DH10--IBM Mainframe as a Service - RFI ONLY **LOOP BACK TO INDUSTRY - NO RESPONSES NEEDED

The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a Request for Information (RFI) under solicitation number 36C10B26Q0104 to explore the feasibility of a Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS) solution for its IBM Z16 mainframe environment. The RFI, originally issued in December 2025 and amended multiple times with the final amendment extending the response deadline to January 16, 2026, sought industry input on the capability to provide end-to-end management of mainframe infrastructure, including hardware, software, and labor support under a 24/7/365 operational model. The VA detailed its current environment, which includes two IBM Z16 mainframes and software licenses from 22 OEMs such as BMC, Broadcom, and IBM, covering areas like security administration, job management, storage systems, diagnostics, and development tools. Respondents were required to demonstrate deep expertise in IBM mainframe technologies including z/OS, CICS, DB2, RACF, TopSecret, JCL, REXX, and Mainview, and to provide evidence of past performance supporting similar environments with a strict 99.9% uptime requirement. The response package was limited to 15 pages and needed to include company size and socioeconomic status, SAM UEI and CAGE codes, cost estimates, and a detailed technical approach aligned with the VA Technology Reference Model and federal cybersecurity standards. The RFI was strictly for market research and did not constitute a solicitation or an intent to award a contract. Despite extensive industry engagement and multiple rounds of questions and answers provided by the government, the VA ultimately determined not to pursue an MFaaS solution at this time. The agency emphasized that all responses received would inform future procurement planning but no contract award would result from this effort. The procurement was categorized under NAICS code 518210 for computing infrastructure providers, with encouragement for small businesses to respond, though no set-aside designation was applied. Requirements emphasized U.S.-based performance, domestic call center support, and strict adherence to the VA’s change control processes and Authority to Operate protocols, with all documentation produced during performance becoming VA property. Though the RFI outlined a potential five-year period of performance including a base year and four one-year options, and referenced deliverables such as monthly uptime reports, ATO renewals, and integration with ServiceNow, no contract value, pricing structure, or formal evaluation factors were established because no award was intended