Request for Proposals Data Management System / User Interface

Transcription

1 1 Request for Proposals Data Management System / User Interface RFP Release Date: Friday, February 24, 2017 Proposal Due Date: Monday, March 13, 2017, 4 pm Contract Manager Questions and Submissions to: Russell Dmytriw, Project Manager Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA) 1690 Hollis Street Unit 1001 Halifax, NS B3J 1V7 rdmytriw@oera.ca

2 2 Context The Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) manages the tidal energy demonstration facility located in Minas Passage, NS. FORCE operates the common infrastructure and leases subsea berths to tidal energy developers who test their in-stream turbines in the high current environment. As part of its responsibility, FORCE undertakes or commissions a variety of environmental effects monitoring studies and R&D activities, and therefore, collects a diversity of data types. These data include, for example, results from real time (live-stream) monitoring of the physical environment (e.g., wind speed, temperature, tides, etc.), time-discrete data from past and on-going environmental effects monitoring programs (e.g., spring porpoise detections, fish tagging results, etc.) and a variety of other data types. To effectively store, query and manipulate these data, FORCE requires a comprehensive data management system (DMS) that will (a) incorporate data collected to date and (b) accommodate future data streams. At the same time, data has been generated in the past by other institutions and companies besides FORCE, and considerable amounts of new data will be produced as the tidal industry moves from demonstration to commercialization. It is critical that these non-force datasets are also considered at this early stage of industry development, so that an appropriate management system can designed, funded and established in due course. FORCE is a not-for-profit Nova Scotia corporation established in 2009 to manage and operate the tidal energy demonstration facility located in Minas Passage. The contracting organization for this RFP is the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (OERA). OERA leads energy-related research projects that enable the sustainable development of Nova Scotia s offshore energy resources through strategic partnerships with academia, government and industry. Objective The primary objective of this request for proposal (RFP) is to contract a service provider (the Respondent) to define and describe a DMS and user interface for use by FORCE. Although not included in this RFP, the DMS design will subsequently be used to seek funding then commission a service provider to implement the system at FORCE. A secondary, but equally critical objective, is to integrate external, non-force past and future datasets into a broader conception of data management for the Nova Scotia tidal energy industry. There already exists two examples for this broader model: the CNSOPB s DMS and the UK Catapult s DMS. Upon review of these two data management systems (and any other relevant approaches), a secondary deliverable is to outline options for a data management system that would eventually include data from all Nova Scotia sources. An overview of existing FORCE datasets can be obtained from (please also note the FAST tab and the instrument descriptions found there). To date, FORCE has not generated an excessive amount of data and so planning for the implementation of a data management system (the subject of this RFP) is timely. Currently, FORCE s real time streams are managed by Oceans Network Canada (ONC), and can be viewed at The Respondent should be familiar with FORCE s existing data to more fully understand the scope of this work.

