The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) invites firms to submit a Proposal for the following: The supply of multiple network analyst resources on an "as-needed" basis, for staff augmentation within the WCB's IT Infrastructure, primarily to perform the duties of Senior Infrastructure Solutions Architect, Infrastructure Solutions Architect, Infrastructure Solutions Engineer, and Infrastructure Solutions Consultant, over an initial thirty-six (36) month term with an irrevocable option to extend for two (2) additional periods of up to twelve (12) months each.
The Contractor will provide the network analyst resources on an "as-needed" basis, for staff augmentation within the WCB's IT Infrastructure, primarily to perform the four (4) roles described below:
- Senior Infrastructure Solutions Architect: Designs and implements complex IT solutions to meet business needs. The resource will work closely with stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into technical specifications, ensuring alignment with business standards. Additionally, the resource will provide technical leadership and support to development teams throughout the project lifecycle.
- Infrastructure Solutions Architect: Creates the overall technical vision for a specific solution to a business problem. The resource will design, describe, and manage the solution, ensuring it aligns with business goals and technical requirements. Additionally, the resource will act as a bridge between business needs and technology, guiding the development process and making strategic technical decisions.
- Infrastructure Solutions Engineer: Collaborates with clients to understand their technical needs and designs tailored solutions to address those requirements. Delivers technical work product under a specific direction of a well-defined plan or architecture. The resource will develop and implement these solutions, ensuring they are scalable and reliable. Additionally, the resource will provide technical support and demonstrations to showcase the effectiveness of their solutions.
- Infrastructure Solutions Consultant: Delivers technical work products according to established technical plans. The resource will operate as a key member of a team, ensuring that solutions are effectively implemented and aligned with business objectives. Additionally, the resource will collaborate with stakeholders to meet project goals and provide technical expertise throughout the process.
The Contractor's assigned resources will all be expected to be capable of performing the following duties:
a) System administration activities necessary to support and maintain availability, performance and security of the network infrastructure, wireless technologies, firewalls, including Windows operating systems and associated products;
b) Problem resolution activities that includes analyzing scope of problem, trouble shooting, and resolving incidents according to defined IT policies and procedures;
c) Participate on project teams and provide technical assistance and advice to internal staff;
d) Implementation services of proposed target state technology in the network infrastructure, firewalls and wireless technologies. Implementation services may include but not limited to:
(i) Performing a set of activities to assist the WCB IT Infrastructure Team in the development of technical design;
(ii) Performing a set of activities associated with transforming the design documents into a working technical environment;
(iii) Performing implementation, configuration, testing, and migration activities associated with the implementation of target state technologies; and
(iv) Define standard operating procedures, technical and administration policies, standards, and procedures; and
e) Such other related duties, as reasonably requested by the WCB.
The Contractor's assigned resources are expected to each have experience and knowledge with the following:
a) Understanding of a variety of technologies such as storage area networks, networking security including firewalls, proxy, WiFi and virtual computing environments;
b) Previous advanced level experience in the support and maintenance of Cisco network infrastructure including WiFi, networking topologies, protocols and various communication stacks, including experience with the following:
(i) Windows operating systems;
(ii) Virtualization software Vmware;
(iii) Veeam Software;
(iv) CheckPoint Firewalls; and
(v) Trend Micro Detection and Response;
c) Strong technical knowledge, analytical, and problem solving skills;
d) Ability to work effectively in a team environment and adapt to sudden change in direction or priority;
e) Good time management skills and ability to handle multiple priorities;
f) Effective written and oral communication skills;
g) Ability to perform the Services according to WCB incident and change management process and procedures; and
h) Ability to travel to various WCB IT sites during and outside of Business Hours.
The individual roles will require the Contractor's assigned resources to have the following years' of practical experience in the design, administration, and support of network infrastructure including data centre switching and edge routing:
- Senior Infrastructure Solutions Architect: Minimum experience - twelve (12) years
- Infrastructure Solutions Architect: Minimum experience - eight (8) years
- Infrastructure Solutions Engineer: Minimum experience - seven (7) years
- Infrastructure Solutions Consultant: Minimum experience - five (5) years
The Services shall normally be performed during Business Hours. However, the WCB may request some of the Services to be performed outside Business Hours from time to time, as deemed necessary, in the unfettered discretion of the WCB. The Contractor shall not be entitled to charge overtime rates unless specified in the Fee Schedule.
The WCB anticipates the Services will normally be performed remotely, unless the WCB expressly request the assigned resource attend onsite at a WCB IT site (all WCB IT sites are located in Winnipeg, Manitoba). If the WCB requests the assigned resource to attend onsite at a WCB IT site, the Contractor shall not be entitled to reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses other than those incurred for travel/lodging/meals, as necessary to provide onsite work in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which shall be invoiced at cost.
The Contractor will not be required to have and maintain workers compensation coverage for its workers who will be providing the Services, unless required pursuant to The Workers Compensation Act.
Final selection and assignment of each proposed resource may be subject to an in-person, telephone, or video conference interview by the WCB.
It is expected the Services will be required during an initial period of thirty-six (36) months with a preferred start date of January 14, 2025. The WCB shall have an irrevocable option to further extend the Services on the same terms and conditions and fees for two (2) additional periods of up to twelve (12) months each.
The Services will be structured with an Agreement that will require the parties to enter into subsequent Statements of Work (collectively the "SOWs") each time a new resource is assigned to perform any of the roles.
The Services shall be requested by the WCB on an "as needed" basis and the WCB makes no representation to guarantee any minimum amount of work will be assigned to the Contractor via the SOWs.
