Subject: [Rfp-announce] RFP for RFC Production Center Tools Modernisation BA/PM services

From: IETF Executive Director <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2022 10:20:23 -0800

The IETF Administration LLC is soliciting bids for the 'RFC Production Center Tools Modernisation BA/PM services' RFP.  

Overview:

The RFC Production Center (RPC) is responsible for editing, processing and publishing RFCs, a role which has grown in scale and complexity over the last twenty years.  The tools used by the RPC have grown organically over that time, including common open source tools, some tools written in house and many contributed by community volunteers.  At the core there is a database application, written some years ago and adapted a number of times since, that tracks the status of the documents.  The documents themselves are stored and edited as files on a shared filesystem.  Editing is carried out using Emacs and the files processed using a wide range of command line scripts written in different languages by a variety of people using different development methodologies.  This current toolchain is at or beyond end of life, particularly with the recent move to XML as the authoritative format for RFCs, and needs a complete replacement with a new toolchain that supports the editing, processing and publishing from end to end.  

A business analyst/project manager is sought to work with the RPC (this will include occasional travel to Northern California) to enable them to make an informed decision on the nature of the new toolchain, document their requirements, assist with an RFP for a vendor to deliver a new toolchain (if required), and to manage the implementation. This project is expected to take two years and the vendor is required to manage this process until completion.  

The term BA/PM is used to indicate that both skill sets are required.  This project could be delivered by a single individual, a company with multiple staff, or a consortium of individuals.  It is expected that delivering this project will require the equivalent of a half time role for one person for two years. This RFP has a maximum budget of $300,000 in total, inclusive of all travel and expenses.  

Timeline:

7 January 2022		RFP Issued
21 January 2022		Questions and Inquiries deadline
28 January 2022		Answers to questions issued and RFP updated if required
4 February 2022		Bids due
18 February 2022	Preferred bidder selected and negotiations begin
4 March 2022		Contract execution and work begins

Full details of the RFP, including instructions on how to submit a bid and how to ask questions, can be found at https://www.ietf.org/about/administration/rfps-and-contracts/.

Please note that in order to maintain a fair and transparent RFP process, all questions or feedback regarding this RFP should be made to the email address specified in the RFP.

-- 
Jay Daley
IETF Executive Director
[email-masked]