In December 2011, the Minister for Science announced a new 158m pounds sterling capital
investment in e-infrastructure which included 43m pounds sterling for ARCHER, the next national HPC facility for academic research.
The overall vision for ARCHER is to build on the existing investments in national HPC facilities so that the UK is a recognised leader on the international scene for computational science and engineering. In order to achieve this, UK researchers must be able to carry out internationally competitive research across the remit of EPSRC, NERC and BBSRC.
EPSRC, as managing agent for the national HPC facility on behalf of the other Research Councils, is
now inviting bids for the hardware element for Phase one of the facility - this includes software, maintenance and deep CSE support for an initial four year period with an option to extend this for a fifth year. Phase 1 has a budget of 23m pounds sterling (in FY 13/14) inclusive of associated services, duties and VAT.
Bidders should be aware that Phase 2 of ARCHER planned for FY 14/15 has a budget of 10m pounds sterling - this Phase 2 has yet to be specified. This may be subject to a separate competition unless a suitable costing mechanism is included in the Phase 1 contract.
In addition to Phases 1 and 2, and subject to review by the Council this contract may be extended for a further three years should additional sums of up to 20m pounds sterling become available during the initial or extended period.
Bid documentation is available at: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/pubs/tenders/Pages/archer.aspx
Interested bidders should notify the contact point detailed at I.1 to ensure that they are invited to the Suppliers briefing session on the 10 January 2012 and are notified of any additional information provided during the tender period.
Ref: PR120038,
RCUK Shared Services Centre Ltd
North Star House, North Star Avenue
Contact point(s): Major Projects Procurement - Buyer046
SN2 1FF Swindon
UNITED KINGDOM
E-mail: buyer046@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: www.ssc.rcuk.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: www.ssc.rcuk.ac.uk/procure/pages/default.aspx
Electronic access to information: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/pubs/tenders/Pages/archer.aspx
Electronic submission of tenders and requests to participate: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/pubs/tenders/Pages/archer.aspx
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Contract value: Supply of a HPC system including software, maintenance and deep CSE support for an initial period of 4/5 years.
Published: 19 Dec 2012, Receipt by: 28 Jan 2013
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