RFI_IBM MFaaS_12.18.2025.docx

Request for Information International Business Machines Corporation, Mainframe-as-a-Service Solution Request for Information International Business Machines Corporation, Mainframe-as-a-Service Solution

1.0 INTRODUCTION

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This request is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), a solicitation, or an indication that the Government will award a contract for the items contained in this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred for responses to this RFI. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any issued. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. All submissions become Government Property and will not be returned. Companies are encouraged to respond if they have the capability and/or capacity to provide the items identified in this RFI. This RFI notice is part of the Government’s Market Research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information from industry, with respect to their current and near-term abilities. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly.

The NAICS for this requirement is 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services). The Small Business Size Standard is $40 Million average annual receipts. Small Business companies with the capability to perform this requirement, in total or in part, are encouraged to participate. If you are interested only in subcontracting opportunities, please indicate this fact clearly in your submission. Should you believe a different NAICS code better applies to the requirement requested under this request for information please provide your suggestions in your response to the RFI. Please indicate your company size and socio-economic status for applicable NAICS codes.

Be advised that set-aside decisions may be made based on the information provided in response to this RFI. Responses should be as complete and informative as possible.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a contractor with deep expertise and proven experience in running, operating, and managing mainframe environments, specifically tailored to the comprehensive requirements outlined in this RFI. The prime contractor, not a subcontractor, shall possess deep expertise and proven experience in running, operating, and managing these environments and must have a demonstrated track record of recruiting strong mainframe talent. This RFI seeks vendors, with experience in International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) mainframe support, to submit their capabilities and suggested approaches to meeting the specified outcomes-based requirements through a Mainframe-as-a-Service (MFaaS) solution.

Currently, the IBM mainframe support team operates in the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Infrastructure Operations (IO) pillar, providing critical support for IBM Mainframes hosting various applications critical for VA business and mission initiatives.

2.0 BACKGROUND

Hardware: VA applications run on two IBM Z16 Mainframes hosted by the Enterprise Data Centers located in Austin, TX and Philadelphia, PA. The solution also consists of two Virtual Tape Systems, IBM TS7770, one located at the Austin Information Technology Center and the second located at the Philadelphia Information Technology Center.

Software: The current software solution consists of software from 22 separate original equipment manufacturers (OEM) software providers that are procured, installed, managed, and run on the IBM Z16 Mainframes. A complete list of software is included as Attachment 1.

Applications: The VA hosts approximately 60 VA applications on the IBM Z16 mainframes. VA can flex the number of applications up or down depending on VA’s needs. As VA needs change, applications may migrate on or off the IBM Z16 platform, thus increasing or decreasing the number of hosted applications.

Services/Labor: The VA currently manages the solution with a mix of VA full-time employees and contractor staff. The labor force operates primarily in a remote setting and performs during normal business hours with call back. In the event of an emergency or hardware upgrade, employees may be required to be temporarily on-site for the fix or upgrade.

The Contractor shall offer support across multiple scenarios defined below, including day shifts, normal business hours, callbacks, after hours, weekends, and Federal holidays.

Tour of duty:

3.0 DESIRED OUTCOMES AND REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

Provide a complete MFaaS solution to manage all hardware, software, and services/labor support for VA’s current solution.

3.1 STORAGE

The Contractor shall:

• Ensure critical business applications that use IBM Mainframe Direct Access Storage Devices (DASDs) be available 24X7X365 with 99.9% availability with zero unplanned outages due to DASD related issues.

• Ensure customer issues and requests are resolved within 1 business day using VA’s ticketing system, currently ServiceNow (SN)

• Ensure effective troubleshooting occurs during normal business hours and support customer call back, if requested.

• Ensure IBM DASD operates at peak efficiency with necessary tuning, approved changes following established change management procedures and improvement recommendations.

• Ensure all software/hardware compliance and upgrade efforts are completed in coordination with all relevant stakeholders with zero unplanned downtime.

• Ensure DASD, z/OS components are seamlessly integrated and compatible, and performance is aligned with VA Mainframe objectives.

• Ensure procedures, processes and configuration documents are created, modified, and provided in accordance with the delivery schedule to mainframe leadership so VA can maintain up to date copies of the environment.

• Provide required documentation to maintain the Authority To Operate (ATO).

• Ensure the existing ATO is maintained so that the mainframe systems meet the necessary security and compliance standards required for operation within VA’s environment.

3.2 MAINFRAME TUNING

The Contractor shall:

• Ensure all customer jobs are completed on time with no resource conflicts due to logical and physical system resource management and monitoring.

• Ensure mainframe critical applications maintain uptime through use of performance monitoring tools and automation.

3.3 TRANSACTION PROCESSING SUPPORT

The Contractor shall:

• Ensure customer jobs are successfully completed due to adequate system resources applied and monitoring of the jobs.

• Ensure customer requests and modifications for resources during jobs are completed immediately.

