University College Dublin has a requirement for the supply of rack servers, blade servers and enclosures, Converged Infrastructure Technologies and associated equipment, to replace and upgrade existing installations and commission new services.

This framework agreement will be used to provide this equipment to a range of projects within the period of the agreement.

Primarily these frameworks are being put in place for use by UCD, however, the following organisations may wish to avail of the supply agreements with the preferred suppliers on this framework:

— Dublin City University,

— National University of Ireland Galway,

— National University of Ireland Maynooth,

— Trinity College Dublin,

— University College Cork,

— University of Limerick,

— the University’s strategic partners (or any future strategic partners), including the National College of Art and Design, the Institute of Public Administration and the Institute of Bankers.

It should be noted that there is no obligation on any of the above institutions to purchase under this framework.

UCD intends to put in place a multi-vendor framework agreement/s with a minimum of three suppliers and a maximum 6 of the top scoring tenderers per lot (2 lots) for the supply of the specified equipment as the requirements arise over the period of the agreement/s. The framework agreement/s will be awarded to a minimum of 3 suppliers and a maximum of 6 of the top scoring tenderers per lot following a competitive process. UCD reserves the right to invite additional firms to participate on the framework if it deems it necessary for the successful running of the agreement.

For full details of the technical requirements please see the documents and drawings attached to the contract notice on www.etenders.gov.ie.

Note: to register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the eTenders Web Site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=347432.

The awarding authority has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via a 'Tender Submission Postbox' facility. Further details of this facility are available at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/PostBox/Postbox_Explain.aspx?ID=347432.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. The postbox closes precisely at the time stated.