Mainframe Peripheral and Software Maintenance

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mission of tax collection and compliance is dependent upon the continued integrity of its IBM mainframe (Tier 1) processing environment. The purpose of this Mainframe Peripheral and Software Maintenance requirement (MP&SM) is to provide: (1) on-site preventive, predictive, and on call maintenance for IBM, IBM-compatible Tier 1 peripheral devices, (2) support services, and (3) software maintenance services, software license support for Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software products as licensed for IBM mainframe computer systems. This requirement may be utilized to acquire like, similar, or related equipment for the purpose of improving system performance, satisfying increased processing workload, and generally maintaining system performance levels required by the IRS. Requirements for the purchase of equipment from the Contractor, if any, are subordinate to the primary maintenance and support services requirements acquired. Should the hardware purchase option be exercised by the IRS, specific requirements and pricing will be negotiated at the time the requirements are known. The IRS Information Technology Services (ITS) organization must approve all new equipment purchases. This requirement may be utilized to acquire software license upgrades, software license conversions, and additional new software titles. Requirements for the purchase of software from the Contractor, if any, are subordinate to the primary maintenance and support services requirements acquired. Should the IRS exercise these options, specific requirements and pricing will be negotiated at the time the requirements are known. The IRS Information Technology Services (ITS) organization must approve all new software license purchases. The Enterprise Computing Center - Martinsburg (ECC-MTB), and the Enterprise Computing Center - Memphis (ECC-MEM), are the two of the three major computing centers where IRS tax and administrative processing is performed. Utilizing IBM's z/OS and a variety of software provided by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), IRS mainframe based processing occurs on six (6) IBM z/Architecture Enterprise Servers distributed across ECC-MTB and ECC-MEM. Additionally, each of the sites host IBM mainframe based security and communications hubs supporting large, high transaction volume, terminal networks. The ECC-MEM plans, directs, and coordinates the analysis, design, development, testing, operation, and maintenance of automated data systems, master file, and non-master file data processing applications. One of the most dynamic operations at the ECC-MEM is on-line information processing of Currency Transaction Reports. Millions of Reports of currency transactions over $10K are filed with the Center each year. Included in the ECC-MEM communications link is the Centralized Inventory Distribution System (CIDS) project, an inventory distribution system that controls inventories and ordering services for distribution of tax and Government forms and publications to the IRS offices and the public. The ECC-MEM also maintains major segments of the Integrated Data Retrieval system (IDRS). This tax administration processing involves the posting and retrieval of transaction data for tens of millions of taxpayer accounts. ECC-MTB is the central point for maintaining taxpayer account information and a broad array of interrelated files and data bases. The Martinsburg WV based center also supports numerous other IRS initiatives including: modernization; Service Center Mainframe Consolidation; Information Returns Processing; Program Development Systems; and national training. The ECC-MTB supports the highly complex master file and master-file related processing. Individual Master File (IMF) and Business Master File (BMF) and Customer Account Data Engine (CADE2) processing remain at the center of all individual and business account processing and serve as the centralized corporate repository for information used in annual tax processing and in customer service, compliance, enforcement, and financial reporting activities. The IRS continually upgrades IBM Tier 1 hardware peripherals and software in support of mission requirements. As of February 2015, IRS ECC-MEM and ECC-MTB Tier 1 Mainframes affected by this Request for Information (RFI) consist of the following: - IBM Z196 2817 Model M66 located in ECC-MEM; - IBM Z196 2817 Model M32 located in ECC-MTB; - IBM Z196 2817 Model M32 located in ECC-MTB; - IBM z114 2818 Model M10 located in ECC-MTB; - IBM z114 2818 Model M10 located in ECC-MTB; - IBM z114 2818 Model M10 located in ECC-MTB. This requirement is for hardware maintenance of IRS IBM Tier 1 peripheral equipment, IT replacement parts, support services, relocation support, and hardware purchase, software maintenance and license support, software license upgrade support, software license conversion support, and additional software purchase. The scope of this contract will encompass the following: (a) Ensuring that all equipment covered under this contract maintains the highest level of operational support possible; (b) Ensuring uninterrupted maintenance support for all equipment covered under this requirement; (c) Ensuring that all modifications, repairs, and testing of IRS equipment is completed with minimal possible operational disruptions and delays; (d) Support services; (e) Ensuring that any relocation/movement of equipment (including de- installation, packing, shipping, re-installation, and testing of equipment) specified in separately issued Delivery Orders (D.O.s), is completed with minimal operational disruptions and delays; (f) ITS pre-approved hardware purchases as specified in separately issued D.O.s Orders. (g) Provision of software maintenance and license support for all software titles and any additional software titles acquired by the IRS; (h) Optional software license upgrades for all software titles and any additional software titles acquired by the IRS via additional D.O.s; (i) Optional software license conversions for all software titles and any additional software titles acquired by the IRS via D.O.s; and (j) ITS pre-approved software purchases as specified in separately issued D.O.s THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are the sole responsibility of the responding party. All information received by the Government in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. The Government will not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. All businesses are encouraged to submit a response to this RFI in order to assist the IRS in determining the levels of competition available in the marketplace. The acquisition strategy for this requirement will be determined based on the responses received to this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered "offers" and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. When the solicitations are released, they will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the aforementioned website for additional information pertaining to any resulting solicitation. SUBMISSION OF CAPABILITY STATEMENTS/AREAS OF INTEREST/INDUSTRY COMMENTS: The capability statements are not to exceed 20 pages and may be submitted via e-mail no later than 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, February 23, 2015 to laura.e.edmondson@irs.gov. The Capability Statements shall include the vendor's point(s) of contact name, address, telephone number, and email address; the company's business size, including applicable NAICS code(s). The Capabilities Statement shall include a description of similar work performed within the past 5 years including the name and number of the contract, the contract scope, type of contract, period of performance, contract deliverables, dollar thresholds and limitations, the issuing Government agency, and the name and telephone number of the Contracting Officer. Any information received in response to this RFI may be used to determine an acquisition strategy for any resultant RFP. Therefore, any small business concern with the capability to perform the required services is encouraged to submit a response to the RFI. The release of this RFI affords industry the opportunity to comment on any perceived issues with regard to the initiative and to allow the Government to receive the benefit of industry comments. The Government's purpose in providing an opportunity for industry comment is to identify potential problem areas and provide alternative recommendations in order to enhance the success of the initiative. The Government believes industry feedback is important. The Government is receptive to any and all ideas from industry which would result in limiting unnecessarily constraining requirements, realizing cost savings, or highlighting potential technical or contractual problem areas associated with the initiative. What new capabilities within the past five years have provided the biggest return on investment (ROI), are industry standards, and describe what you see as the industry trend over the next five years. What has been your experience in performance-based delivery methods and techniques? Describe your experience with performance-based and/or incentives-based contracts. SERVICE LEVEL/PERFORMANCE METRICS. The Government is interested in Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Performance Metrics used by industry to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of hardware and software maintenance support. The Government is interested in operational metrics (those used to monitor day-to-day activities) and management metrics (those used by management to gauge key indicators of success, executive dashboard, etc.). Additionally, the Government is interested in how industry balances using leading (forecasting) and lagging (static) metrics. Since the Government is exploring the use of a performance-based contracting approach, it would be helpful to understand the service levels/performance metrics used to manage the operations, and those metrics used as a basis for payment. Questions to the Government may be included under separate cover for all submissions. Point of Contact Laura E. Edmondson, Contracting Officer Email laura.e.edmondson@irs.gov, Phone 240-613-8110