• Ensure all staged resources and databases are in place prior to the start of a job and coordinated with the customer in advance.

3.4 MAINFRAME SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor shall:

• Provide 24/7/365, virtual and onsite support, to strengthen the overall security of the mainframe environment.

• Ensure access to mainframe systems follow the principle of least privilege to perform job functions.

• Ensure access control and all VA security policies and are in line with VA regulatory standards.

• Establish a clear incident management process and ensure timely and accurate reporting of security incidents.

• Update procedures as needed to ensure they meet OIT mission requirements and comply with Federal Laws, VA policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• Provide response time of 2 hours to support access control issues during normal business hours and call back as requested in the event support is needed.

3.5 SOFTWARE PROCUREMENT, TRACKING, INSTALLATION, AND ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor shall:

• Procure all software listed in Attachment 1.

• Install and optimize all software.

• Validate and track all software with VA Application Owners.

• Reconcile all procured software with the OEM and VA Customers. Ensure license type, quantity, period of performance, license keys, support details, receipt, and installation are acquired accurately and reconciled between VA’s need, purchase details, and fulfillment by the software provider or OEM.

• Ensure existing and newly added software tools are compatible with mainframe environments.

• Provide scalability of existing software and possess the ability to add new software or remove software that is no longer needed.

• Provide software that meets VA’s Technology Reference Model (TRM) approval requirements.

• Provide an analysis of all software running on VA mainframes and their optimization level.

3.6 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, INTEGRATION, AND OPTIMIZATION

The Contractor shall exhibit:

• Mastery level knowledge and experience in the installation, configuration and usage of IBM Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM).

• Mastery level knowledge and experience in the installation, configuration and usage of IBM Storage Management Subsystem (SMS).

• Mastery level knowledge and experience in the installation, configuration and usage of IBM Removal Media Manager (RMM).

• Expertise in writing Automatic Class Selection (ACS) routines.

• Comprehensive knowledge in IBM mainframe storage management utilities, principles and concepts.

• Expert knowledge in the installation, configuration and maintenance of IBM Customer Information Control System (CICS) software.

• Mastery knowledge of IBM CICS to define required resources such as transactions, programs and map sets.

• Expertise in CICS connections utilized in the data management interface.

• Expert knowledge in Secure File Transfer Protocol and CICS Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol sockets.

• Extensive knowledge in the installation, configuration and maintenance of IBM Database 2 (DB2) and Broadcom/Computer Associates Integrated Database Management System.

• Mastery knowledge in managing and maintaining software databases.

• Expertise understanding and experience in using BMC Mainview suite for performance tuning and automation.

• Knowledge of Merrill’s Expanded Guide in generating reports for statistical analysis and performance tuning.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Job Control Language and Restructured Extended Executor language.

• Crucial soft skills to effectively communicate and demonstrate proven teamwork.

• Proficiency with security software and security information and event management.

• Expert knowledge in defining and administering user access controls in both Broadcom/CA TopSecret and IBM resource access control facility.

• Experience in maintaining certificates and keyrings.

• Knowledge of federal audit requirements and assisting to provide evidence of security controls.

3.7 PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Contractor shall:

• Achieve 99.9% uptime of mainframe infrastructure that supports customer applications.

• Ensure service ticket resolution and closures are resolved within the agreed upon times.

• Maintain software on current and supported levels of software.

• Provide continuous monitoring of storage disk pools, CICS transaction response rate and/or databases.

• Adhere to VA change control process for all changes.

• Create knowledge documentation repository and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). All documentation remains property of VA.

• Monitor progress against agreed-upon milestones and timelines.

• Review the schedule periodically and discuss work accomplishments, planned activities, and problem areas or issues, if any, against task objectives.

• Recognize potential issues that could impact the contract's success and take proactive measures to mitigate them.

• Conduct periodic meetings or conference calls with the VA to discuss schedule, work quality, and performance goals to meet VA’s mission.

• Maintain open and transparent communication to address any issues.

• Provide clear communication and escalation of potential issues or concerns.

• Keep detailed records of all monitoring activities, including progress reports, inspections, and communications.

3.8 FORECASTED DELIVERABLES

• Monthly Uptime Report: Report or dashboard demonstrating 99.9% mainframe infrastructure uptime.

• Monthly ServiceNow Ticket Resolution Report: Provide a report on SN ticket resolutions, including details of troubleshooting steps and resolutions.

• Monthly Efficiency Tuning Report: Monthly tuning and efficiency report detailing actions taken and results achieved to maintain DASD at peak efficiency.

• Quarterly Compliance and Upgrade Documentation: Document coordination and completion of software/hardware compliance and upgrades.

• Integration Documentation: Ensure integration of DASD, z/OS components and provide documentation that confirms compatibility and performance alignment with VA Mainframe objectives.

• Annual Procedures and Processes Documentation: Document and update procedures, processes, configuration documents, and SOP’s.

