SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Mainframe Hardware Maintenance and Mainframe Software Maintenance Services
- Notice Date
- 12/22/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541519
— Other Computer Related Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), National Office Procurement (OS:A:P), 6009 Oxon Hill Road, Suite 500, Oxon Hill, MD, 20745
- ZIP Code
- 20745
- Solicitation Number
- TBD
- Response Due
- 1/28/2005
- Point of Contact
- Shawna Petersson, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-283-1269, Fax 202-283-1437, - Cathy Mann, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-283-1520, Fax 202-283-1437,
- E-Mail Address
-
Shawna.L.Peterson@irs.gov, Cathy.M.Mann@irs.gov
- Description
- The IRS hereby issues the following Request for Information (RFI) regarding mainframe hardware maintenance and technical support/program management services and mainframe software maintenance services. A. PURPOSE: The Internal Revenue Services’ (IRS), Modernization & Information Technology Services (MITS) is seeking industry capability statements for the contract work related to two specific areas of information technology (IT) support. The IRS is conducting market research and analysis of industry capabilities for the contracts designed to replace the current Long-Term Maintenance, Computing Centers (LTMCC), Corporate System Modernization/Mirror Image Acquisition (CSM/MIA), and to incorporate Tier 1(Mainframe) hardware and software maintenance provided under other IRS contracts. Currently some of this effort is covered by the LTMCC and CSM/MIA contracts expiring September 30, 2005. The resulting contracts will provide for performance measures with incentives and specific socioeconomic goals to include participation by small business firms. B: GENERAL: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking information regarding Mainframe Hardware Maintenance services and Mainframe Software Maintenance services. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute 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 will be solely at the responding party’s expense. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the IRS in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry. In accordance with FAR 15.2019e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. When the solicitations are released, they will be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website and the IRS procurement web page. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this RFI. General Cost estimates are requested to assist in planning, cost estimates provided will not be binding for the company. C. BACKGROUND: The IRS’ MITS Organization’s Enterprise Operations Services mission is to provide efficient, cost effective, secure and highly reliable computing (server and mainframe) services for all IRS business entities and taxpayers, and to manage the day-to-day operations of the network and contact center environments. To accomplish parts of its mission, Enterprise Operations Services deploys and maintains an infrastructure capable of supporting the business and administrative needs of the Service for both the current environment and modernized operations; standardizes, consolidates and manages the mainframe computing infrastructure, and ancillary systems/software; maintains and modifies systems software products for the IRS mainframe-computing environment; implements appropriate security and mission assurance tools, processes, procedures, and infrastructure related to corporate computing services; provides services to business units/divisions within established Service Level Agreements (SLA); provides enterprise network operational support; and performs design, deployment, and maintenance of the contact center environment. D. DESIRED INFORMATION: MITS is in the process of analyzing and reviewing its approach, practices, and procedures for performing Mainframe (Tier 1) Hardware Maintenance and Software Maintenance activities. The Government is interested in finding out about new approaches, best practices or industry standards that could better meet its needs. This RFI is intended to provide the Government with a better understanding of the methodologies, best practices, performance metrics, and service level agreements that would be available to them. The effort contemplated will cover the acquisition of all software and hardware maintenance, technical support, project management support, warranties, and technology enhancements that include upgrades of all hardware and software at appropriate intervals with the best practices in technology. The intent is to establish Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for a Mainframe Hardware Support Maintenance Contract (MHSMC) and a Mainframe Software Maintenance Contract (MSMC). The Government anticipates that resulting delivery orders issued against the IDIQ contracts will be firm fixed price; some time and materials task orders are also anticipated. The duration of the planned contracts if from FY05 to FY10. In order to determine which contracts to set-aside for various small business classifications, interested contractors are requested to submit capability statements addressing their ability to perform the project requirements for IRS’ mainframe hardware and software described below. HARDWARE DESCRIPTION/SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS 1. IRS IBM Tier 1 – 8,281 MIPS. Maintenance for all of the above equipment will consist of 24X7 remedial and preventative maintenance performed under a set performance-related requirements 2. Detroit Computing Center (DCC): Two IBM 9672-R36 mainframes installed, Operating System z/OS. Approximately 850 IBM/IBM-compatible peripherals including a large number of higher maintenance tape drives and printers. There are no mainframe processors in this equipment set. 3. Enterprise Computing Center at Martinsburg (ECC-MTB): Approximately 1425 IBM/IBM-compatible peripherals including substantial quantities of higher maintenance items including tape drives, monitors, and printers. There are no mainframe processors in this equipment set a. SACS: Two IBM ZSeries 800 mainframes on-site. Each mainframe utilizes an IBM 2105 ESS for DASD support. Additional peripherals include six IBM 3490 B40 magnetic tape sub-systems at ECC-MTB. b. MasterFile: MasterFile processing is supported by two IBM ZSeries 990 mainframes. The MasterFile mainframes utilize three IBM ESS "Shark" DASD sub-systems and one IBM Virtual Tape sub-system and various other peripherals such as ESCON Directors. c. IAP: IAP processing is supported by one IBM ZSeries 900. Each mainframe's DASD sub-system consists of one ESS Model 800. Other peripherals include two 3490 A20 magnetic tape subsystems: one each located in ECC-MTB and NCFB, and ESCON Directors. 