--- title: "Supercomputing Wales - Software Maintenance" ocid: "ocds-kuma6s-122225" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-kuma6s-122225" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-122225.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-122225.json" source: "Sell2Wales" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "CARDIFF UNIVERSITY" published: "2022-11-15" --- # Supercomputing Wales - Software Maintenance Buyer: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-kuma6s-122225 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-kuma6s-122225) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-122225.json) ## Summary The procurement process for the public contract "Supercomputing Wales - Software Maintenance" is led by Cardiff University, a Body governed by public law in the Education sector based in Cardiff, UK. The tender aims to establish new Software Maintenance and Support agreements for existing call-off contracts/systems. The deadline for submission is set for September 2022, with licenses and maintenance support being included in the scope. The procurement method is an Open procedure in the services category. This tender by Cardiff University presents opportunities for businesses specializing in software maintenance and support services within the high-performance computing industry. Companies with expertise in providing software updates, fixing snags, security patches, and guidance on research-based workloads could excel in competing for this contract. The collaborative nature of the Supercomputing Wales consortium offers a platform for innovative businesses to contribute to vital research breakthroughs through advanced computing solutions. ## Notice Supercomputing Wales (SCW) is a GBP20m pan-Wales programme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government (Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)) to provide a state-of-the-art supercomputing and big data facility for Wales. The programme is a collaboration between four universities, led by Cardiff University in partnership with Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities. Researchers at the consortium universities access two supercomputing (high-performance computing (HPC)) hubs, one at Cardiff University and one at Swansea university, via a high-speed network. The facilities allow these users to perform complex calculations which wouldn't otherwise be possible. Expert Research Software Engineers work with researchers to develop software to utilise the facilities, simulate complex problems and enable innovative, world-class research that will lead to vital research breakthroughs. An OJEU tender process was conducted on behalf of Supercomputing Wales by Cardiff University in 2017 to award a bespoke framework agreement to provide the technology infrastructure (hardware and software). This resulted in the identification of a main technology lead contractor with a number of authorised subcontractors to supply the research computing infrastructure and relevant support services to Supercomputing Wales. The two HPC hubs were upgraded in 2018 through this framework. Further goods and services have been purchased via the framework since 2018 by both Cardiff and Swansea universities; the majority of these expansion purchases have been funded from other research grants to allow dedicated access or functionality for specific research teams; they also add value to the original ERDF investment. The framework agreement, of which the signatories are Cardiff University (acting on behalf of the Supercomputing Wales consortium) and a main supplier (acting on behalf of sub-contractors), came to the end of its four-year term in March 2022. This procurement process is for the following: New Software Maintenance and Support (M&S) agreements for existing call-off contracts/systems. Currently there are a number of Call-off Contracts in place between SCW and the lead Contractor. Many of these call-off contracts out-live the overall framework agreement which expired in March 2022. There is therefore now a requirement for new Software Maintenance and Support agreements. The Cardiff University M&S contract for the main Hawk system expires late September 2022, but as this procurement will likely lead to the purchase of new software, it needs to be in place for testing before that date. The following is within scope: Cardiff University Invitation to Tender - ITT Guidance and Instructions 4 Licenses for the multiple components of system software that, together, deliver the optimal performance of the high performance computing infrastructure on research-based workloads: "the software stack"; associated maintenance and support, which includes software updates, fixing of snags and glitches, security patches and guidance, advice and training on using the software. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Supercomputing Wales (SCW) is a GBP20m pan-Wales programme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government (Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)) to provide a state-of-the-art supercomputing and big data facility for Wales. The programme is a collaboration between four universities, led by Cardiff University in partnership with Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities. Researchers at the consortium universities access two supercomputing (high-performance computing (HPC)) hubs, one at Cardiff University and one at Swansea university, via a high-speed network. The facilities allow these users to perform complex calculations which wouldn't otherwise be possible. Expert Research Software Engineers work with researchers to develop software to utilise the facilities, simulate complex problems and enable innovative, world-class research that will lead to vital research breakthroughs. An OJEU tender process was conducted on behalf of Supercomputing Wales by Cardiff University in 2017 to award a bespoke framework agreement to provide the technology infrastructure (hardware and software). This resulted in the identification of a main technology lead contractor with a number of authorised subcontractors to supply the research computing infrastructure and relevant support services to Supercomputing Wales. The two HPC hubs were upgraded in 2018 through this framework. Further goods and services have been purchased via the framework since 2018 by both Cardiff and Swansea universities; the majority of these expansion purchases have been funded from other research grants to allow dedicated access or functionality for specific research teams; they also add value to the original ERDF investment. The framework agreement, of which the signatories are Cardiff University (acting on behalf of the Supercomputing Wales consortium) and a main supplier (acting on behalf of sub-contractors), came to the end of its four-year term in March 2022. This procurement process is for the following: New Software Maintenance and Support (M&S) agreements for existing call-off contracts/systems. Currently there are a number of Call-off Contracts in place between SCW and the lead Contractor. Many of these call-off contracts out-live the overall framework agreement which expired in March 2022. There is therefore now a requirement for new Software Maintenance and Support agreements. The Cardiff University M&S contract for the main Hawk system expires late September 2022, but as this procurement will likely lead to the purchase of new software, it needs to be in place for testing before that date. The following is within scope: Cardiff University Invitation to Tender - ITT Guidance and Instructions 4 Licenses for the multiple components of system software that, together, deliver the optimal performance of the high performance computing infrastructure on research-based workloads: "the software stack"; associated maintenance and support, which includes software updates, fixing of snags and glitches, security patches and guidance, advice and training on using the software. Renewal: May be extended for up to another 