Oracle Cloud@Customer Implementation, Managed Services and Ancillary Services

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 Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) seeks tenders for the provision of Oracle Cloud@Customer Implementation, Managed Services, and Ancillary Services. This procurement competition is conducted under an open procedure, with the resulting contract expected to span an initial term of three years, with the option for two one-year extensions. The estimated expenditure for these services over the full potential term is €775,000, exclusive of VAT.

The scope of services encompasses:

• Oracle Cloud@Customer Implementation: This involves the setup and configuration of Oracle Cloud@Customer solutions. Specific details regarding the exact Oracle products or services to be implemented are not detailed in the provided metadata.
• Managed Services: This includes the ongoing operation, maintenance, and support of the implemented Oracle Cloud@Customer environment. The ICBF maintains ISO 27001-certified information security management practices and operates in compliance with industry standards such as ITIL, ISO20000, and ISO27001. Tenderers are expected to align their proposed operations with these internationally recognised standards.
• Ancillary Services: This category covers any additional services required to support the primary implementation and managed services. The nature and extent of these ancillary services are not specified.

The ICBF operates with 138 users on its Local Area Network (LAN). Tenderers must be prepared to provide intensive post-production support for a period of four weeks, including one week of "hyper care" for the production database post-implementation. The services are expected to be delivered in compliance with all applicable EU and domestic tax laws. Tenderers must also adhere to environmental, social, and labour law obligations established by EU and national law, collective agreements, and international standards. Compliance with Council Directive 2001/23/EC regarding the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers of undertakings is also a requirement.

3. Background & buyer context

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is the contracting authority for this procurement. The ICBF is responsible for managing the national cattle breeding database and related genetic evaluation services. The procurement of Oracle Cloud@Customer Implementation, Managed Services, and Ancillary Services is driven by the need to enhance or maintain its IT infrastructure. The ICBF highlights its adherence to ISO 27001-certified information security management practices and its operation in compliance with industry standards like ITIL, ISO20000, and ISO27001. This suggests a strategic focus on robust and secure IT operations. The tender documents do not explicitly mention an incumbent provider, but the emphasis on specific industry standards implies a requirement for a high level of operational maturity from any successful bidder.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following mandatory requirements to be considered for evaluation:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000 (any one claim, unlimited any one period)
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 (any one claim, unlimited any one period)
• Product Liability: €6,500,000 (any one claim, unlimited any one period)
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000 (limit in the aggregate per insurance year)
• Cyber Liability: €2,000,000 (any one occurrence and in the aggregate per insurance year)
• Certifications: Tenderers are expected to align their operations with internationally recognised standards such as ISO 20000, ISO 27001, and ITIL. Specific mandatory certifications are not listed, but alignment with these standards is required.
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate relevant company experience and track record in large-scale contracts for Oracle Database Systems, along with the provision of associated managed services and maintenance. Specific numbers or value thresholds for past projects are not detailed.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers must also declare by way of eESPD that no mandatory grounds for exclusion apply, or if they do, that sufficient measures are in place to demonstrate reliability. They must also satisfy the economic and financial standing and technical and professional ability selection criteria.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of the contract will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The specific weighting between price and quality is not detailed in the provided metadata. Tenderers will be evaluated against defined selection criteria, and only those who meet these criteria will proceed to the award stage. The evaluation process will assess both economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability. Tenderers must declare their satisfaction of these criteria via the European Single Procurement Document (eESPD). Failure to meet any selection criterion will result in exclusion from the competition.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers are required to submit the following documentation:

• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD): An electronic version must be submitted.
• Tenderer’s Statement: A scanned, signed copy printed on the tenderer's letterhead, confirming acceptance of the Services Contract terms.
• Pricing Schedule: As per Appendix 2. All prices must be all-inclusive, in Euro, and exclusive of VAT.
• Supporting Documentation: For economic and financial standing (e.g., insurance evidence, tax clearance certificate, financial statements) and technical and professional ability (e.g., relevant company experience).
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances: As per Appendix 4.
• Group of Undertakings Details: If applicable, details of all members of the group and a nominated entity for communication.
• Subcontractor Information: If subcontracting, a separate eESPD for each subcontractor is required.

All submissions must be made via the eTenders electronic tenderbox. Tenders must be in English and compiled in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The Services Contract will have an initial term of three years. The contracting authority reserves the right to extend this term by up to two additional periods of one year each, subject to legal obligations. Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract (Appendix 5). Prices quoted must remain valid for six months from the tender deadline. Any currency variations over the contract term will be borne by the tenderer. The contract requires the successful tenderer to hold specific insurances throughout the term. Compliance with environmental, social, and labour laws, as well as employee transfer regulations, is mandatory.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The estimated value of €775,000 over a potential five-year term (€155,000 per year) is relatively modest for a managed Oracle Cloud@Customer service, which could indicate a specific scope or a desire for a particular type of provider. The absence of a specified turnover requirement, while potentially beneficial for SMEs, means that the financial standing will be assessed through financial statements and other evidence, requiring careful preparation. The tender emphasizes compliance with international standards like ISO 27001 and ITIL, suggesting a need for providers with established operational frameworks. The requirement for intensive post-production support and hyper care indicates a critical go-live phase.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to a range of providers, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The ICBF encourages SME participation and suggests that larger enterprises consider how SMEs can be included in their proposals. Consortiums or subcontracting are permitted, allowing SMEs to partner with other firms to meet requirements. The bid preparation effort is likely to be moderate, requiring thorough completion of the eESPD, financial documentation, and a clear proposal for technical and professional ability. Given the specific nature of Oracle Cloud@Customer services and the emphasis on industry standards, a provider with demonstrable experience in Oracle managed services and robust ITIL/ISO 27001 practices would be well-positioned. The absence of a stated incumbent or previous supplier in the metadata makes it difficult to assess incumbent strength.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Oracle Cloud@Customer Implementation, Managed Services and Anciliary Services final1.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement