10 Krey Boulevard Rensselaer, NY 12144 Request for Proposal NYISO SGIG DBA RFP #: 12-7 NYISO DOE Smart Grid Investment Grant - Database Administrator Issued: February 2, 2012 I. INTRODUCTION A. Overview The New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (NYISO) is soliciting responses to this Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Database Administrator to assume responsibilities for activities related to the NYISO s Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) project (Project). The Project is funded, in part, under a United States Department of Energy (DOE) grant awarded in conjunction with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). By submitting a proposal in response to this RFP, the bidder affirms that it is ready, willing and at all times able, and that it shall comply with all ARRA requirements. The NYISO is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this solicitation. Under no circumstances shall the NYISO be liable for, or reimburse, the costs incurred by bidders from participating in activities related to this RFP. The NYISO reserves the right to amend, withdraw, or cancel this RFP or to reject any and all bids or offers at any time if it is in the NYISO s best interest to take such action. This is an open RFP. All vendors that have suitable qualifications to perform, and are interested in performing, the work described herein are encouraged to respond. Small businesses, minority-owned and women-owned firms are encouraged to respond to this RFP, and larger firms are encouraged to associate with small businesses, minority-owned, and women-owned firms. B. Company Background The NYISO (www.nyiso.com) is a New York not-for-profit corporation and IRS Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in 1999 to facilitate the restructuring of New York State s electric industry. Based in New York s Capital Region, the NYISO administers the State s wholesale energy, ancillary services, and capacity markets; operates the NYCA bulk electric system; and plans for the future electricity needs of the state. Additional information about the Project is available at http://www.nyiso.com/public/energy_future/issues_trends/smart_grid/index.jsp
C. Key Activities and Dates The table below lists dates that are important in this RFP process. The NYISO reserves the right to change any of the dates listed. Event Date Release/ posting of Non-proprietary Version of RFP 2/1/2012 RFP Response Due Date 2/8/2012 II. SCOPE OF WORK The Database Administrator (DBA) will be responsible for installation, build, configure, troubleshoot, monitor and maintenance duties in a SQL Server 2008 Clustered (HA/DR) 24 x 7 environment. The Candidate should be a SQL Server DBA with extensive clustering experience. The Database Administrator will work collaboratively with NYISO staff, consultants and vendors to ensure that Project goals are met per the Statement of Work within the Project Timeline. The respondent is expected to begin work immediately upon execution of a contract with the NYISO. The Database Administrator will be responsible for the following, at a minimum: - Manage, build, and maintain all production and non-production Microsoft SQL Server databases. - Create, implement, maintain, and improve standards and designs of physical storage, maintenance, access, and security administration. - Perform backup and recovery on Microsoft SQL Database Management Systems, configure database parameters, and prototype designs against logical data models, and define data repository requirements, data dictionaries, and warehousing requirements. - Optimize database access and allocate/re-allocate database resources for the most favorable configuration, database performance and cost. - Install, support, maintain, and configure Microsoft SQL Server on NYISO s supported platforms. Analyze business procedures and problems to refine data for database management. Analysts typically specialize in one or more types of database management systems, although individual DBAs have responsibility for all products. Address performance issues as identified including off hours when on call. Perform capacity management studies. Improve DBA processes and standards. - Identify and resolve production and/or applications development problems related to the use of the database management system software or utilities. - Review project requests and attend specification meetings describing database needs including Architectural Design Specifications, Functional Requirement Specifications, and Software Development Specifications. Respond to operational problems in timely fashion per Operating Level Agreements. - Study existing data handling systems to evaluate effectiveness and develop new processes to improve production or workflow as required. - Estimate time and cost required to accomplish project in terms of DBA work. 2
- Attend specification meetings with project team to determine scope and limitations of project. Review workflow chart developed by Programmer Analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records. - Review procedures in database management system manuals for making changes to database, such as defining, creating, revising, and controlling database. - Plan and prepare technical reports, memoranda, and instructional manuals relative to the establishment and functioning of complete operational systems. - Providing cross-training and information transfer at the conclusion of the contract. Preferred candidates should possess the following education/experience: - Bachelor's Degree (BS), Computer Science or Information Systems. - Minimum 5 years experience as a database administrator, with expert experience in current Microsoft SQL Server RDBMS technologies (2008, 2008R2). (MCDBA preferred) - Expert in SQL Server database administrator functions, including performance tuning, DB backup and recovery, replication/dr (Mirroring). - Proficient in knowledge designing, building, and maintaining clustered (MCS) SQL Server environments. - Working experience with Microsoft SQL Server RDBMS technologies. - Will consider equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. The selected vendor will report to the NYISO s Supervisor, Smart Grid Technologies. The vendor will also work closely with the NYISO s Supervisor, Database and Storage Services. III. EXPECTED CONTRACT LIFE Expected term of work: 6 months. Estimated total hours: 960. IV. PROPOSALS REQUIREMENTS The proposal, including a quote and resume(s) of the potential resource(s), is due to nyisoprocurement@nyiso.com by 2:00 PM ET, on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The proposal must contain an hourly billing rate. Should the NYISO elect to enter into a contract with a respondent, the respondent understands and agrees, by virtue of responding to this RFP, to enter into a time and materials contract with an amount not to exceed the proposed total cost of services. The proposal shall address each of the skills identified within the Scope of Work section of this RFP. The proposal should include at least two (2) work references, to attest to the skills required for the position. Respondents must accept the DOE contractual flow-down provisions (attached as Exhibit 1) that are required by Federal regulations and/or as otherwise applicable. The successful respondent will be required to consent to a background check and drug testing. A certification that the bidder and each of the proposed subcontractors, if any, have not been debarred, suspended or are otherwise ineligible for participation in federal assistance programs or activities; and 3