• ATO Documentation (Annual): Provide evidence of ATO compliance.

• Monthly Performance Monitoring Report: Report on the performance monitoring tools and automation used to maintain uptime for critical applications.

• Monthly Job Completion Log Report: Provide a monthly log of all customer jobs to include job detail, duration, and outcome.

• Monthly Resource Allocation Report: Provide a monthly report on system resource allocation and monitoring for customer jobs.

• Monthly Support Availability Report: Documentation of 24/7/365 support availability and response times, including virtual and onsite support logs.

• Security Incident Reports (as required): Establish and provide documentation of a clear incident management process, including timely and accurate reporting of security incidents.

• ACS Routine Documentation (as required): Written Documentation of ACS routines.

• Monthly Monitoring Report: Continuous monitoring report for storage disk pools, CICS transaction response rates, and databases.

• Monthly Progress Report: Report detailing the monthly accomplishments, achieved and forecasted milestones, event timelines, and identification of any potential issues.

• Annual Software Repository Report: Report detailing purchased and installed software to include software licenses, license type, keys, support levels, period of performance, TRM Compliance and Compatibility with mainframe environments.

• Annual Software Scalability and Analysis Report: Report detailing the scalability of existing software and ability to add or remove software. The report shall include an analysis of all software running on VA mainframes and their optimization level. The report shall identify redundant software and provide recommendations to eliminate redundancy and increase efficiency. The report shall include transition plans, when applicable.

4.0 RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS:

There is a page limitation for this RFI of 15 pages. The Government will not review any other information or attachments included, that are in excess of the 15-page limit. NO MARKETING MATERIALS ARE ALLOWED AS PART OF THIS RFI. Generic capability statements will not be accepted or reviewed. Your response must address capabilities specific to the services required in this RFI.

a. Interested Contractors shall at a minimum provide the following information in the initial paragraph of the submission:

· Name of Company

· SAM Unique Entity ID

· Commercial and Government Entity Code

· Address

· Point of Contact Name

· Phone Number

· Fax Number

· Email address

· Company Business Size and Status

· NAICS code(s)

· Socioeconomic data

· Existing Contractual Vehicles the contractor holds for providing these services (Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), Federal Supply Schedule, other agency GWACs or Multiple Award Contract, etc.)

· For Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) / Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), proof of verification in the U.S Small Business Administration Veteran Small Business Certification.

b. Provide a description of your approach and capabilities in meeting the desired outcomes and required services listed above. List any labor constraints or limitations for hardware support, software support, or customer application support.

c. Provide a list of corporate experience or expertise you have in performing IBM Mainframe support or MFaaS where you are the prime contractor and give specific examples or references. Specific examples or references provided must include the agency, point of contact, dollar value, and contract number.

d. Address whether there would be a need to provide a hardware technical refresh and how often.

e. Address whether you can acquire and provide support for the software listed in Attachment 1. Please list all software that you can support as well as any software you are unable to support. If you have an alternate software solution, please provide details on how you would meet the existing functionality.

f. Address if a Cloud Service Provider could be leveraged as a whole or in part to acquire VA’s current software footprint as a Software as a Service solution. If possible, provide what portion of the software footprint could be acquired through a Hybrid solution. If so, how would a Contractor integrate a solution within the mainframe?

g. Provide any additional information, suggestions, or limitations for the scope of this MFaaS request.

h. Provide a rough order of magnitude for the cost of the solution for a 12-month base period with four (4) 12-month option periods. Please address scalability in your pricing in the event VA’s demand scales up or down.

i. For SDVOSB/ VOSB concerns, indicate whether at least 50 percent of the cost of performance incurred is planned to be expended for employees of your concern or employees of other eligible SDVOSB/VOSB concerns.

j. Has the RFI provided sufficient detail to describe the technical requirements that encompass the software development and production operations support services to be performed under this effort.

_____ YES ______ NO (if NO, answer question k.)

k. If “NO”, please provide your technical comments/recommendations on elements of the RFI that may contribute to a more accurate proposal submission and efficient, cost-effective effort.

5.0 RESPONSES

If you can provide the necessary supplies or services, please respond to this RFI certifying capability.

Note: Provide a capability package that is clear, concise, and complete. VA is under no obligation to provide feedback to the company, or to contact the company for clarification of any information submitted in response to this RFI.

VA is contemplating a firm fixed price task order, and anticipates awarding to only one responsive, responsible contractor.

Responses are due no later than 12:00 p.m. ET, January 09, 2026, via the SAM.GOV website. If there are issues with the SAM.GOV website, please email your submission to Contract Specialist Shannon Hines at Shannon.Hines@va.gov and Contracting Officer John Vardouniotis at ioannis.vardouniotis@va.gov. Please note “IBM MFaaS” in the subject line of your response. Mark your response as “Proprietary Information” if the information is considered business sensitive. The email file size shall not exceed 5 MB.