Renewal of the European Parliament's OVIDE electronic data host
The European Parliament has published a request for applications from companies with the necessary know-how and experience to renew the OVIDE electronic data transmission service host. OVIDE (Videotex system for Members of Parliament) is an electronic information and communication service for the use of MEPs, officials of the Community institutions, journalists and members of the general public within the European Community. The OVIDE host operates seven days a week on a round-the-clock basis and is accessible from anywhere in the European Community. To maintain the service provided to users and take advantage of technological developments, the European Parliament intends to renew the equipment, software, operational and contractual environment of the OVIDE host while retaining the major existing strategic options (single contract manager vis-a-vis the European Parliament, turnkey system, outside service operation with security and confidentiality guarantees). Renewal is to be understood to mean the activity guaranteeing to the European Parliament that the new system adopted will at least be similar to the existing one in terms of functionality, user-friendliness, performance and availability while being designed, developed, set up and operated on a state-of-the-art basis in the areas concerned and, in particular, electronic data transmission, videotex and facility management (the main characteristics of the host are described in the call). Interested companies should include in their application details of their turnover, associates, activities, and services already provided, and other information detailed in the call, together with a technical description of the basic software proposed. Following this request for applications, the invitation to tender itself should be issued in the second quarter of 1994. Application should be made in writing to: European Parliament Data Processing and Telecommunications Directorate Attn. Mr. G. Alabart (BAK 6/17) L-2929 Luxembourg