3 3 Scope of Work Task 1: Current and Future Data Type and Use Assessment Objective: Determine how FORCE currently uses its data and how it intends to use the data in the future. This task will help the Respondent plan the data management architecture and user interface. Method: The successful Respondent, in collaboration with FORCE staff, will review FORCE data types (including those resulting from studies commissioned or used by FORCE) and the resulting file sizes, as well as current and potential live stream data hosts. As part of these discussions, FORCE and the Respondent will consider how FORCE wishes to use the data in the future; that is, they will consider the functionality of the user interface, and whether it will be managed by FORCE staff or an external service provider. Outcome: These discussions must result in a general written outline of the various ways in which the FORCE datasets (with or without other datasets) can be hosted and accessed through different user interfaces. FORCE can then make an informed decision on the nature of an appropriate data management system. Task 2: Data Management Plan with Cost Estimate Objective: Based on the outcome of Task 1 and following discussions with the Respondent, FORCE will identify its preferred data management system and user interface. Following this decision, in Task 2, the Respondent will proceed to further define and cost out the system. FORCE will likely need to secure funding to build the data management system. The objective of this task is to provide a simple, executable series of tasks with an order-of-magnitude cost estimate to achieve the preferred option. Method: The Respondent will summarize in written form a conceptual data management system and user interface that can be used by FORCE in funding applications with supporting graphics as needed. Outcome: This written summary comprises the primary deliverable of this project. Task 3: Assessment of Industry-Wide Data Management Challenges Objective: OERA requires a preliminary yet comprehensive overview of the broader challenges to data management in Nova Scotia s tidal industry. The aim of this task is to describe possible future options to manage this data over the longer term. Method: Working with OERA, the Respondent will review the broad range of tidal energy-related data types collected by Nova Scotia academic and private sector researchers. Through OERA, the Respondent will correspond with data managers at CNSOPB and Catapult to understand their system architectures, management challenges, and installation/operation costs. The Respondent will discuss future Nova Scotia data characteristics (types, quantities, etc.) with OERA and FORCE, and consider how existing and future datasets that are not managed by FORCE can be integrated into a DMS. Finally, the Respondent will report on the findings of these activities; namely, the challenges and options for integrating and managing Nova Scotia s future (commercial scale) tidal sector data.

4 4 Outcome: This written summary, a separate section within the Task 2 report, is the secondary objective of this project. Project Funding The total available funding for this project is $15,000, not including applicable taxes. Proposal Requirements Respondents are encouraged to acknowledge receipt of this RFP in order to receive updates, responses to questions, etc. The proposal should be concisely worded with clearly defined objectives, activities, timelines and outcomes. The proposal should include a brief description of the Respondent s company and its experience with similar projects. It would also be helpful to describe the relevant work experience of the staff assigned to this project. Please refrain from including excessive corporate information. The Respondent must have a demonstrated experience in data management, GIS and information technology. Proposals should include provision for a brief kickoff meeting, a number of face-to-face meetings with FORCE and OERA, and both draft and final reports. A simple task-cost breakdown and schedule must be included to illustrate the Respondent s project plan. The Respondent s cost estimate should clearly show the number of days or hours estimated to perform the services as well as the daily or hourly rate of team members proposed for the project. A single electronic proposal is sufficient. Please include: One (1) Cover Letter This should be signed by an officer or equivalent with signing authority to bind the Respondent to the statements made in the proposal. One (1) Electronic Copy The file name should include an abbreviated form of the proponent s name. The electronic copy should be submitted via (in PDF and/or MS Word formats) to rdmytriw@oera.ca in one or more transmissions under 5MB in size. If this is not possible, it may be provided on a memory stick. A paper copy is not required but can be submitted if desired. Proposals must be received prior to the time of closing. Any submissions received after the deadline date/time will not be considered. Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

5 5 Timeline: Factor Proponent describes an achievable timeline with well-defined milestones and demonstrates the ability to complete the work on or before the desired completion date. Experience and Knowledge: Qualifications and capabilities of the company and project delivery team; demonstration of knowledge and experience relevant to this study. Weight Max: 10 Max: 25 Project Plan, Approach and Methodology: Proponent demonstrates an understanding of the project service requirements and has outlined a clear and effective workplan. Proposal describes the methodology, milestones and deliverables that will be used, and a sound approach in undertaking this project. Communication format and frequency between the Respondent, FORCE and OERA are clearly described. Max: 40 Proposal Presentation Includes all RFP requirements, demonstrates attention to clarity, grammar, presentation, comprehensibility, etc. Max: 10 Cost: The project will offer very good value for the proposed budget. The budget is complete and well described. Max: 15 Total 100 The following schedule is provided for guidance. a) RFP release date: Friday, February 24, 2017 b) Proposal submission date: Monday, March 13; 4 pm (Atlantic) c) Consultant selection: Friday, March 17, 2017 Please send any questions to Russell Dmytriw at OERA (rdmytriw@oera.ca). OERA reserves the right share questions and responses with other Respondents.