Mainframe-Platform-DR-Modernization-Program-rev.pdf

January 22, 2026

To Whom It May Concern:

Subject: Expression of Interest – Mainframe Platform DR Modernization Program

SEPTA is conducting an industry review to gain market insight with the potential for a future procurement solicitation the Mainframe Platform DR Modernization Program. See attached EOI document for the information/comments being sought.

SEPTA requests that interested parties submit an EOI response document containing responses to the Authority’s questions and technical specification comments no later than 4:00 PM Friday February 16, 2026.

SEPTA does not intend to hold discussions at this time; however, SEPTA may contact interested parties to schedule individual meetings with SEPTA’s staff either at our headquarters in Philadelphia or virtually via video conference.

If your organization is interested in this project, please submit all documentation to me at jcoombs@septa.org.

By participating in this EOI the Proposer is unconditionally agreeing to the following: (i) SEPTA will be authorized to use any information submitted, referenced, or presented during this EOI including, but not limited to a potential Scope of Services; (ii) SEPTA shall be authorized to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works from any information received during this EOI; and (iii) SEPTA shall not be obligated to engage or otherwise compensate Proposer in any manner or for any reason for SEPTA’s use of any information and/or material submitted by Proposer during this EOI or information contained therein, or any other right granted hereunder.

Please note that this is not a vendor selection process. This letter must not be interpreted as an award of a contract or as a commitment to reimburse for any costs incurred in the preparation or participation of this

EOI.

Thank you for your interest in the Authority.

Sincerely, James Coombs Director, Contract Administration SEPTA’s Procurement and Supply Chain Management mailto:jcoombs@septa.org

1 | P a g e

SEPTA – Mainframe Hardware Disaster Recovery Modernization Expression of Interest (EOI)

1. Purpose

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified firms with demonstrated expertise in IBM mainframe disaster recovery, physical resiliency, and business continuity planning. SEPTA operate a mission-critical IBM Z mainframe environment that supports core Finance, Payroll, and Procurement functions.

The purpose of this EOI is to identify firms capable of delivering an end-to-end disaster recovery modernization program, including sourcing a like-for-like secondary mainframe, identifying and onboarding a qualified off-site data center facility, implementing the solution, and aligning technical recovery capabilities with SEPTA’s business continuity requirements.

This EOI is issued for information-gathering purposes and will inform SEPTA’s development of a future competitive solicitation.

2. Current Environment Overview (As-Is)

SEPTA’s current mainframe environment includes the following characteristics:

• Platform: IBM z14 ZR1 (Model 3097) with two LPARs (one general-purpose processor and one specialty processor).

• Capacity & Utilization: Rated at approximately 1200 MIPS, with an effective soft cap of approximately 88 MIPS; average workload utilization of approximately 35% CPU busy.

• Physical Footprint & Power: Approximately 500 square feet including frame and power distribution units;

maximum power draw of approximately 11 kW for a single frame.

• Memory & Storage: 52 GB installed memory with no observed paging; approximately 7.6 TB of DASD storage with low utilization; Luminex virtual tape system supporting backup and archival.

• Network Connectivity: IBM OSA 10 Gb network interface with relatively low average daily throughput.

3. Program Objectives

The objectives of the Mainframe Disaster Recovery Modernization Program are to:

• Establish a fully operational physical disaster recovery capability for SEPTA’s IBM mainframe environment within the greater Philadelphia tri-state area.

• Source and deploy a like-for-like secondary IBM Z platform capable of restoring from existing Luminex virtual tape backups.

• Identify and onboard a qualified off-site data center facility that meets SEPTA’s reliability, security, and operational requirements.

• Define and integrate Recovery Time Objectives (RTO), Recovery Point Objectives (RPO), and business continuity requirements for Payroll and Procurement.

• Implement a sustainable, testable, and auditable disaster recovery operating model.