A completed small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and Women s Business Enterprises checklist (attached as Appendix A). V. CONTACT INFORMATION All correspondence, including general questions regarding this RFP, shall be e-mailed to Mr. Barry Shannon, IT Vendor Relations, NYISO Procurement. Questions shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to nyisoprocurement@nyiso.com. All submissions and inquiries shall provide reference to this specific RFP as follows: NYISO SGIG DBA RFP #12-7. Bidders are encouraged to send written questions, by e-mail, to this RFP, to which the NYISO will respond on a rolling basis. The NYISO may combine similar inquiries into one question. 4
Appendix A Small Businesses, Minority-Owned Firms, and Women s Business Enterprises In its effort to use small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women s business enterprises (SMWBEs), the NYISO encourages these organizations to respond to this RFP and for bidders that do not qualify as one of these organization-types to contact and consider subcontracting with small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women s business enterprises. The NYISO requires that good faith efforts be taken to consider the use of these organizations. Please initial each of the following statements that represent the efforts your organization has taken to demonstrate its good faith efforts: I/We have delivered appropriate written notice to three available certified SMWBEs for each potential subcontracting or supply category in the Contract and all potential subcontractors or vendors which requested information on the Contract; I/We have made efforts to include SMWBEs in the procurement process and to ensure that businesses are not discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, or gender; I/We have provided all potential subcontractors or vendors with adequate information as to the plans and specifications of this project, information necessary to provide a bid or quote, relevant terms and conditions of any resultant contract, and the last date and timefor receipt of price quotations. I/We have actively solicited, through sending letters or initiating personal contact, SMWBEs in all feasible and appropriate categories providing subcontracting opportunities for the contract under consideration. I/We have utilized the services of available community organizations and associations, contractors groups, and trade associations known to publicize contracting and procurement opportunities. 5
Exhibit 1 VI. FLOW DOWN OF RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO CLIENT 1. BY SIGNING THIS STATEMENT OF WORK, CONSULTANT MAKES THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS, WHICH CERTIFICATIONS SHALL BE TREATED AS A MATERIAL REPRESENTATION OF FACT UPON WHICH RELIANCE WILL BE PLACED WHEN CLIENT ENTERS INTO THIS [STATEMENT OF WORK/AGREEMENT]: (a) the certifications set forth in Appendix A, with each such certification made by Client as an SGIG Grant applicant and recipient flowing down so as to be made by Consultant, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described; and (b) any other certification that Client is required under law or any applicable regulations, ordinances, executive orders, or other rules, terms, and conditions to flow down so as to be made by Consultant, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described. 2. CONSULTANT SHALL COMPLY WITH: (a) all applicable obligations set forth in Appendix B, with each such obligation imposed on Client as an SGIG Grant applicant and recipient flowing down so as to be applicable to Consultant, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described; (b) all applicable obligations set forth in Appendix C, with each such obligation imposed on Client as an SGIG Grant applicant and recipient flowing down so as to be applicable to Consultant, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described; and (c) any other applicable obligations that Client is required under law or any applicable regulations, ordinances, executive orders, or other rules, terms, and conditions to flow down or otherwise include so as to be applicable to Consultant, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described. 3. CONSULTANT SHALL REQUIRE FROM EACH OF ITS SUBCONTRACTORS IN ANY SUBCONTRACT INTO WHICH CONSULTANT ENTERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROJECT: (a) the certifications set forth in Appendix B, with each such certification made by Client as an applicant and recipient flowing down so as to be made by each Consultant subcontractor, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described; (b) Any other certifications that are required under law or any applicable regulations, ordinances, executive orders, or other rules, terms, and conditions to 6
be flowed down so as to be made by such Consultant subcontractor, with such provisions deemed to be modified as necessary to fit the purpose described; and (c) shall require such certifications be included in any lower tier subcontract related to the Project. 4. CONSULTANT SHALL ALSO INCLUDE IN ANY SUBCONTRACT INTO WHICH IT ENTERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROJECT ANY APPLICABLE OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED OF CONSULTANT HEREUNDER OR ANY LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE REGULATION, ORDINANCES, EXECUTIVE ORDERS, OR OTHER RULES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE FLOWED DOWN, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE REFERENCED IN SECTION 2, ABOVE, SO AS TO BE APPLICABLE TO THE CONSULTANT SUBCONTRACTOR, AND CONSULTANT SHALL REQUIRE SUCH OBLIGATIONS BE INCLUDED IN ANY LOWER TIER SUBCONTRACT RELATED TO THE PROJECT. 5. CONSULTANT CERTIFIES THAT ANY SUBCONTRACT INTO WHICH IT MAY ENTER IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROJECT SHALL PROVIDE ALL OF THE CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED IN SECTION 3 OF THIS [STATEMENT OF WORK/AGREEMENT] AND INCLUDE ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 4 OF THIS [STATEMENT OF WORK/AGREEMENT]. 7
Appendix A Certifications Required in Appendix 9 of Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000058 8
Appendix B Summary of ARRA Requirements Included in Pages 45-53 of Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000058
Appendix C 10 C.F.R. Part 600, Appendix A to Subpart B