II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD2
Main site or place of performance:
Cheshire.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Muir Group is looking to select an organisation who can implement a Fully Resilient Server and Storage solution which includes all the required network connectivity (if existing provision is deemed to be not suitable / incompatible) between the servers proposed storage solution.
The storage solution needs to be able maximise storage efficiencies, be scalable, be fully resilient in design both locally and across the primary and backup sites.
To ensure the solution is future proof we are looking for the core network / SAN networking to have high speed interconnects. Note: Current Server to SAN connectivity is 8Gbps Fibre Channel and the core network is 10Gbe.
It is envisaged that primary site will continue to be located at Muir Group's new Head office which is at Lightfoot Street in Chester and the Backup location will be installed in an external location. Note: Currently, Muir Group rent two racks from Melbourne in Manchester where their backup infrastructure is located.
The existing Infrastructure, including the VMware environment and Citrix environment will need to be migrated and upgraded to the latest versions of software; currently Muir Group has VMware VSphere 5.1.0 and Citrix XenApp 6.
The primary and backup locations are currently set up in a high availability mode to ensure that no single component failure would prevent any system / service availability. This level of resilience is required for the proposed solution.
The solution needs to have the capability to fail over to the backup site and have the capability to easily fall back to the primary site.
Muir Group's existing backup system enables them to backup multiple servers in parallel and recover data quickly, the existing solution enables them to hold on disk backups for up to 30 days, long term archiving of data is transferred to an LTO Tape Based system.
The current server and storage solution will be 5 years old in September 2017 after which it will not be covered under maintenance. The repurposed servers (used at the DR site at Melbourne) are over 8 years old.
Some of the current hardware could have maintenance extended, but not for a full 5 years and therefore not feasible retaining / reusing the existing hardware. Note: Muir Group are open to all options for delivering their requirements, but the decision on what is selected will be heavily weighted on the cost of the complete solution over the full 5 years.
Muir Group has invested heavily in training its IT staff on being able to maintain, operate and support the existing IT Environment; Training and handover on the new solution will need to be delivered as part of the solution.
Full documentation for the implemented solution will be required.
Full proof of tests performed during the commissioning of the solution will be required.
Once the solution has been built and the existing environment upgraded and migrated over to the new solution, Muir Group will need a support contracts in place for every element of the solution, including support for VMware, Citrix, Exchange, and the backup solution. Note: We envisage direct support contracts with the hardware / software vendors.
Muir Group does however require a 24*7*365 monitoring service for the implemented solution and monitoring of existing ICT Infrastructure components. Note: Muir Group currently have a contract to provide a 24*7*365 monitoring service that uses SolarWinds which is provided as a service.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
1 250 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 60
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The initial contract will be for 12 months to ensure the proposed solution can be delivered, the support services will be renewable annually. The hardware and software solution needs to be provided with 5 years maintenance and support from the vendor.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
Yes
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No