Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2018-05-16
Buyer: EirGrid plc
Country: IE
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Negotiated procedure
CPV classification: 48730000: Security software package | 48731000: File-security software package | 48732000: Data-security software package | 72212730 | 72212731
Estimated value: 1400000 EUR
Submission deadline: 2018-06-20
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: EirGrid operates and maintains an extensive and complex range of enterprise (IT) systems, including mission critical IT systems that operate critical national infrastructure. Enterprise vulnerability management is a key element in ensuring the successful secure operation of these systems. To enhance its existing enterprise vulnerability management program EirGrid has a requirement for the delivery of an enterprise class Vulnerability and security configuration assessment solution. 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 Group, in its role as Transmission system operator (TSO) and Market operator (MO), operates and maintains an extensive and complex range of enterprise Information technology (IT) systems, including mission critical IT systems that operate critical national infrastructure. Enterprise vulnerability management is a key element in ensuring the successful secure operation of these systems. To enhance its existing enterprise vulnerability management program EirGrid has a requirement for the delivery of an enterprise class Vulnerability and security configuration assessment solution.
The objective of this Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) process is to produce a short-list of suitably qualified Candidates who would be invited to tender for the delivery (including supply, implementation, configuration, training, technical support and maintenance) of an enterprise class Vulnerability and security configuration assessment solution in accordance with the Scope of requirements.
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.
The contract period will be for an initial duration of 3 years with an option to extend annually for a further 2 years, subject always to the satisfactory performance of the supplier.
Under Article 50.f of Directive 2014/25/EU 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 for this project. 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.
9) Without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment, the Contracting Authority is not obliged to engage in a clarification process in respect of questionnaires with missing or incomplete information. Therefore, candidates are advised to ensure that they return fully completed questionnaires in order to avoid the risk of elimination from the competition.
The Contracting Authority will not conclude this contract to which a standstill period applies in accordance with Council Directive 2014/25/EU, until after the expiry of the standstill period which commences on the day following the date of notification on concerned candidates and tenderers. The duration of the standstill period will be 14 calendar days where notifications are sent electronically or by fax and 16 calendar days where these are sent by any other means. The Statutory instrument mentioned above provides that review procedures are available in the High Court to a person who has or has had an interest in obtaining the reviewable public contract and alleges that he or she has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by an infringement of the law in relation in this contract.

Eligibility requirements: Please see Information memorandum and Pre-qualification Questionnaire attached to this notice.

Award value: 1400000