Mainframe Support

Position: Mainframe Support

Duration: 1 year

Location: New York City, NY

Total Working hours: 1240 Hours, Changeable or extendable)

Work Mode: Hybrid/On-site

Interview Mode: Teams

Special Requirement:

The actual amount of Work will be determined during contract administration by agency, in its sole discretion.

The NYC agency is seeking a well-qualified vendor with specialized expertise and resources to provide professional support for the maintenance, administration, and enhancement of its mainframe applications. These services will include executing the task-level activities required to deliver strategic improvements and ensure the ongoing stability of existing mainframe systems.

2. Background

The organization currently operates critical legacy applications on the IPIS mainframe environment, which require ongoing maintenance, administration, and support to ensure operational continuity. These systems support key business functions and require specialized technical expertise in mainframe technologies, including ADABAS, Natural, COBOL, CICS, VSAM, and JCL.

In addition to maintaining existing systems, there is a need to support data extraction and migration activities to enable integration with modern platforms. This includes extracting data from mainframe applications, transporting it to distributed environments, and loading it into downstream systems such as SQL Server and CRM/Dynamics 365 using tools like SSIS, KingswaySoft, and Azure-based solutions.

The organization is also undertaking initiatives to modernize its technology landscape, including the development of a data archiving solution and the transition from the legacy mainframe environment to the ACRES system. These efforts require support in data analysis, migration, testing, and system integration, as well as collaboration with internal stakeholders, consultants, and business users.

The awarded vendor will be expected to provide end-to-end support, including system maintenance, troubleshooting, data management, system analysis and design, and participation in project transition activities to ensure a seamless and efficient modernization process.

3. Scope of Work

The awarded vendor will be responsible for providing comprehensive technical support and services for the administration, maintenance, and enhancement of the current IPIS mainframe systems, while also supporting the transition to modern platforms, including CRM Dynamics, ARCHIBUS, and the development and implementation of a data archive solution.

The Service Provider will play a critical role in ensuring business continuity of legacy systems while enabling modernization efforts through data migration, system integration, and application support. This includes maintaining system reliability, supporting ongoing development efforts, and ensuring accurate and efficient data movement across platforms.

For the duration of this service, the Service Provider will operate in a highly collaborative and integrated environment, working closely with agency, internal technical teams, business stakeholders, and third-party consultants. The vendor will be expected to actively participate in release management processes, including planning, coordination, testing, and deployment of system updates across multiple platforms.

The Service Provider will be required to:

• Provide consistent monitoring, maintenance, and performance optimization of mainframe systems.
• Ensure timely resolution of system issues, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Maintain clear and comprehensive technical documentation for all processes, code, data flows, and system changes.
• Adhere to Agency standards for security, data governance, and change management.
• Demonstrate flexibility in adapting to evolving priorities, timelines, and technical requirements.

Participate in, at minimum, weekly status meetings with Agency to review progress, identify risks, and align on priorities and milestones. The awarded vendor would be responsible for:

Deliverable

Milestone 1: Mainframe System Maintenance & Administration

• Maintain and administer current IPIS mainframe applications.
• Support the development of new features and transition into new systems.

Milestone 2:  Data Extraction from Mainframe Applications

Extract data as text files using:

• ADABAS (IPIS), Natural (IPIS), CICS (TAS, MAS), COBOL (TAS, MAS), VSAM, and flat files.
• IBM utilities (IDCAMS, SORT, File Manager) to review file contents.
• JCL to run programs and compile programs for MAS data extraction.
• TSO mainframe development environment for programming.

Data Transport & Loading:

• Conduct data transport from mainframe to Windows server text files using UC4 file transfer.

Load data into CRM/Dynamics 365 from SQL servers, utilizing:

• SQL Server and SQL Server Management Studio
• SQL queries
• SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
• KingswaySoft data tools (quickly learnable by developers familiar with SSIS)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Integration
• Services projects
• Microsoft Azure / Git
• CRM/Dynamics 365

Milestone 3:    Data Archive Solution

• Support the development of a data archive solution through data analysis, migration, testing and migration support.               

Milestone 4: System Support & Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot any system feature issues and ensure ongoing system operation.

System Analysis & Design:

• Participate in system analysis, system design, and requirements sessions as needed.
• Demonstrate technical understanding of data and technical database design for system development and solutioning.

Project Transition & Collaboration:

• Support the transition from the mainframe legacy system to the new ACRES system by collaborating with internal resources, consultants, and business users to ensure a smooth transition.