The Supply, Implementation and Support of a Cloud based Manual Meter Reading solution.

The Contracting Entity intends to procure a contract for the Supply, Implementation and support of a Cloud based manual meter reading solution for residential, SME and high usage customers. ESB Networks will be the business user of the solution.

Electricity meter reading is a key function for ESB and currently necessitates approximately 9.2million manual meter readings per year. The current MV-RS (Multi Vendor Reading System) being used for this purpose is approaching end of life.

To this end, the Contracting Entity intends to procure a contract to supply, implement and support a Cloud based manual meter reading solution. This solution will be rolled out to ESB Networks in conjunction with ESB’s SMART Meter programme.

Dublin

Indicative numbers for solution will be @ 350 meter readers & 8 back office staff for the first 2 years, 200 meter readers & 8 back office staff for next 3 years. Proposed contract high level, non-exhaustive scope to include:

Provision of manual meter reading service under the following headings:

Cloud Software Service - Provision of a Cloud based manual meter data management solution, including both the Cloud Software functionality & associated licensing requirements.

Mobile Meter Reading -To be undertaken using an agnostic mobile application & device with flexible configuration to support ESB’s meter reading requirements.

Implementation Services - Working closely with ESB Networks & ESB IT teams to design, build, integrate, implement & provide training for this solution.

Ongoing Support Services - Post implementation for the SaaS solution, including admin & end user training for the implemented solution

Note, if principal contractor is not the supplier of the product, ESB retains the right to have annual licence & maintenance contract directly with the product owner at end of contact period.

Cloud Software Service - Solution must align with industry best practice, including seamless integration capabilities to ESB’s SAP IS-Utilities system. The solution module will need to integrate with Device Management on SAP IS-U. Note Existing solution integrates to SAP IS-U via SAP PO. Your solution may integrate via SAP PO or an appropriate API.

Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record of delivering a fully integrated Cloud meter reading solution, incorporating a robust data security model compliant with relevant statutory legislation regarding data protection & security of information. Solution must handle 55,000 daily readings, with the capability to cater for up to 75,000 readings per day, from a combination of actual & estimated meter readings.

Implementation Service - Based on the scope outlined, ESB expects that prospective solution provider will have proven client experience & functional subject matter expertise in Cloud meter reading implementation capabilities, assessed under the following categories:

Delivery Approach

Integration

Delivery Approach requires to have the following capabilities:

Engage in design workshops with ESB Networks Meter Reading SME’s to convert functional requirements into appropriate configuration to achieve the optimum integrated solution; Build & configure all platform instances of the Cloud software service based on business & functional requirements; Work closely with ESB functional & IT resources; Deliver a Cloud meter reading solution that aligns with the industry best practice; Input to creation of suitable testing procedures; Provide data migration of a minimum of 11 days meter reading schedules from the existing on-prem MV-RS solution to the new Cloud meter reading solution; Implement robust security controls within the solution; Provide detailed knowledge transfer documentation & support material; Conduct relevant knowledge transfer documentation & support material implementation to internal ESB Networks & IT functional support teams; Deliver post go-live hyper care support to ensure SaaS solution transitions to internal ESB Networks & IT functional support teams; Application to be capable of running on an Android &/or iOS mobile device; Provide analytics &reporting, & route optimisation; Validate meter read data; Enable System Administrator to create & manage meter readers; Ability to: Provide actual & estimated reads, Message meter readers & Read up to 8 registers on a meter.

Integration

Preferred solution must integrate with ESB’s SAP IS-Utilities - currently ERP 6.0 EHP8 running on NetWeaver 7.5. It will predominantly integrate with Device management module; Secure data transfer methods between ESB’s IT systems & the SaaS solution must follow industry best practice.

Ongoing Support Services - Post implementation the solution must include on-going system support.

It is envisaged the term of the contract commences on the date when services commence and shall be for a period of up to 36 months with an option to extend after the initial period exercisable for a further period up to 24 Months from the expiry of the initial period.

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The Supply, Implementation and Support of a Cloud based Manual Meter Reading solution.

1) Interested parties must register their interest on the eTenders website (http://www.etenders.gov.ie/) in order to be included on the mailing list for clarifications. All information relating to attachments, including clarifications and changes, will be published on the Irish Government Procurement Opportunities Portal (http://www.etenders.gov.ie/) only. Registration is free of charge. The contracting entity will not accept responsibility for information relayed (or not relayed) via third parties

2) This is the sole call for competition for this service.

3) The contracting entity will not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by candidates or tenderers.

4) Contract award will be subject to the approval of the competent authorities.

5) It will be a condition of award that candidates are tax compliant.

6) If for any reason it is not possible to admit to the contract one or more of the tenderers invited following the conclusion of this competitive process, or having awarded a contract, the contracting entity reserves the right to invite the next highest scoring tenderer to join the contract and/or deliver the contract as appropriate to the circumstances pertaining to said contract.

7) At its absolute discretion, the contracting entity may elect to terminate this procurement process at any time.

8) Please note in relation to all documents, that where reference is made to a particular standard, make, source, process, trademark, type or patent, that this is not to be regarded as a de facto requirement. In all such cases, it should be understood that such indications are to be treated strictly and solely for reference purposes only, to which the words "or equivalent" will always be appended.

9) Without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment, the contracting entity is not obliged to engage in a clarification process in respect of questionnaires with missing or incomplete information. Therefore, candidates are advised to ensure that they return fully completed questionnaires in order to avoid the risk of elimination from the competition.

10) At Section II.2.9 we have indicated that 5 will be invited to tender, please note that the contracting entity reserves the right to invite at least 5, subject to that number qualifying.