2 | P a g e

4. Scope of Interest / Workstreams

SEPTA seeks firms capable of delivering services across the following four integrated workstreams.

Workstream 1 – Mainframe Disaster Recovery Platform Sourcing

• Assess SEPTA’s current production mainframe environment, including processing capacity, LPAR configuration, memory, storage, and backup architecture.

• Define requirements for a like-for-like IBM Z disaster recovery platform capable of supporting Finance, Payroll, and Procurement operations during a disaster event.

• Recommend sourcing options (purchase or lease) aligned with SEPTA’s capacity profile, licensing considerations, and long-term operational needs.

• Ensure compatibility with existing Luminex virtual tape backup and restore processes.

Workstream 2 – Off-Site Facility Identification & Readiness Planning

SEPTA does not intend to remediate previously identified secondary facilities. This workstream will focus on identifying, evaluating, and onboarding an off-site facility suitable for hosting a secondary IBM Z platform.

Vendors shall:

• Define detailed facility requirements informed by SEPTA’s as-is environment, including:

o Space and floor loading requirements (minimum ~500 sq. ft., appropriate floor load ratings, service clearances).

o Power requirements (redundant utility feeds, UPS, generator capacity sufficient to support ~11 kW per frame).

o Cooling and environmental controls are appropriate for IBM Z platforms.

o Physical security and access controls.

o Network connectivity requirements, including redundant, low-latency connectivity back to

SEPTA’s primary site.

• Identify and evaluate candidate commercial data centers, colocation providers, or managed disaster recovery facilities.

• Perform site due diligence and produce a comparative assessment of candidate facilities, including risks, constraints, and cost considerations.

• Recommend a preferred off-site facility and develop a site readiness and implementation plan.

Workstream 3 – Implementation & Enablement

• Execute the approved disaster recovery solution, including:

o Procurement and installation of the secondary mainframe platform.

o Coordination with the selected off-site facility for space, power, cooling, and security readiness.

o Network integration and validation of backup and restore processes.

• Develop operational runbooks, access procedures, and disaster recovery activation workflows.

• Support initial and periodic disaster recovery testing to validate operational readiness.

3 | P a g e

Workstream 4 – Business Continuity & Recovery Alignment

• Engage SEPTA’s Finance, Payroll, and Procurement stakeholders to define and document:

o Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) o Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) o Application recovery sequencing and dependencies

• Align business recovery requirements with the physical and technical disaster recovery design.

• Ensure business continuity requirements are embedded into the final disaster recovery architecture, testing strategy, and operating model.

5. Vendor Qualifications

Interested firms must demonstrate:

• Proven experience delivering IBM mainframe disaster recovery solutions, including physical DR environments.

• Experience sourcing, implementing, and operating IBM Z platforms in primary/secondary or DR configurations.

• Expertise in data center and facility evaluation, including power, cooling, and network requirements for mainframe workloads.

• Experience integrating business continuity planning with technical disaster recovery solutions.

• Ability to deliver structured programs in large, regulated public-sector or enterprise environments.

6. Submission Details

• Deadline: February 15, 2026

• Format: PDF or Word document, maximum 15 pages

• Contact: James Coombs

• Subject Line:

“EOI – Mainframe Disaster Recovery Modernization – [Firm Name]”

Submissions should clearly describe the firm’s approach, methodology, relevant experience, and proposed engagement model across all four workstreams.

7. Next Steps

SEPTA will review all submissions and develop a shortlist of qualified firms. Selected firms may be invited to engage with SEPTA stakeholders to further discuss their approach and demonstrate alignment with SEPTA’s technical and business requirements.

Information gathered through this EOI will inform SEPTA’s development of a formal competitive solicitation

8. Disclaimer

This Expression of Interest is issued for information-gathering purposes only and does not oblige SEPTA to issue a solicitation or award a contract. SEPTA reserve the right to modify, cancel, or take no further action related to this EOI at its sole discretion.