Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2022-11-11
Buyer: Universitetet i Agder
Country: NO
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 48700000 | 48800000 | 48820000: Servers
Estimated value: 6400000 NOK

Technical requirements: The Centre for Artificial Intelligence research (CAIR) is a new top priority area for Universitet i Agder [the University of Agder]. CAIR is working with applied and basic research in artificial intelligence. CAIR is working to create brand new algorithm types with a universal application. This includes variations of deep neutral networks that require a lot of GPU power. We are working with specific artificial intelligence algorithms connected to health, energy, security, accounting and training. The AI research at the University of Agder is not only basic research but must also result in practical solutions for practical problems. The size of the problems that can be solved and the quality of thereof is directly connected to the capacity of the hardware used.
The University of Agder currently uses eight NVIDIA DGX-2s. We need however, to increase the capacity of our installed hardware. We therefore intend to increase the hardware with two NVIDIA DGX H100s, where also a full A1 software stack and support are included in the delivery.
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence research (CAIR) is a new top priority area for Universitet i Agder [the University of Agder]. CAIR is working with applied and basic research in artificial intelligence. CAIR is working to create brand new algorithm types with a universal application. This includes variations of deep neutral networks that require a lot of GPU power. We are working with specific artificial intelligence algorithms connected to health, energy, security, accounting and training. The AI research at the University of Agder is not only basic research but must also result in practical solutions for practical problems. The size of the problems that can be solved and the quality of thereof is directly connected to the capacity of the hardware used.
The University of Agder currently uses eight NVIDIA DGX-2s. We need however, to increase the capacity of our installed hardware. We therefore intend to increase the hardware with two NVIDIA DGX H100s, where also a full A1 software stack and support are included in the delivery.
The University of Agder considers the Public Procurement Regulations' §13-4, letter c, applies to this contract. The reasons are as follows:
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence research (CAIR) is a new top priority area for Universitet i Agder [the University of Agder]. CAIR is working with applied and basic research in artificial intelligence. CAIR is working to create brand new algorithm types with a universal application. This includes variations of deep neutral networks that require a lot of GPU power. We are working with specific artificial intelligence algorithms connected to health, energy, security, accounting and training. The AI research at the University of Agder is not only basic research but must also result in practical solutions for practical problems. The size of the problems that can be solved and the quality of thereof is directly connected to the capacity of the hardware used.
The University of Agder currently uses eight NVIDIA DGX-2s. We need however, to increase the capacity of our installed hardware. We therefore intend to increase the hardware with two NVIDIA DGX H100s, where also a full A1 software stack and support are included in the delivery. Since we already have an incorporated workflow based on the NVIDIA ecosystem, expanding the installed hardware with other solutions will introduce significant compatibility issues. Introducing a new system solution will also entail additional use of resources and strain on our operating environment.


Winner: Nextron AS
Award value: 6400000