High performance computing solution for operational numerical modeling

The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is carrying out this procurement to replace its existing systems used in operational numerical weather prediction, ocean circulation modeling, wind wave prediction and atmospheric composition modeling. The procurement is carried out as an open procedure as defined in the national legislation. The procurement will be for a turnkey HPC solution that includes all components and services that are required to build, deliver, install and operate HPC systems providing 24/7/365 services. The HPC consists of two separate systems installed in two separate computer rooms with no shared components, including but not limited to computing, interconnect, system and user software components, high performance storage, power supply, cooling and services.    The maximum value of the contract is 4,2M€ (VAT 0%). Value of the additional purchases is 1,2M€ (VAT 0%). FMI will make an official and signed confirmation of this additional order to the Supplier. The implementation of the procurement depends on funding. This procurement requires a final decision on the Finnish parliamentary budget in December 2021. The procurement will be made by CONDITIONAL subject to that positive Finnish parliamentary decision. The estimated operational service period for the HPC systems is 6 years with possible extension of one year.

The HPC solution has a critical role for FMI operations. Therefore, the emphasis is put on the experience of the vendor in delivering similar turnkey solutions and the maturity of the solution making it suitable for reliable operations. This is in contrast with many research oriented HPC procurements where emphasis is put on the novelty of the solution and peak performance. The mandatory reference requirements for a potential tenderer are as follows: - At least one system in current TOP500 list, and - minimum of three turnkey deliveries for operational weather forecasting of similar size and complexity during the last four years. One of these turnkey deliveries must be in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea. A system delivered earlier than four years ago but still in operational use is not considered a valid reference. An ongoing project can be considered a valid reference, only if the customer has already been granted access to the system and has been able to verify the functionality. Anonymous references are not accepted. Instead, contact information for each reference must be provided. FMI may control the references during the evaluation phase of the tenders. The current HPC solution consists of two Cray systems in a fully redundant configuration with no shared components in two separate computer rooms. The main workload and the computationally most demanding workload is Harmonie-Arome NWP model which is run in collaboration with MetCoOp partners Sweden and Norway, every hour for nowcasting and every hour also for ensemble prediction 24/7/365. Other important 24/7 workloads include SILAM atmospheric composition model, NEMO ocean circulation model and WAM wind wave model. It should be noted that only Harmonie-Arome is representing the operational workload in the benchmarks.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) produces observation and research data on the atmosphere, the near space and the seas, as well as weather, sea, air quality and climate services for the needs of public safety, business life and citizens. The Finnish Meteorological Institute is an administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The key customers from the perspective of this procurement include, but are not limited to, Finnish Defense Forces, civil aviation authorities and service providers, Radiation and nuclear safety authority and Finnish environmental agency. Registration for the market survey The FMI will carry out a market survey for a turnkey, operational high performance computing solution. As part of the survey a technical dialogue will take place, where the market survey participants may review and comment the benchmark package, technical specification and other procurement documents. Comments and questions may be submitted via email to kirjaamo@fmi.fi . FMI’s answers to questions will be anonymized and shared with all market survey participants. Additionally a video meeting with each market survey participant can be arranged to discuss the details of the benchmarks, technical requirements or other aspects of the procurement. This market survey is therefore not a call for tenders leading to a procurement decision. Tenderers interested in participating in the market survey are requested to provide the official name of the company and the e-mail address of the contact person on 19.5.2021 at 13 EET to kirjaamo@fmi.fi Add reference " Dnro 9/230/2021 High performance computing solution for operational numerical modeling” to all communications.