High Performance Computing Facility

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

Legal Basis:

Directive 2014/24/EU

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)Name and addresses

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
United Kingdom
E-mail: sec270@lists.ecmwf.int
NUTS code: UKJ11

Internet address(es):Main address: https://www.ecmwf.int/

Address of the buyer profile: http://procurement.ecmwf.int/

I.2)Information about joint procurement

I.3)Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: http://procurement.ecmwf.int/

Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via: http://procurement.ecmwf.int/

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at: http://procurement.ecmwf.int/

I.4)Type of the contracting authority

European institution/agency or international organisation

I.5)Main activity

Other activity: Meteorological Services

Section II: Object

II.1)Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)Title:

Procurement of a High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF)

Reference number: ECMWF/ITT/2018/270

II.1.2)Main CPV code

30200000

II.1.3)Type of contract

Services

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.1.5)Estimated total value

II.1.6)Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: no

II.2)Description

II.2.1)Title:

II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)

II.2.3)Place of performance

NUTS code: ITH55

Main site or 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

Criteria below

Quality criterion – Name: Committed Performance / Weighting: 50

Quality criterion – Name: Implementation plan, flexibility and risks / Weighting: 15

Quality criterion – Name: Quality of technical solution and environmental impact / Weighting: 25

Quality criterion – Name: Quality of service provision and support model / Weighting: 10

Price – Weighting: 0

II.2.6)Estimated value

II.2.7)Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 48

This contract is subject to renewal: no

II.2.10)Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no

II.2.11)Information about options

Options: no

II.2.12)Information about electronic catalogues

II.2.13)Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no

II.2.14)Additional information

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)Conditions for participation

III.1.1)Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

III.1.2)Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

III.1.3)Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

III.1.5)Information about reserved contracts

III.2)Conditions related to the contract

III.2.1)Information about a particular profession

III.2.2)Contract performance conditions:

III.2.3)Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)Description

IV.1.1)Type of procedure

Open procedure

IV.1.3)Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

IV.1.4)Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue

IV.1.6)Information about electronic auction

IV.1.8)Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: no

IV.2)Administrative information

IV.2.1)Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the OJ S: 2018/S 119-270732

IV.2.2)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date: 12/02/2019

Local time: 14:00

IV.2.3)Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

IV.2.4)Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted:

English

IV.2.6)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Tender must be valid until: 20/12/2019

IV.2.7)Conditions for opening of tenders

Date: 12/02/2019

Local time: 14:00

Place:

Reading, UK

Information about authorised persons and opening procedure:

Not applicable

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1)Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: no

VI.2)Information about electronic workflows

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)Procedures for review

VI.4.1)Review body

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
United KingdomInternet address: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/about/suppliers

VI.4.2)Body responsible for mediation procedures

VI.4.3)Review procedure

VI.4.4)Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
United KingdomInternet address: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/about/suppliers

VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:

12/11/2018