TEN2600042 - cFT for Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure (HCI) Solution, with Associated Equipment and Services for Cavan County Council

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 provision of a Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure (HCI) solution for Cavan County Council, including associated equipment and services. The contractor will be responsible for the supply and installation of the HCI solution at the IT Comms Room located at Cavan Courthouse, Cavan. The solution must comply with the technical specifications outlined in Appendix 1 of the tender documents.

Key activities include:

• Supply and Installation: Deliver and install HCI hardware and software components.
• Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement a cloud-based backup solution that includes:
• Backup and recovery capabilities for virtual machines.
• Application-aware and data-consistent immutable backups.
• Built-in resilience to ransomware for the disaster recovery environment.
• Maintenance and Support: Provide ongoing maintenance and support for the installed solution for a minimum of five years.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to relevant standards, including ISO 9000, ISO 27000, ISO 20000, and ISO 14000, as applicable.
• Performance Monitoring: Regularly report on performance metrics and address any issues that arise during the contract period.

The contractor must ensure that all services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively, aligning with the Council's operational needs.

3. Background & buyer context

Cavan County Council initiated this procurement to enhance its IT infrastructure in line with modern technological advancements and operational requirements. This initiative aligns with broader government policies aimed at improving public sector IT capabilities. The Council has a history of investing in technology to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. The incumbent provider is not specified in the tender documents, indicating an opportunity for new entrants to compete.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability (incl Indemnity to Principal): €13,000,000
• Public Liability (incl Indemnity to Principal): €6,500,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000
• Cyber Liability: €2,000,000
• Certifications: Compliance with relevant ISO standards (ISO 9000, ISO 27000, ISO 20000, ISO 14000).
• 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 overall scoring will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, with a maximum total score of 10,000. Bidders must achieve the minimum marks specified for each criterion to be considered for contract award.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided Tender Response Document (TRD) template.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing schedule as per the provided template.
• Case studies: Provide 2 case studies of similar projects, with values ranging from €100,000 to €600,000.
• Declarations: Include the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Declaration of Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made electronically via www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Contract duration: 5 years, with up to 2 one-year extensions based on performance and budget availability.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the agreed schedule, with invoices submitted as per the terms.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Council reserves the right to terminate the contract under specific conditions, including non-performance.
• IP ownership: The Council will retain copyright ownership of materials developed under the contract.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the primary contractor must maintain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €1,000,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The absence of specified past experience requirements could lead to variability in the quality of submissions.
• The contract's reliance on ongoing budget availability for extensions may introduce uncertainty for bidders.
• The lack of detailed SLAs/KPIs may lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the following characteristics:

• Credible bidders: Firms with a proven track record in IT infrastructure, particularly in hybrid cloud solutions, and the necessary insurance coverage.
• Consortiums allowed: Bidders may form consortiums or joint ventures to meet financial and technical capacity requirements.
• Bid preparation effort: Estimated at 10-15 days for a comprehensive submission.
• Pwin signal: The absence of an incumbent may provide an opportunity for new entrants, although the turnover threshold may limit participation.

11. Where to dig deeper

• RFT filename: RFT Request for Tender Document.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: TEN2600042
• Contact email: Geraldine McManus via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 - Specification, Appendix 2 - Data Processing Declaration Form, Appendix 3 - Service Contract.