Address:
York University
Procurement Services
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M3J 1P3
Description:
PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES FOR BUILDING, INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING MICROSOFT SQL SERVER HIGH AVAILABILITY DATABASES ON VMWARE PLATFORM
York is soliciting Proposals from experienced and qualified Proponents for Professional IT services for building, installing, and configuring Microsoft SQL Server high availability databases on VMWare Platform.
York is looking to implement a high availability solution for Microsoft SQL Server on VxRail HCI platform including seamless application and database failover to a secondary node during database node failures. The failover should occur with minimum or no interruption to the application allowing users to continue using applications during failover. In addition, SQL Server resilient infrastructure can be used to avoid or eliminate outages during database maintenance periods, allowing for seamless maintenance without any user interruption.
The benefits include but are not limited to:
• Provide a high availability Microsoft SQL Server implementation design and support, and maintenance processes to meet the university’s needs
• Provide redundancy for MS/SQL hosted applications to ensure minimum or no downtime during database system failures
• Minimize or eliminate recovery time during database outages
• Provide greater flexibility to perform database maintenance without having to schedule extensive or any outages during maintenance periods
• Reduce the risk of data loss or other impact to the university during database failures
High level objectives include but not limited to:
• Provision of Microsoft SQL Server high availability utility featuring restore and recovery capabilities ensuring a high-level of database operation durability, fault tolerance, and service continuity
• Consolidation of Microsoft SQL Server database infrastructure resources into fewer database instances
• Enhancing reliability of database system performance for participating supported applications
• Improvements in system security profiles leveraging a certified, centrally managed design consistent with organizational governance guidelines and policies
• Provision for an application-focused analysis and support consignment of database service RTO/RPO/RCO targets
• Addressing a cost-optimization need of organizational SQL Server licensing
York’s preference is to award one (1) qualified and experienced Proponent for the Work outlined in this RFP.
York will only consider Proposal submissions received from Proponents who have registered with MERX (www.MERX.com) for this competitive bid. Proposal submissions from Proponents who have not registered and obtained this Bid Document directly from MERX will be disqualified.
Tendering Website:
Proponents will find the complete RFP Documents at: https://www.merx.com/
Pricing and Payment Terms are available on the MERX website, respectively.
Procurement Method:
Open tender whereby all interested Proponents may submit a Proposal.
Estimated Quantities:
Available within the RFP Documents.
Submission Details:
Proponents shall submit their Proposal response at: https://yorku.bonfirehub.ca
Submission Deadline:
August 4, 2022 at 3:00:00pm EST.
Public Opening:
Not Applicable.
Conditions for Participation:
Available within the RFP document.
Mandatory Submission Requirements:
- Executive Summary (Section 4.1) (File type: .pdf, maximum 10 pages) – Required
- Qualifications and Experience (Sections 4.2) (File type: .pdf, maximum 10 pages) – Required
- Approach (Section 4.3) (File type: .pdf, maximum 5 pages) – Required
- References (Section 4.5) (File type: .pdf, maximum 5 pages) – Required
- Acknowledgement (Section 9.0) (File type: .pdf) – Required
- Financial Considerations (Section 4.4 and Section 10.0) (File type: .pdf) - Required
- Alternative Proposals and Joint Proposals (Section 4.9 and 4.10)(File type: .pdf) – Optional
Complete submission requirements are provided within the RFP documents.
Scored Submission Requirements:
- Qualifications;
- Demonstrated Project Experience;
- Approach;
- Financial Evaluation; and
- Interviews.
Complete submission requirements are provided within the RFP documents.
This procurement is covered by Chapter 5 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
Delivery Date:
The Microsoft SQL Server high availability infrastructure modernization is planned to be implemented over next 24 months and York University would require supporting the SQL environment up to five years on need basis.
The Work is expected to begin as early as awarded. The specific start date will be determined once the awards are made.
Duration of Agreement:
The initial term of the Agreement shall begin from the date of award for twenty-four (24) months, with three (3) optional twelve (12) month extensions for on going support on a as needed as requested basis. All prices shall be net, firm and not negotiable for the initial twenty-four (24) months. Should York choose to exercise its option to extend subsequent to the initial term, any extension to the Agreement shall be upon the same terms and conditions, except for price, which shall be agreed in writing by the parties and shall not exceed the Consumer Price Index – Canada, All-items.
Negotiation:
Following evaluation of all Proposals, it is York’s intention to enter into negotiations with the leading Proponent who offers the best overall value to York.
York reserves the right in its sole discretion to negotiate modifications to any Proposal received without becoming obligated to offer to negotiate with any other Proponent(s).
Supplier Prequalification (if applicable):
Not Applicable.
