RFP for an On-Premise Enterprise Storage Platform

⁠⁠⁠The key objective of this RFP is to appoint a preferred supplier for the provision of an on-premise Storage Solution for the University's Enterprise Standard Operating Environment (SOE), staff and student storage needs.

This Procurement will seek a partner that can provide the University with an enterprise-grade storage solution with the following main characteristics:

•  Current generation enterprise storage options (Storage, from conventional hard disks to high-performance Solid State and Non-volatile Memory Express drives).
•  Rack-mountable chassis, with efficient power supplies, and [10|25|100] gigabit network interfaces to cope with business data demands.
•  An automated system administration solution, which can monitor system operations and automate the various management processes (reducing human administration overhead).
•  An API or Orchestration Solution for this platform that will enable further automation using 3rd party tools (again reducing human administration overhead).
•  Automated data tiering capabilities to ensure the data is stored on the most suitable (cost effective) storage tier and to reduce the total cost of ownership of the platform while maintaining acceptable service levels.
•  Warranty and support services, with proven 24x7, 4hr response options, and locally supplied spares on critical components, will be required. Specialised design and implementation services will also be required with some key solutions.
•  Comprehensive reporting capabilities at the array, storage pool and at the file level, including reporting against user quotas. (For data management, and storage compliance)
•  Achieve resiliency at all levels of the solution to ensure business continuity.

Partners must have the capacity to meet enterprise demands and support levels.