1.0 Introduction
The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) seeks a vendor to supply, install, and configure a scalable and interoperable Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution. The NAS will centralize data storage, ensuring compatibility with existing IT systems and future growth.
2.0 Project Objectives
Primary Objectives:
- Provide a scalable and high-performance storage solution.
- Enable secure and efficient data sharing across departments.
- Ensure compatibility with the existing IT environment.
- Facilitate seamless upgrades with minimal downtime.
- Conduct a Proof of Concept (POC) to validate functionality and compatibility.
Secondary Objectives:
- Enhance data protection through backup and redundancy features.
- Optimize storage utilization with intelligent management tools.
- Improve workflow efficiency by ensuring fast and reliable data access.
3.0 Scope of Work
3.1 Pre-Sales
- Assess current IT infrastructure and storage needs.
- Design a NAS solution aligned with objectives and technical specifications.
- Prepare a detailed proposal with implementation plans and costs.
3.2 Deployment
- Supply and install NAS hardware and software components.
- Configure the NAS for optimal performance and security.
- Migrate data with integrity and minimal disruption.
- Integrate NAS with existing networks and security protocols.
3.3 Post-Deployment
- Provide user training on NAS operations and data management.
- Offer technical support, updates, and maintenance services.
- Monitor performance and tune the system for efficiency.
- Train IT staff on administration and troubleshooting.
4.0 Technical Specifications
4.1 Hardware
- Preferred brands: HPE, Dell EMC, IBM, or NetApp.
- High-performance multi-core processors and scalable memory up to 128 GB.
- Support for at least 12 hot-swappable SATA/SAS drive bays.
- Quad 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports with failover and link aggregation.
4.2 Software
- Secure NAS-optimized OS with web-based management.
- Support for protocols: iSCSI, SMB/CIFS, NFS, and FTP.
- Built-in RAID support and integration with Active Directory.
- Features: snapshots, replication, antivirus, and cloud storage gateways.
4.3 Compatibility
- Support for file systems like NTFS, ext4, and ZFS.
- Adherence to open standards for third-party integration.
- Backward and forward compatibility for seamless upgrades.
5.0 Evaluation Criteria
- Technical Compliance (40%)
- Scalability and Futureproofing (20%)
- Security and Data Protection (20%)
- Vendor Support and Services (10%)
- Cost and Total Cost of Ownership (10%)
6.0 Submission Requirements
- Technical and financial proposals in separate files.
- Detailed project schedule and costs.
- Company profile with references and past project evidence.
- Submit documents by 5:00 pm, December 4, 2024, to procurement@aercafrica.org.
Contact
Executive Director
African Economic Research Consortium
3rd Floor, Mebank Towers, Jakaya Kikwete Road
PO Box 62882-00200, Nairobi.
Email: procurement@aercafrica.org