Request for offers for the supply of a disk array

EXPLANATION OF 20.07.2021

In reference to the following question concerning the request for offers:

“In reference to the request for offers for the supply of disk array of 30 June 2021, we would like to put clarifying questions:

Section 5 in TOR – Manner of data protection

The Orderer requests: „Array shall support RAID mechanisms complied with RAID1, RAID10, RAID5, RAID6  hardware realized with use of dedicated system, with possibility of their free combination within offered array and with the use of all hard disks (so-called wide-striping).”

Nowadays, in modern array solutions, some producers do not differentiate RAID1 and RAID10 levels as separate levels. They use one term RAID for these two levels and enable space creation from minimum two disks (amount usual for RAID1) to maximum 16 disks (amount from 4 to 16 are usual for RAID10). Such solution enables to fit both RAID1 and RAID10 configuration under RAID1 term.

Question: Will the Orderer accept systems which under RAID1 term enable creating both RAID1 and RAID10?

Section 8 in TOR – Cache upgrade.

The Orderer requests: „The array shall enable enlarging cache capacity for read to minimum 8 TB with the use of SSD disks or flash memory cards.”

The requirement fulfills solely array of HPE company, model: MSA 2060 what is flagrant breach of competitive rule and equal treatment of contractors to enable submitting the offer for only one producer.

The Orderer gives the minimum amount of cache 24G in total for two controllers. Such amount of cache in present solutions is definitely too low and it is the reason why often for increase of capacity producers enlarge cache by SSD hard disks. Such cache is used only for reading. At the same time, some producers assign SSD disk dedicated to cache to the selected controller, what cause that also disk resources need to be assigned to the specific controller, which result in capacity limitation resulting from that only part of disks works through the given part of cache on SSD disk.

Often, the producer adds additional cache on SSD disks because basic cache is used in more than 50% for so called metadata and not for data read or saved on the array. According to the fact that currently usually standard are disk systems in which cache is at minimum 32GB.

Question: Will the Orderer accept solution based on disk system in which cache is 64GB size and vast majority of this memory is dedicated to data handling and this system is optimized for writing small blocks to cache, which significantly enlarges productivity of disk system and enlarges probability of hits of readings from cache?

Such cache solution, as described, and possibility of creating disk pools in which data often used are automatically transferred to faster SSD disks cause that there is no need for cache upgrade with hard disks and it may be assumed this solution is equivalent and has much bigger flexibility. Currently, solution based on cache upgrade is starting to be considered outdated. At the same time, cache upgrade with SSD disks preclude using other definitely much more flexible and effective technology based on tiering, that is transfer of “hot” data to faster disks in the system and “cold” data to slower disks.

Section 11 in TOR – Management of disk groups and logical disks

The Orderer requests: „There shall be possibility of distributing single logical volume for all physical disks of array (so- called wide-striping) without need of combining many different logical disks into one bigger.”

The requirement fulfills solely array of HPE company, model: MSA 2060 what is flagrant breach of competitive rule and equal treatment of contractors to enable submitting the offer for only one producer.

In modern arrays is used virtualization of disk space which enables creating volume on all disks in the array. This functionality may be realized in various manners, one of them is mentioned in specification wide-striping, which is limited to using all disks of specific type and capacity and is not enabling creating one space from all, different types of disk which are installed in the array. The other solution, without disadvantages based on wide-striping is creating joint disk space composed of all disks and protected by selected RAID levels. Such solution allows for protection against failure of minimum two disks, creation of one volume from different, types of disks  which are in the array and reach maximum productivity.

Question: Will the Orderer accept alternative solution to wide-striping and at the same time not limiting productivity and safety of the stored data?”

The Orderer herby explains the following:

1. The Orderer requires full RAID10 support because of effectiveness gain apart from data securing. A vast majority of leading producers on the market have in their offer arrays which enable creating both RAID1 and RAID10.
2. The Orderer does not exclude possibility of upgrading disk array with additional shelves in the nearest future and it is the reason why big amount of cache (both for reading and saving) is essential element here. The Orderer will accept array which has “controller equipped with minimum 12 GB cache, 24GB for the whole system (built basing on productive memory of RAM type; write memory must be mirrored (mirroring) between disk controllers and enable enlarging cache capacity for read to minimum 8 TB with the use of SSD disks or flash memory cards)” or array which has “controller equipped with minimum 16 GB cache, 32GB for the whole system (built basing on productive memory of RAM type; write memory must be mirrored (mirroring) between disk controllers and enable enlarging cache capacity for read to minimum 4TB with the use of SSD disks or flash memory cards)”.
3. The Orderer will accept solution equivalent to wide-striping. The solution must be carried out by array’s controllers. Wide-striping solution is used by at least few array producers.

EXPLANATION OF 19.07.2021

In reference to the following question concerning the request for offers:

„In point 5 „Participation and eligibility criteria, and requested documents/statements” is stated:

„As part of the tender form, candidates must submit a signed declaration, included in the standard application form, to the effect that they are not in any of the exclusion situations listed in Section 2.3.3 of the Procedures and practical guide (PRAG) and due to a conflict of interest.

https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/funding/about-funding-and-procedures/procedures-and-practical-guide-prag_en

The Orderer reserves the right to request the Contractor to present respective documentation/ evidence that none of the exclusions exist.”

In reference to the above I have two questions:

1. Will be sufficient a simple statement like this: ”We declare that we are not in any of the exclusion situations listed in section 2.3.3. of the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EU External Actions (PRAG)“?
2. What type of documentation/evidence that none of the exclusions exist may you expect? According to rules and essence of submitting statements, the statement is itself confirmation of its content.”

The Orderer herby explains the following:

1. The statement which the Contractor shall submit is enclosed to the Tender Form – STATEMENT CONCERNING THE PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS, EXCLUSION CRITERIA AND LACK OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
2. As noted in the Request for Offers The Orderer reserves the right to request the Contractor to present respective documentation/ evidence (…), it means that the Orderer may request the Contractor to present the respective documentation but not necessarily will do so. Potential evidence may by for example certificate of no arrears in taxes or social contributions, certificate of clean criminal record, etc.