Supercomputing Wales Project Final Evaluation

Tender description

The Supercomputing Wales ERDF Operation (SCW, “the Operation”) is a programme of investment in the university sector in Wales led by Cardiff University, in a consortium with Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea universities. With an estimated total cost of £16m, the programme will fund the purchase and running of new High Performance Computing (HPC) hubs at Cardiff and Swansea, along with necessary technical posts to support the operation of the equipment. The programme will also support a new cohort of ‘Research Software Engineers’ to work with academic researchers to develop software and algorithms using the supercomputing facilities. The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund via Welsh Government (c. £9m in total), and by the university partners. During the lifetime of the Operation (1 July 2015-30 September 2021), it is required to undertake three separate external independent evaluations to provide supporting evidence for how the programme is delivering against its aims, and how it contributes to the wider objectives of European Structural Funds and Welsh Government Policy in Wales. The aim of this procurement is to procure external services to evaluate and report on the activities of the Supercomputing Wales Operation by implementing the following evaluations: Final Evaluation, contract to end 30th November 2021 with a view to first draft report being submitted and corresponding follow-up meeting taking place before 30th September 2021, in line with operation end date.