One of the great technological contracts of this year 2023 It is organized as a framework agreement of three lots and an initial duration of two years. Technological giants and large consultancies will fight to become the main contractors of the entity led by Pablo Hernández de Cos. “The growing digitization of society and the continuous technological advances drive the need for innovation in the institution,” he explains.
The bidding process started last March. Candidates may submit their offers before April 18, as reflected in the bidding document and the specifications consulted by La Información. As has happened in other relevant contracts such as the work related to the scrutiny of the next election cycle, the framework agreement format has been chosen to expedite the subsequent contracting procedures between the chosen companies. The initial duration will be two years, and may be expressly extended for periods of at least one year from the expiration date. Of course, the total duration cannot exceed four years.
The agreement is divided into three lots. The first has to do with the work necessary for the evolution, support and maintenance of initiatives and business solutions of the banking supervisor. They range from ‘traditional’ systems related to public and private debt management and market operations treasury to software used to support operational business processes.
The second of the lots refers to the maintenance, implementation and evolution of all the technological infrastructures. In this field it refers to data storage platforms, servers in public and private clouds (Microsoft, IBM…), corporate mail or security. And the third has to do with support for innovation initiatives, technological strategy and change in the operating model in the technological area. Much more innovative technologies are contemplated here, ranging from artificial intelligence, quantum computing or what is known as distributed ledger technology, something similar to ‘blockchain’.
Companies may present one or more of these packages. The most expensive lot is the first that has an estimated value of more than 152 million euros. The second and third add up to almost 70 million. In total, the ceiling that the Bank of Spain has set for these contracts is 221 million euros. But as clarified in the official documents of the tender, it is not a commitment to reach that amount and the money to be disbursed thought of the different contracts that are signed within the framework of this agreement.
It must be remembered that this legal formula of the framework agreement allows a handful of companies to be recruited from which, later, specific offers will be requested for specific contracts, reducing time and providing more flexibility. Among the possible candidates are large technology companies, consulting firms specializing in digitization and software development, and also other companies such as Indra and telecommunications operators such as Telefónica itself.
The Bank of Spain warns that the “growing digitization” of society and technological advances make greater innovation necessary in the institution
The Bank of Spain points out in its resolution that it faces “innumerable challenges” derived from a “highly changing” economic, social and technological environment. “The growing digitization of society and the continuous technological advances drive the need for innovation in the institution,” he explains. Among the objectives that are set is the modernization to be “more flexible, efficient and innovative, the determined impulse to its digitization, the continuous improvement of cybersecurity and the evolution towards a more data-oriented organization”.
Apart from this great tender, the Bank of Spain has other relevant ones related to cybersecurity open. Specifically, there are four that add up to close to one million euros and range from digital surveillance services on security threats to the implementation of a comprehensive scorecard for computer security risks. Public companies such as Correos also have a procedure open to recruit specialized companies to develop information technology infrastructures that range from software for day-to-day management to cloud computing services.
