Computer equipment and supplies

Tender description

The purpose of this ITT is to procure a High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF) for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The replacement HPCF will be installed in ECMWF’s new data centre in Bologna, Italy and will run in parallel with the existing HPCF until the end of September 2020. It will then provide a production service to the end of the contract period, September 2024. ECMWF’s existing high performance computing resources were acquired under an agreement that is scheduled to expire at the end of September 2020. The final configuration delivered under this agreement comprises 2 Cray XC systems each with 3600 36-core application nodes. More information on ECMWF's current HPCF can be found here: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/computing/our-facilities/supercomputer The replacement HPCF will be installed in ECMWF’s new data centre in Bologna, Italy and will run in parallel with the existing HPCF until the end of September 2020. It will then provide a production service to the end of the contract period, September 2024. The IFS RAPS benchmark (RAPS18), which will be used to assess performance of systems bid in response to this ITT, has been released. For instructions on accessing the benchmark code please email ecbench@lists.ecmwf.int ECMWF’s intent is to procure the HPCF by means of a service contract that includes the provision / removal of hardware together with other items such as software licences and upgrades, hardware and software maintenance, support, training and migration assistance. As an operational weather forecasting centre, ECMWF has obligations to provide meteorological products to a tight schedule and strives to be as environmentally responsible as possible. Great store is put on providing an efficient and resilient HPCF to ensure that the products are delivered on time.