IBM Z9 Mainframe Support and M204 Database Admin and Application Support

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done The managed service is required to support an IBM Z9 mainframe, CCA/Rocket M204 database administration and application support service which provides ONS business areas capabilities for the statistical processing of social statistics. Problem to Be Solved ONS requires a service provider to operate an IBM Z9 mainframe with DS8100 disc array and TS3500 tape. Additionally CCA/Rocket M204 database administration functions and application support and development is required. For the avoidance of doubt ONS remains accountable for the hardware support, the operating system support costs and all software application licence costs of the mainframe system. Who Are the Users ONS has a number of discrete users of its mainframe database and application services both internal and external to the organisation. All the users are public sector bodies and the service operates at a level which will require the service provider to engage SC cleared staff in supporting the systems. Early Market Engagement In line with central Government IT strategy ONS is currently embarking on a transformation of its services which necessitates a short/medium term engagement with specialist service providers. One of ONS current operations use an IBM Z9 mainframe running CCA/Rocket M204 database and ONS is seeking a partner to support this operation. Early market engagement/research indicates this area is niche and therefore does not align with Government strategy. Work Already Done The IBM mainframe service requirement is described in the section titled - Working arrangements. The CCA/Rocket M204 service requirement is described in the section titled - Summary of work. Existing Team The supplier will be "the sole team" providing the mainframe, database administration and application support services. From the discovery phase undertaken ONS has determined the following resource estimates can be used as a benchmark; IBM Z9 mainframe support - 3 (FTE) M204 Database Administration - 1.5 (FTE) M204 Application support & development - 4 (FTE) For the avoidance of doubt there are no TUPE liabilities for any potential service provider. Current Phase Not applicable Work Location Primarily the support service can be delivered remotely - with the provision of ONS support equipment (laptops) via remote access. Regular service review meetings will take place at ONS locations - at either the Newport or Titchfield sites. Ad hoc on site attendance will be required. Working Arrangments The IBM mainframe service requirement is described in the section titled - Working arrangements. The CCA/Rocket M204 service requirement is described in the section titled - Summary of work. Security Clearance Any engineers engaged to support the services must have a minimum security clearance of SC. Additional T&Cs Standard Framework terms apply Skills & Experience IBM Z9 system programming IBM Z9 system management/operations support IBM Z9 security hardening IBM Z9 system housekeeping, backup, recovery, monitoring, security administration, storage management CCA/Rocket M204 DB system tuning CCA/Rocket M204 DB file monitoring and tuning CCA/Rocket M204 DB file/group definitions and creations CCA/Rocket M204 DB re-orgs and re-creations CCA/Rocket M204 DB maintenace and upgrades CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - application monitoring and availability CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - application preparation CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - batch monitoring and remediation CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - interface monitoring and remediation CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - user request monitoring and remediation CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - periodic reporting CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - data file amendment requests CCA/Rocket M204 Application support - code maintenance, minor code changes Nice to Haves Support of other central Government IBM mainframe systems No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria Value for money Providers approach meets ONS strategic goal Cultural Fit Criteria Experience of working in a secure, collaborative manner Payment Approach Fixed price Assessment Method Written proposal Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 70% Cultural fit 10% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers No questions have been answered yet Budget range ons have indicated our estimated fte effort and have a working understanding of typical industry rate card costs for these resources.