12 months ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Sell2Wales | | Latest notice | https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=122225 | | Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Nov 2022 | | Submission deadline | 18 Jul 2022 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 14 Nov 2022 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £300,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £139,690 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY | | Locality | CARDIFF | | Post town | Cardiff | | Postcode | CF24 0DE | | Country | Wales | | ITL 1 | TLL Wales | | ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales | | ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | | Local authority | Cardiff | | Electoral ward | Adamsdown | | Westminster constituency | Cardiff East | | Delivery location | TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | OCF | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72267000 - Software maintenance and repair services ## Release History - 15 Nov 2022 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=122225 - 16 Jun 2022 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=122225 ## Documents - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN402308 Supercomputing Wales - Software Maintenance - Supercomputing Wales (SCW) is a GBP20m pan-Wales programme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government (Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)) to provide a state-of-the-art supercomputing and big data facility for Wales. The programme is a collaboration between four universities, led by Cardiff University in partnership with Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities. Researchers at the consortium universities access two supercomputing (high-performance computing (HPC)) hubs, one at Cardiff University and one at Swansea university, via a high-speed network. The facilities allow these users to perform complex calculations which wouldn't otherwise be possible. Expert Research Software Engineers work with researchers to develop software to utilise the facilities, simulate complex problems and enable innovative, world-class research that will lead to vital research breakthroughs. An OJEU tender process was conducted on behalf of Supercomputing Wales by Cardiff University in 2017 to award a bespoke framework agreement to provide the technology infrastructure (hardware and software). This resulted in the identification of a main technology lead contractor with a number of authorised subcontractors to supply the research computing infrastructure and relevant support services to Supercomputing Wales. The two HPC hubs were upgraded in 2018 through this framework. Further goods and services have been purchased via the framework since 2018 by both Cardiff and Swansea universities; the majority of these expansion purchases have been funded from other research grants to allow dedicated access or functionality for specific research teams; they also add value to the original ERDF investment. The framework agreement, of which the signatories are Cardiff University (acting on behalf of the Supercomputing Wales consortium) and a main supplier (acting on behalf of sub-contractors), came to the end of its four-year term in March 2022. This procurement process is for the following: New Software Maintenance and Support (M&S) agreements for existing call-off contracts/systems. Currently there are a number of Call-off Contracts in place between SCW and the lead Contractor. Many of these call-off contracts out-live the overall framework agreement which expired in March 2022. There is therefore now a requirement for new Software Maintenance and Support agreements. The Cardiff University M&S contract for the main Hawk system expires late September 2022, but as this procurement will likely lead to the purchase of new software, it needs to be in place for testing before that date. The following is within scope: Cardiff University Invitation to Tender - ITT Guidance and Instructions 4 Licenses for the multiple components of system software that, together, deliver the optimal performance of the high performance computing infrastructure on research-based workloads: "the software stack"; associated maintenance and support, which includes software updates, fixing of snags and glitches, security patches and guidance, advice and training on using the software. - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV418868 Supercomputing Wales - Software Maintenance - Supercomputing Wales (SCW) is a GBP20m pan-Wales programme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government (Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)) to provide a state-of-the-art supercomputing and big data facility for Wales. The programme is a collaboration between four universities, led by Cardiff University in partnership with Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities. Researchers at the consortium universities access two supercomputing (high-performance computing (HPC)) hubs, one at Cardiff University and one at Swansea university, via a high-speed network. The facilities allow these users to perform complex calculations which wouldn't otherwise be possible. Expert Research Software Engineers work with researchers to develop software to utilise the facilities, simulate complex problems and enable innovative, world-class research that will lead to vital research breakthroughs. An OJEU tender process was conducted on behalf of Supercomputing Wales by Cardiff University in 2017 to award a bespoke framework agreement to provide the technology infrastructure (hardware and software). This resulted in the identification of a main technology lead contractor with a number of authorised subcontractors to supply the research computing infrastructure and relevant support services to Supercomputing Wales. The two HPC hubs were upgraded in 2018 through this framework. Further goods and services have been purchased via the framework since 2018 by both Cardiff and Swansea universities; the majority of these expansion purchases have been funded from other research grants to allow dedicated access or functionality for specific research teams; they also add value to the original ERDF investment. The framework agreement, of which the signatories are Cardiff University (acting on behalf of the Supercomputing Wales consortium) and a main supplier (acting on behalf of sub-contractors), came to the end of its four-year term in March 2022. This procurement process is for the following: New Software Maintenance and Support (M&S) agreements for existing call-off contracts/systems. Currently there are a number of Call-off Contracts in place between SCW and the lead Contractor. Many of these call-off contracts out-live the overall framework agreement which expired in March 2022. There is therefore now a requirement for new Software Maintenance and Support agreements. The Cardiff University M&S contract for the main Hawk system expires late September 2022, but as this procurement will likely lead to the purchase of new software, it needs to be in place for testing before that date. The following is within scope: Cardiff University Invitation to Tender - ITT Guidance and Instructions 4 Licenses for the multiple components of system software that, together, deliver the optimal performance of the high performance computing infrastructure on research-based workloads: "the software stack"; associated maintenance and support, which includes software updates, fixing of snags and glitches, security patches and guidance, advice and training on using the software. ## Notice URLs - http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/business/why-work-with-us/for-suppliers - https://api.sell2wales.gov.wales/v1?lang=cy/Notice?id=ocds-kuma6s-122225 - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/aspx/Home ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-kuma6s-122225. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-kuma6s-122225.json.