High Performance Computing Facility – Invitation to Tender
The purpose of this ITT is to procure a High Performance Computing Facility for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
United Kingdom-Reading: Computer equipment and supplies
2018/S 222-508053
Contract notice
Services
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name and addresses
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
United Kingdom
E-mail: sec270@lists.ecmwf.int
NUTS code: UKJ11
Address of the buyer profile: http://procurement.ecmwf.int/
I.3)Communication
I.4)Type of the contracting authority
I.5)Main activity
Section II: Object
II.1.1)Title:
Procurement of a High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF)
II.1.2)Main CPV code
II.1.3)Type of contract
II.1.4)Short description:
The purpose of this ITT is to procure a High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF) for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
The replacement HPCF will be installed in ECMWF’s new data centre in Bologna, Italy and will run in parallel with the existing HPCF until the end of September 2020. It will then provide a production service to the end of the contract period, September 2024.
II.1.6)Information about lots
II.2.3)Place of performance
At ECMWF’s data centre in Bologna, Italy
II.2.4)Description of the procurement:
ECMWF acquired its existing high-performance computing resources under an agreement that is scheduled to expire at the end of September 2020. The final configuration delivered under this agreement comprises two Cray XC systems each with 3600 36-core application nodes. The replacement HPCF will be installed in ECMWF’s new data centre in Bologna, Italy and will run in parallel with the existing HPCF until the end of September 2020. It will then provide a production service to the end of the contract period, September 2024.
ECMWF’s intention is to procure the HPCF by means of a service contract that delivers a flat performance profile over the duration of the service and includes the provision/removal of hardware together with other items such as software licences and upgrades, hardware and software maintenance, support, training and migration assistance. ECMWF has an option for an extension of the current contract on a monthly or quarterly basis, that can be used to provide flexibility in the start of the operational service period for the replacement HPCF.
The IFS RAPS benchmark (RAPS18u2.1), which will be used to assess performance of systems bid in response to this ITT, has been released. For instructions on accessing the benchmark code please email bench270@ecmwf.int
As an operational weather forecasting centre, ECMWF has obligations to provide meteorological products to a tight schedule and strives to be as environmentally responsible as possible. Great store is put on providing an efficient and resilient HPCF to ensure that the products are delivered on time.
II.2.5)Award criteria
II.2.7)Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
II.2.10)Information about variants
II.2.11)Information about options
II.2.13)Information about European Union funds
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1.2)Economic and financial standing
III.1.3)Technical and professional ability
III.2.3)Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1.1)Type of procedure
IV.1.8)Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
IV.2.1)Previous publication concerning this procedure
IV.2.2)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
IV.2.4)Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted:
IV.2.6)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
IV.2.7)Conditions for opening of tenders
Reading, UK
Not applicable
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about recurrence
VI.3)Additional information:
The procurement for the contract will be conducted in accordance with ECMWF’s procedures as set out in ECMWF’s Invitation to Tender documents, which are available on ECMWF’s eProcurement Portal (http://procurement.ecmwf.int/) and no other procedures will apply. In submitting this notice ECMWF does not waive the privileges and immunities granted to it by virtue of its status as an Intergovernmental Organisation or submit itself to any jurisdiction. Tenders must be submitted using ECMWF’s eProcurement Portal. Hard copy (paper) submissions will not be accepted.
VI.4.1)Review body
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
United KingdomInternet address: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/about/suppliers
VI.4.4)Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
United KingdomInternet address: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/about/suppliers
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice: