IWB, Storage Infrastructure

With this request for proposals, IWB aims to identify three competent, efficient, and customer-focused block storage suppliers (hereinafter referred to as “suppliers”) for a long-term partnership.

The three providers are to supply the block storage systems and provide support in the event of a failure (support in accordance with the SLA requirements in Section 1.4 below). Specific purchase orders will be placed in accordance with the mini-tender procedure described in Section 1.4.

The contracting authority pursues the following objectives with this procurement:

1) Modernize the existing storage infrastructure

2) A modern, high-performance, scalable, and highly available storage solution

3) High transparency regarding the utilization and configuration of the storage solution

4) Efficient operational processes for the operation, maintenance, and support of the storage solution

5) Transparent, traceable, and easily predictable costs in the event of further expansions

6) A high level of maturity in the support organization for the storage solution itself, as well as in terms of its experience in designing highly available and disaster-tolerant solutions

The intention is to enter into a framework agreement with three vendors for the procurement of new storage systems over the next 5 years.

The current status is listed in Appendix C1, “Storage Inventory.” From this, the vendors can see that IWB has generally used IBM systems for block storage to date. IWB intends to likely make one purchase over the course of the next five years.