a turnover threshold may signal a competitive environment, particularly if incumbents are involved.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CFT 8158112 LDW Licences RFT 15052026.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement