Request for Proposal (RFP) – Cloud Hosting Services for Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Platform

1. Introduction:

Irembo Ltd is a technology company in the gov-tech and fin-tech spaces that designs and develops digital products focused on users in Africa, starting with Rwanda.

At Irembo, we recognize the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and have decided to implement a SIEM solution to enhance our security posture. To achieve this, we require a reputable cloud hosting provider with expertise in hosting SIEM systems or similar solutions. We invite you to submit a proposal for cloud hosting services for our Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system. We are seeking a reliable and secure cloud hosting solution to ensure the continuous operation and optimal performance of our SIEM platform.

2. Scope of Work:

The selected service provider shall provide a Cloud Hosting Service for the Irembo SIEM platform capable of:

• Providing required computing capacities. The service provider shall provide available plans for the client to choose a more suitable plan with at least the following information:
  • CPU
  • RAM
  • Storage
  • Bandwidth
  • Number of VMs
  • Backup plan
  • Retention plan
• Easy/Flexible service upgrade process from a chosen plan to another one during operation.
• Self-service capabilities (the ability for the client to perform some provisioning tasks without depending on the provider i.e VMs creation…)

The service provider will also be responsible for:

• Provisioning and managing cloud infrastructure for hosting the SIEM platform.
• Ensuring high availability, scalability, and performance of the hosted environment.
• Implementing necessary security measures to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Monitoring and maintaining the infrastructure to minimise downtime and address any issues promptly.
• Providing technical support and assistance as needed.

3. Technical Requirements:

The proposed Cloud Hosting should meet the following technical requirements:

• Secure and compliant cloud infrastructure (e.g., ISO 27001, ISO 27701).
• High availability with redundant components to minimize downtime.
• Scalability to accommodate future growth and increased data volumes.
• Integration capabilities with third-party security tools and systems.
• Robust backup and disaster recovery mechanisms.
• Compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
• Ensuring that the hosting infrastructure is located in Rwanda.
• Performance optimization for efficient processing of security events and logs.
• Flexible pricing models to align with the evolving requirements.

4. Proposal Submission:

All qualified and interested bidders should submit their proposals electronically through Irembo’s e-procurement portal no later than 08/05/2024 at 5pm. Bidders will be required to sign up or register if they don’t have an account already.

After registration, your profile will undergo a review by our team. You will only be allowed access after your account has been approved.

Upon successful login, navigate to “Tenders” and locate Tender Number 1100002. More guidelines can be found on the signup page.

Proposals should include the following:

• Company profile
• Certificate of company incorporation
• Relevant experience in hosting SIEM systems or similar systems with some integrations.
• Technical specifications of the proposed cloud hosting solution.
• Security and compliance certifications.
• Service level agreements (SLAs) including uptime guarantees and support terms.
• Pricing structure, including any recurring fees and additional costs.
• References of similar services hosted.
• Any additional information or value-added services offered.

5. Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals shall be evaluated based on quality (technical proposal), whereas the minimum qualification score for the technical proposal is 70%. The tender shall be awarded to the least cost bid among the technically qualified.

 To be technically qualified, technical proposals should meet the following criteria:

• Experience and expertise in hosting similar systems (or systems of the same scale).[25pt]
• Security measures and compliance certifications.[25pts]
• Reliability, scalability, and performance of the proposed solution.[20pts]
• Quality of support services and SLAs. [15pts]
• Flexibility of pricing [10pts]
• Overall fit with Irembo’s requirements and objectives.[5pts]

6. Contract Award:

The contract will be awarded to the bidder whose final score is the highest, both technical and financial proposals combined as indicated by the formula above.

The proposal that best meets the needs of our organisation both technically and financially would be awarded the tender. We reserve the right to negotiate terms and conditions with the selected service provider before contracting.

7. Contact Information:

For questions or clarifications regarding this RFP, please contact us at procurement@irembo.com