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AIRR Expansion AI Cloud Compute
Descriptions
This notice is to alert the market that the Authority has begun formal market engagement in advance of its procurement for an innovative, scalable and flexible cloud solution to bolster the existing compute capacity of the AI Research Resource (AIRR). The Authority shall procure a solution that seamlessly integrates with the existing AIRRPortal, which is the current method by which users access AIRR's two existing supercomputers: Isambard-AI (at the University of Bristol), and Dawn (at the University of Cambridge).
The Authority has three key objectives for this procurement:
• Expand National AI Compute Capacity
To significantly increase the UK's AI research infrastructure by expanding national compute capacity, supporting the government's long-term ambition to expand to increase capacity twentyfold by 2030.
• Unlock Technological Flexibility and Scalability
Harness the flexibility of and scalability of cloud computing to ensure that AIRR users have timely access to the latest, most advanced hardware, enabling rapid adaptation to evolving research and industry needs.
• Drive Innovation and Societal Impact
Equip UK researchers from academia, public institutions and SMEs with world-class facilities to accelerate innovation and deliver transformative solutions in critical domains such as climate science, energy, medicine, and advanced materials, supporting economic growth and public good through Social Value commitments.
Pursuant to this, the Authority shall be conducting a procurement exercise to secure a contract worth up to £250,000,000 over a period of up to 4 years. The solution must include:
• A baseline capacity of cloud resources accessible to authorised users via the AIRR Portal, either provided directly or via a brokered/multi-cloud provider model;
• On-demand scalability to enable access to additional GPU capacity beyond baseline capacity;
• A managed service that will include secure data storage, orchestration for machine learning workloads, usage monitoring, reporting, demand forecasting and active security management;
• Technical support and integration that shall enable full integration into the existing AIRRPortal.
Out-of-scope aspects include any user assistance not directly related to compute provision, such as support with AIRR access agreements or administration of the AIRRPortal; these functions are handled by UKRI and the University of Bristol, who operate the AIRRPortal in collaboration with DSIT.
This notice is solely for the purpose of engaging the market to gather information. It does not constitute a call for competition or form part of a competitive process. Participation in this engagement will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement, nor will it bind the Authority to proceed with any specific course or action.
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Tender Regions
CPV Codes
72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
72315000 - Data network management and support services
72317000 - Data storage services
72500000 - Computer-related services
72416000 - Application service providers
Keywords
IT consulting
software development
web services
network support
system integration
IT infrastructure management
digital transformation
cloud services
cybersecurity support
application maintenance
helpdesk services
technical support
software customization
IT outsourcing
network configuration management
infrastructure surveillance
node monitoring
network integrity support
traffic flow regulation
diagnostic network tools
interconnection services
managed switch support
virtual network assistance
enterprise network troubleshooting
data archiving
digital storage
cloud data storage
secure file retention
electronic backup
offsite storage
database preservation
long-term data safekeeping
hosted storage systems
IT data vault
application hosting services
SaaS platforms
cloud application delivery
on-demand app services
managed software hosting
enterprise app solutions
subscription-based software
web app hosting
hosted business applications
remote application delivery
IT asset support
system lifecycle administration
technology operations assistance
digital service provisioning
endpoint management
integrated tech solutions
computer utility coordination
on-premise system support
general computing assistance
workstation management
Tender Lot Details
2 Tender Lots
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Possible Competitors
1 Possible Competitors
