Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a service provider responsible for the off-site storage of backup tapes for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) over a period of five (5) years. The aim is to enhance data protection, ensure business continuity, support disaster recovery, and maintain compliance with information security standards.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Provision of secure storage space for approximately 100 backup tapes (LTO or latest technology), including transportation canisters.
• Relocation of existing backup tapes from NERSA’s premises to the off-site facility.
• Management of active and archived tapes, including recording tape movements and retrievals.
• Implementation of environmental controls (temperature, humidity) and security measures (CCTV, security personnel, restricted access).
• Monitoring and reporting on stored data, including measures to prevent unauthorized access or data loss.
• Support for disaster recovery or data restoration requests.
• Initial relocation of tapes and ongoing storage management throughout the contract period.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements specify that the service provider must:

• Provide secure, environmentally controlled storage facilities with CCTV surveillance, security personnel, and restricted access.
• Ensure environmental conditions such as temperature (18-20°C) and humidity (45-50%) are maintained.
• Implement tracking systems for tape movement and retrieval.
• Maintain fire extinguishers and other safety measures.
• Provide a disaster recovery plan, including measures for data restoration and tape relocation.
• Ensure the storage facility is equipped to handle adverse weather conditions and other environmental risks.
• Provide necessary stationery and documentation for record-keeping and compliance.

Skills and Experience Requirements

The bidder must demonstrate:

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in off-site storage of IT backup tapes.
• Proven track record with at least five (5) references from corporates, government departments, or State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for similar services within the past five (5) years.
• Experience in managing secure storage facilities with environmental controls and security measures.
• Knowledge of tape handling, tracking, and management systems.
• Qualified account manager with relevant experience in records management services, supported by CVs and reference letters.
• Understanding of disaster recovery planning and implementation.
• Compliance with all legislative requirements, including security clearances, B-BBEE certification, and tax compliance.