Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2019-03-04
Buyer: EirGrid plc
Country: IE
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Negotiated procedure
CPV classification: 72000000 | 72212517 | 72212700: Utility software programming services | 72212781 | 72212983
Estimated value: 3650000 EUR
Submission deadline: 2019-04-02
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: Scope of requirements is to use the models developed by EirGrid and functionality contained in the current WSAT tool or to develop a new software application. EirGrid envisages this project being a solution which will evolve over time and therefore intends awarding a contract with a potential maximum relationship of 20 years including options for renewal at various stages over the life of the arrangement. EirGrid envisages qualifying up to 5 candidates from this pre-qualification.
The scope of requirements is to use the models developed by EirGrid and functionality contained in the current WSAT tool or to develop a new software application to include, but not limited to:
The look-ahead security assessment tool will perform power system security analysis (steady-state and dynamic) across a time horizon from real-time up to (typically) 24 hours. The tool will suggest preventive measures in cases where the security criteria (to be defined in the detailed functional specification) is not met.
The tool will assess operational security components such as transient stability, voltage stability, frequency stability and thermal loading.
The tool output will facilitate system operations real-time decision making, displaying results in an appropriate manner to be detailed in the tender.
The tool will be based on RMS positive sequence calculations (steady-state load flow and time-domain dynamics). The time domain solver must include variable time step capability.
The tool performance will be the equal, or better, to the existing WSAT tool as outlined in the Background section above.
The tool shall be operational in EirGrid’s Control Centres (Dublin and Belfast) by the end of 2019. The duration of the delivery contract will be up to project completion which will include for development, installation, testing, model validation, tool validation and integration of the tool in accordance with agreed programme. The services agreement will commence on the services commencement date and will be for an initial duration of 3 years with an option to extend. EirGrid envisages qualifying up to 5 candidates from this pre-qualification.
Under Article 50.F as set out in Council Directive 2014/25/EU as transposed into Irish law by the European Union Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 286 of 2016) (the “Regulations”) and given the complexity of EirGrid system set-up, the software installed may become embedded into EirGrid systems architecture. This may lead to future contracts for continuous support. Therefore EirGrid may award future contracts for continuous support up to the maximum allowed 20 years, subject always to the satisfactory performance of the supplier.
1) Interested parties must register their interest on the eTenders web site (www.etenders.gov.ie) in order to be included on the mailing list for clarifications. All information relating to attachments, including clarifications and changes, will be published on the Irish Government Procurement Opportunities Portal (www.etenders.gov.ie) only. Registration is free of charge. The Contracting Authority will not accept responsibility for information relayed (or not relayed) via third parties;
3) The Contracting Authority will not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by candidates or tenderers;
5) It will be a condition of award that candidates are tax compliant and are in a position to produce a valid tax clearance certificate or eTax clearance from the revenue commissioners when requested;
6) If for any reason it is not possible to award the contract one or more of the tenderers invited following the conclusion of this competitive process, the Contracting Authority reserves the right to award the contract to the next ranked tenderer as appropriate;
7) At its absolute discretion, the Contracting authority may elect to terminate this procurement process or any contract awarded;
8) Please note in relation to all documents, that where reference is made to a particular standard, make, source, process, trademark, type or patent, that this is not to be regarded as a de facto requirement. In all such cases it should be understood that such indications are to be treated strictly and solely for reference purposes only, to which the words ‘or equivalent’ will always be appended;

Eligibility requirements: Please see information memorandum and pre-qualification questionnaire attached to this notice.

Award value: 3650000