4. Enterprise Computing Center at Memphis (ECC-MEM): a. DR/Tri-Plex: Two IBM ZSeries 900 mainframes. Each mainframe accesses multiple Enterprise Storage Servers (ESS) which provide Direct Access Storage Device (DASD) support. Each mainframe also accesses an IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Tape Library (two on-site) and various other IBM peripherals such as ESCON Directors. b. SACS: Two IBM ZSeries 800 mainframes on-site. Each mainframe utilizes an IBM 2105 ESS for DASD support. Additional peripherals include two IBM 3490 A20 magnetic tape sub-systems and six IBM 3490 B40 magnetic tape sub-systems. c. IAP: IAP processing is supported by one IBM ZSeries 900. Each mainframe's DASD sub-system consists of one ESS Model 800. Other peripherals include two 3490 A20 magnetic tape subsystems and ESCON Directors. 5. Software Maintenance Requirements: The IRS requires a contractor experienced in administering a large-scale (enterprise class) program of software license maintenance and upgrade support for a large inventory of IBM mainframe (OS/390) compatible software products - deployed across multiple computing center sites. IRS’ inventory of OS/390 compatible software products includes more than 430 individual items, licensed for use on various IBM mainframes (Enterprise Servers) located at three (3) IRS computing center facilities in Martinsburg WVA; Memphis TN; and Detroit MI. The inventory includes COTS titles from IBM and more than 30 other ISVs and third party publishers. Software License types, among others, include: Enterprise; Site; Dual-Site; MIPS; MLC-MSU; CPU; CPU-GROUP/Tier; LPAR(Sub Capacity); and FEP/Communications Machine. These software assets carry an aggregate investment value estimated at over $107M. They represent an “enterprise class” investment component of IRS’ Tier-I IT infrastructure, and are central in supporting the processing of numerous critical IRS tax administration workloads. Contractor should possess capabilities specific to the following five (5) disciplines associated with software license maintenance and license upgrade support: a) License models (salient characteristics) and Licensee rights: scope of use, migration rights, definitions, version and release rights, perpetual rights, renewable rights, transfer rights, end-of-term provisions, documentation rights, access rights, object and/or source code rights. b) Software License Support/Maintenance (full Software product life cycle): activation, codes and keys, technical support channels (electronic, telephone, on-site, hours of service), communication channels, DR testing policies, method of delivery. c) Software Asset Management Trends and Practices: Software product life-cycle costing model support, licensing trends (sub-capacity pricing, etc), product displacement trends, value investment, and pricing model trends, OS/390 specific pricing metrics and definitions. d) Software License Upgrades and Conversions: residual value credits, new or replacement products (functionality assessment), bundling and unbundling, cross platform conversion rights/costs, market research and administrative capacity, and price proposal documentation and preparation. e) ISV Practices, Policies, and Training Support: GSA schedule availability/plans, ISV discounting, Price Caps/Basis and Price protection, standard inclusions/credits, overlap period for processor or data center moves, training scope, cost and location, inspection, usage audit tools, policies and rights, suspension/reinstatement costs, and escalation procedures. E. SUBMISSION OF CAPABILITY STATEMENTS/AREAS OF INTEREST/INDUSTRY COMMENTS: The capability statements are not to exceed 20 pages and may submitted via e-mail no later than January 28, 2005 to Tiffany.M.Levy@irs.gov. Capability Statements shall also include a description of similar work performed in the past 5 years, please include the name and number of the contract, contract scope, contract type, period of performance, contract deliverables, dollar thresholds and limitations, the issuing Government agency, and the name and telephone number of the Contracting Officer. Contractors shall also provide their point(s) of contact name, address, telephone number, and email address; the company’s business size, including applicable NAICS code(s). Capability packages should address their sources’ capabilities with respect to the key features discussed above and the following areas of interest. SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST: The following are examples of, but not intended to be an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of the areas of interest that the Government would like to obtain information: 1. Program Management. The Government is interested in understanding how commercial vendors manage Mainframe Hardware and Mainframe Software maintenance contracts. Specifically: a) what is the contractor’s philosophy b)approach to development/management of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), c) approach to performance metrics, d) reporting mechanisms, and e) approach to continuous process improvement 2. Mainframe HW & SW Maintenance Processes and Procedures. How commercial vendors perform the systems lifecycle from receipt of trouble tickets to close out, asset tracking, capacity planning, and delivery methods. 3. Repair Services. How the provider plans, manages, implements, and monitors all component of repair services. 4. Preventive Maintenance. How the provider plans, manages, implements, and monitors preventive maintenance services of hardware and software. 5. Equipment Disposal. How the provider plans, manages, implements, and monitors the activities associated with the removal and disposal of excess, broken and outdated material. 6. Warranty Management. How the provider plans, manages, implements, and monitors a comprehensive process for warranty management services. 7. Software Support. How the provider plans, manages, implements, and monitors a comprehensive process to maintain and upgrade software (commercial and firmware) with the latest versions available. INDUSTRY COMMENTS: The release of this RFI affords industry the opportunity to comment on any perceived issued 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, and is receptive to any and all ideas from industry which would result in limiting unncessaarily 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 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 extremely interested in Service Level Agreements and Performance Metrics used by industry to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of this mainframe HW & SW 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. NOTE: THIS NOTICE MAY HAVE POSTED ON FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (22-DEC-2004). IT ACTUALLY APPEARED OR REAPPEARED ON THE FEDBIZOPPS SYSTEM ON 11-JAN-2006, BUT REAPPEARED IN THE FTP FEED FOR THIS POSTING DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/TREAS/IRS/NOPAP/TBD/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 6009 Oxon Hill Road Oxon Hill, MD
- Zip Code: 20745
- Country: US
- Zip Code: 20745
- Record
- SN00965132-F 20060113/060111214204 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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