Vessel Traffic System Upgrade Contract for Dublin Port Company

Short description

The Contracting Entity proposes to engage in a competitive process for the establishment of a contract for the Provision of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) including Software, associated hardware, professional services, delivery, maintenance, and support. This procurement relates to the supply of a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system (software and any necessary supporting hardware, e.g. Radar, AIS, VHF Radio, Environmental Sensors, Device Communications, Network connectivity, Server based infrastructure). The service should include full project life cycle [Design, Build, Test, Parallel operation, Stability] also considering post-delivery support and maintenance. The aim of this project is to replace the current VTS ecosystem and supporting infrastructure where required (software and hardware), with the latest technologies providing for real time data and enterprise-wide integration. The aim is to replace the current VTS system infrastructure [Atlas VTS 9760]. At the very least the successful bidder will be required to integrate its solution to the current shipping system – PMIS – Port Control from Tidalis, to deliver the necessary functional requirements. It is anticipated this should be a standard integration. The system should also provide for remote access and mobile device capability. The new VTS solution DPC is seeking to acquire and implement includes the following high-level requirements: • Compliance with IALA standards, including S-1040, R0128 (V-128), and the G1111 series of guidelines, ensuring both operational and technical performance are aligned with global best practices. • Delivery of a robust and future-proofed VTS software ecosystem that: • Accepts, fuses, and displays data from radar, AIS, VHF, Electro-Optical (EO) sensors, and MetOcean systems. • Supports decision support tools (DST) for alarm handling, route monitoring, and incident response. • Provides record and replay functionality for traffic, sensor, and operator activity to support training and incident review. • Provision of a modern, ergonomic control room layout with at least two operator workstations and remote backup capabilities, aligned with BS EN ISO 11064 and IALA G1105/G1171 ergonomic design standards. • Deployment of an integrated sensor network delivering enhanced detection, redundancy, and target tracking across Dublin Port’s SHA and approaches. • Support for advanced AIS functionality including AIS AtoNs and message handling per G1111-4, with infrastructure coverage that ensures full vessel visibility across all navigational zones. • Provision of VHF radio systems meeting G1111-2 guidance, offering primary and backup coverage and seamless integration with operator terminals. • Compatibility with Electro-Optical and thermal imaging systems, particularly for situational awareness in berthing areas and areas of high risk. • A solution architecture that ensures resilience, minimal single points of failure, and high system availability, incorporating redundant power, communications paths, and server infrastructure. • Secure IT infrastructure design, with layered cybersecurity, compliance with GDPR and data retention policies, and robust access control mechanisms. • Open architecture to enable integration with existing and future port systems, including PMIS (Tidalis), berth monitoring tools, and third-party applications via secure APIs. • Scalable support for web-based and mobile access for authorised users, enabling situational awareness beyond the control centre in line with emerging operational demands. Delivery of post-implementation services including user training, system documentation, warranty, and long-term maintenance and support options. Must provide a solution where all VTS, radar and VHF Radio activity are recorded and stored for replay in incident management and operator training.

