MareNostrum5 AI-enabled Supercomputer upgrade

The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) is seeking tenders for upgrading the MareNostrum5 supercomputer with artificial intelligence capabilities. This is a procurement opportunity, indicated by tender reference EUROHPC/2025/OP/0006, with an estimated contract value of €128,792,280. The upgrade aims to enhance the system for AI development and will incorporate advanced GPU capabilities, accelerated hardware, high-speed interconnects, large data storage, and energy-efficient cooling systems.

The project focuses on integrating cutting-edge computational resources tailored for AI applications, targeting sectors such as healthcare, climate science, and autonomous systems. The tender explicitly invites European entities, likely favoring large enterprises or specialized technology providers with expertise in high-performance computing and AI infrastructure.

The submission method for the tender is electronic, requiring submission via the EU’s Funding and Tenders Portal. The deadline for tenders is September 8, 2025, with a public opening on September 9, 2025. The evaluation process will consider quality (70%) and price (30%) in the award criteria. While the opportunity does not mandate consortium participation, both individual applicants and consortia may apply, provided they have a Personal Identification Code (PIC).

The procurement is categorized under CPV code 30211100, relating to supercomputer supplies. The tender documentation includes administrative and technical specifications, financial forms, and a draft contract, supporting detail on submissions and requirements. The overall goal is to transform MareNostrum5 into a premier AI research platform for the benefit of European innovators and researchers.

The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has published a call for tenders, EUROHPC/2025/OP/0006, for the acquisition, delivery, and installation of an AI Upgrade of the MareNostrum5 supercomputer. The TED reference for this tender is 143/2025 495332-2025.

The MareNostrum5 AI upgrade aims to position the system as a specialized platform for AI development. The upgraded system will integrate cutting-edge computational resources tailored for AI applications, including improved GPU capabilities optimized for large-scale machine learning workloads, accelerated hardware for deep learning algorithms, natural language processing, and complex simulations. It will also feature high-speed interconnects, vast data storage, and advanced energy-efficient cooling systems. The strategic location within BSC-CNS will provide access to European AI innovators.

This is an open procedure with an estimated total value of 128,792,280 EUR. The nature of the contract is for supplies, with a maximum contract duration of 69 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. No framework agreement is mentioned.

The TED publication date is 29/07/2025. The date and time of the public opening is 09/09/2025 at 15:30 Europe/Luxembourg time. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 08/09/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Luxembourg time. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 29/08/2025 05:00 Europe/Luxembourg time.

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

The main classification (CPV) code is 30211100 - Super computer.

The available documents for this tender are:

ENMN5 AI Upgrade-Administrative Specifications-Part 1: Tender specifications - administrative part, published on 29/07/2025, Version 1. No translations are available.
ENMN5 AI Upgrade-Technical Specifications Part 2: Technical specifications, published on 29/07/2025, Version 1. No translations are available.
ENResponse Template: Technical specifications, published on 29/07/2025, Version 1. No translations are available.
ENAnnex6 Financial Response: Financial offer form, published on 29/07/2025, Version 1. No translations are available.
ENDraft Contract: Acquisition, delivery, installation of the AI Upgrade of MN5, published on 29/07/2025, Version 1. No translations are available.
ENEN-Invitation to tender EUROHPC2025OP0006 MareNostrum5 AI upgrade: Invitation to tender (request for offer), published on 29/07/2025, Version 1. No translations are available.

A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate in this call for tenders.

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This tender is about upgrading the MareNostrum5 supercomputer with AI capabilities. The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) is looking for a company or consortium to provide the hardware and services needed to transform MareNostrum5 into a cutting-edge platform for artificial intelligence research and development. This upgrade involves integrating advanced GPUs, high-speed interconnects, large data storage, and efficient cooling systems. The goal is to create a powerful resource that European researchers and industries can use to make breakthroughs in fields like healthcare, climate science, and autonomous systems. The tender documents provide detailed technical specifications, administrative requirements, and the draft contract, outlining the scope of work and the terms of the agreement. Companies interested in participating need to submit their tenders electronically by the specified deadline, following the guidelines provided in the tender documents. A key requirement is having a Participant Identification Code (PIC) for registration and submission purposes.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity details do not explicitly list eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the tender for a supercomputer upgrade, it is likely that eligible applicants include large enterprises, research institutes, and possibly public-private partnerships with expertise in high-performance computing and AI technologies. The mention of "European AI innovators" suggests a focus on European entities, but this does not exclude international organizations that can contribute to the project.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is procurement, as indicated by the phrase "Invitation to tender (request for offer)" and the "Nature of the contract" being "supplies." This suggests a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity details do not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. The FAQ section mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate in a call for tenders as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). This suggests that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity is targeted towards "European AI innovators," and the lead contracting authority is the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EUROHPC JU). This strongly suggests that the geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU member states and potentially EEA countries. However, the specific eligibility criteria would be detailed in the tender documents.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is ICT, specifically focusing on high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sub-sectors include: software services, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced machines/processes. The upgrade aims to enhance capabilities in areas like machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and complex simulations. The applications of the upgraded supercomputer also target sectors such as healthcare, climate science, autonomous systems, and the public sector.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on "European AI innovators," implying the EU and potentially the EEA. Luxembourg is mentioned in relation to the time zone for the public opening and deadline.

Project Stage: The project is at the implementation stage, specifically focused on upgrading an existing supercomputer (MareNostrum5). This suggests a development and deployment phase rather than basic research or early-stage innovation.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 128,792,280 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders, with electronic submission being the required method.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for the acquisition, delivery, and installation of the AI Upgrade of MN5.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but the process involves submitting a tender in response to the invitation. The tender will be evaluated based on the best price-quality ratio. The specific stages would be detailed in the tender documents.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly stated.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for tenders (procurement) by the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EUROHPC JU) for the AI upgrade of the MareNostrum5 supercomputer. The upgrade aims to position MareNostrum5 as a specialized platform for AI development, integrating advanced computational resources such as improved GPU capabilities, high-speed interconnects, vast data storage, and energy-efficient cooling systems. The upgraded system will support large-scale machine learning workloads, deep learning algorithms, natural language processing, and complex simulations. The tender is open to entities, potentially including large enterprises, research institutes, and public-private partnerships, primarily from the EU and EEA, with expertise in high-performance computing and AI technologies. The estimated total value of the contract is 128,792,280 EUR. The submission method is electronic, and the deadline for receipt of tenders is September 8, 2025. The contract duration is 69 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. The upgrade is intended to enable breakthroughs in various domains such as healthcare, climate science, autonomous systems, and the public sector by providing European AI innovators with access to a powerful supercomputing resource.