Request for Tenders for the Provision of Renewal of Cloudera Data Platform Licences and Support

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 procurement covers the renewal of Cloudera Data Platform licences and associated support services for An Garda Síochána (AGS). The contract is for the provision of these services by an authorised Cloudera reseller.

The scope of work includes:

• Licence Renewal: The primary activity is the renewal of existing Cloudera Data Platform licences. The specific components or modules of the Cloudera Data Platform are not detailed in the provided text, but the renewal implies continued access to and use of the software.
• Support Services: The contract includes ongoing support for the Cloudera Data Platform. The nature and level of support are not explicitly defined but are typically associated with software licences and may include technical assistance, bug fixes, and access to updates or patches.
• Authorised Reseller Status: Tenderers must be authorised Cloudera resellers to provide these licences and support.
• Contract Term: The initial contract term is for twelve (12) months.
• Extension Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two additional twelve (12) month periods. The total aggregate term will not exceed three (03) years.
• Estimated Value: The estimated expenditure for the initial service requirement is €840,000 (excluding VAT) over the term and any possible extensions. This figure is an estimate based on current and future expected usage.

The tender documents do not specify detailed technical requirements, specific software versions, or performance metrics for the Cloudera Data Platform itself. The focus is on the renewal of licences and the provision of associated support by an authorised reseller.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána (AGS). The requirement arises from the need to renew existing licences and support for the Cloudera Data Platform. The contract is being procured under an open procedure in accordance with the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The estimated value of the contract is €840,000 (excluding VAT) over an initial 12-month period, with potential for two 12-month extensions, bringing the maximum aggregate term to three years. An Garda Síochána aims to encourage participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in this competition, suggesting a policy to foster SME involvement in public contracts.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following criteria to be considered for evaluation:

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of €350,000 (excluding VAT) over the past three years. This is to be evidenced by a signed accountant's statement or equivalent.
• Insurance: The successful Tenderer must hold the following insurances for the term of the Services Contract:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000 limit per claim or series of claims arising from a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 limit per claim or series of claims arising from a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Product Liability: €1,000,000 limit per claim or series of claims arising from a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000 limit per claim or series of claims arising from a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Cyber Liability: €3,000,000 limit per claim or series of claims arising from a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Certifications: Tenderers must demonstrate compliance with Cybersecurity requirements ISO27001 and NIS2. They must also be able to complete all questions in domains specified as per the ISO 27002 Standard. Experience with PCI-DSS, SOC 2 / SOC for Cyber Security in the past 12 months is also queried.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Key Account Manager (KAM) must be contactable during office hours. Advance identification and vetting of all personnel and subcontractors working on the contract are required.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided extract. However, the tender states that Tenderers must achieve a minimum of 60% on each qualitative award criterion. The evaluation will be based on Award Criteria at Part 3.3, following the evaluation of compliant tenders against Selection Criteria. The overall approach is likely to be a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) evaluation, balancing price and quality, though the specific weighting is not provided.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit the following documentation:

• Electronic Single Procurement Document (eESPD): Completed and submitted electronically.
• All required documentation: As specified in the RFT.
• Format: Follow the RFT format and respond in the order presented.
• Tenderer’s Statement: A scanned, signed copy printed on the Tenderer’s letterhead, confirming acceptance of RFT requirements and Services Contract terms.
• Pricing Schedule: Completed as per Appendix 2. Prices must be all-inclusive, in Euro, and exclusive of VAT.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD).
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declaration of independent preparation of the tender.
• Consortia/Subcontractors: If applicable, details of all members of the group of undertakings and a nominated entity for communication.
• Submission Portal: Via the electronic postbox on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• File Format: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or PDF. Documents must be text searchable, not scanned images. Maximum 250MB per single document, 2GB total.
• Language: Tenders must be submitted in English.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: Initial 12 months, with two optional 12-month extensions, not exceeding 3 years aggregate.
• Payment: Subject to and made in accordance with the Services Contract (Appendix 5).
• Pricing: Prices quoted must remain valid for 180 days from the Tender Deadline. Price adjustments are permitted only on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and subsequent anniversaries, based on the Harmonised Consumer Price Index. Currency variations are borne by the Tenderer.
• Sub-contracting: Permitted, but the Prime Contractor carries overall responsibility. Subcontractors may need to submit separate eESPDs.
• Vetting/Security Clearance: Successful Tenderer and all personnel/subcontractors require vetting. An Garda Síochána reserves the right to refuse entry or require removal of personnel.
• Insurance: Mandatory insurances must be held for the term of the contract.
• Termination: Not explicitly detailed, but standard clauses regarding conflict of interest and failure to meet requirements are present.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Cybersecurity Focus: The explicit requirement for ISO27001 and NIS2 compliance, alongside queries about PCI-DSS and SOC 2, indicates a high level of concern regarding data security. Tenderers must have robust cybersecurity practices.
• Vetting Requirement: The mandatory vetting for all personnel and subcontractors working on the contract is a significant administrative and time-consuming requirement that could impact mobilisation speed and personnel availability.
• Estimated Value vs. Contract Length: The estimated value of €840,000 over a potential three-year period suggests an average annual spend of €280,000. This is below the minimum average annual turnover requirement of €350,000, which is unusual. Tenderers must ensure their average turnover meets the stated requirement, even if the estimated contract value is lower.
• No Price/Quality Split Specified: While the tender implies a MEAT approach, the absence of explicit weighting for award criteria makes it difficult for bidders to understand how their proposals will be evaluated beyond the minimum 60% qualitative threshold.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to be accessible to a range of suppliers, including SMEs, but with specific capabilities.

• Who can credibly bid: A credible bidder would be an established, authorised Cloudera reseller with a proven track record in providing software licences and support. They must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of €350,000 and possess strong cybersecurity credentials (ISO27001, NIS2). The insurance requirements are substantial, particularly Professional Indemnity and Cyber Liability at €6.5m and €3m respectively, which may be a barrier for very small or new entities.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender explicitly encourages SMEs to explore forming relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises. Consortium bids are permitted, and subcontractors can be used. This allows smaller firms to bid by pooling resources or expertise.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a compliant bid will require significant effort. This includes gathering financial evidence (accountant's statement), detailing cybersecurity compliance, preparing insurance certificates, and completing the eESPD and Tenderer's Statement. Estimating this effort is difficult without knowing the bidder's existing documentation, but it could range from 10-20 days for a well-prepared firm.
• Pwin signal: The tender does not explicitly name an incumbent. However, the requirement for authorised reseller status and the specific nature of Cloudera licences suggest that existing Cloudera partners are likely to be well-positioned. The emphasis on cybersecurity and vetting may also favour established players with robust internal processes.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: T.078.2026 RFT for the Provision of Renewal of Cloudera Data Platform Licenses and Support.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 5: Services Contract