Description of the procurement

The Contracting Entity proposes to engage in a competitive process for the establishment of a contract for the Provision of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) including Software, associated hardware, professional services, delivery, maintenance, and support. This procurement relates to the supply of a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system (software and any necessary supporting hardware, e.g. Radar, AIS, VHF Radio, Environmental Sensors, Device Communications, Network connectivity, Server based infrastructure). The service should include full project life cycle [Design, Build, Test, Parallel operation, Stability] also considering post-delivery support and maintenance. The aim of this project is to replace the current VTS ecosystem and supporting infrastructure where required (software and hardware), with the latest technologies providing for real time data and enterprise-wide integration. The aim is to replace the current VTS system infrastructure [Atlas VTS 9760]. At the very least the successful bidder will be required to integrate its solution to the current shipping system – PMIS – Port Control from Tidalis, to deliver the necessary functional requirements. It is anticipated this should be a standard integration. The system should also provide for remote access and mobile device capability. The new VTS solution DPC is seeking to acquire and implement includes the following high-level requirements: • Compliance with IALA standards, including S-1040, R0128 (V-128), and the G1111 series of guidelines, ensuring both operational and technical performance are aligned with global best practices. • Delivery of a robust and future-proofed VTS software ecosystem that: • Accepts, fuses, and displays data from radar, AIS, VHF, Electro-Optical (EO) sensors, and MetOcean systems. • Supports decision support tools (DST) for alarm handling, route monitoring, and incident response. • Provides record and replay functionality for traffic, sensor, and operator activity to support training and incident review. • Provision of a modern, ergonomic control room layout with at least two operator workstations and remote backup capabilities, aligned with BS EN ISO 11064 and IALA G1105/G1171 ergonomic design standards. • Deployment of an integrated sensor network delivering enhanced detection, redundancy, and target tracking across Dublin Port’s SHA and approaches. • Support for advanced AIS functionality including AIS AtoNs and message handling per G1111-4, with infrastructure coverage that ensures full vessel visibility across all navigational zones. • Provision of VHF radio systems meeting G1111-2 guidance, offering primary and backup coverage and seamless integration with operator terminals. • Compatibility with Electro-Optical and thermal imaging systems, particularly for situational awareness in berthing areas and areas of high risk. • A solution architecture that ensures resilience, minimal single points of failure, and high system availability, incorporating redundant power, communications paths, and server infrastructure. • Secure IT infrastructure design, with layered cybersecurity, compliance with GDPR and data retention policies, and robust access control mechanisms. • Open architecture to enable integration with existing and future port systems, including PMIS (Tidalis), berth monitoring tools, and third-party applications via secure APIs. • Scalable support for web-based and mobile access for authorised users, enabling situational awareness beyond the control centre in line with emerging operational demands. Delivery of post-implementation services including user training, system documentation, warranty, and long-term maintenance and support options. Must provide a solution where all VTS, radar and VHF Radio activity are recorded and stored for replay in incident management and operator training.

Description of options

The construct of the contract will be for an initial period of five (5) years with 5 optional extensions, each of 24 months duration.
The maximum duration of the contract will be for 15 years subject to review, satisfactory performance, business needs and budgetary constraints.

Please consult the associated documentation, which contains full instructions regarding the submission of applications and is available to download from www.etenders.gov.ie using eTenders Resource ID – 5786010
Interested parties must associate their organisation with this competition on the eTenders web site (www.etenders.gov.ie) in order to be included on the mailing list for clarifications and to upload their application. To do this you must do the following: Log-in to the eTenders portal; Locate the competition using the Advanced Search by searching under the Contracting Entity or Resource ID. Click on the hyperlink for the competition which will bring you to the CfT Workspace. In the Show CfT Menu for the competition click on the “Expression of Interest in the drop-down menu. Complete the Association with the CfT tab. This will then provide you with a link to Tender under the Show CfT Menu where you can prepare your submission.
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(6) All information relating to attachments, including clarifications and changes, will be published on the Irish Government Procurement Opportunities Portal (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.
(7) All queries regarding this tender requirement or process must be submitted through the Irish Government Procurement Opportunities Portal www.etenders.gov.ie as a specific question. Responses will be circulated to those tenderers that have registered an interest in this notice on www.etenders.gov.ie. The details of the person making a query will not be disclosed when circulating the response
(8) The contracting entity will not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by candidates or tenderers. Contract award will be subject to the approval of the competent authorities.
(9) Without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment, the contracting entity is not obliged to engage in a clarification process in respect of the procurement documents with missing or incomplete information. Therefore, respondents are advised to ensure that they return completed documentation in order to avoid the risk of elimination from the competition.
(10) Where applicable, 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.
(11) At its absolute discretion, the contracting entity may elect to terminate this procurement process, the framework agreement or any contract awarded under the framework agreement at any time.