Notice ID: 36C10A23Q0191
Related Notice: 36C10A23Q0185
Description
The VA, Office of Information Technology (OIT), Infrastructure Operations (IO) requires brand name NetEx software licenses and maintenance support. The NetEx software is utilized for Bulk File & Print transfers between Bull and International Business Machines (IBM) systems to ensure Veteran entitlement payments are not interrupted. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) relies on this data transfer protocol functionality to support the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN) Payment System to ensure that benefits entitlement payments are paid to the Veteran from the Treasury. The NetEx software utilizes a direct, point to point, network connection that allows for data transfer communication between the existing IBM Z Series Operating System (z/OS) and the Bull Groupe General Comprehensive Operating System (GCOS). The NetEx software is installed on the Bull GCOS located in the Philadelphia Information Technology Center (PITC) Disaster Recovery site. The IBM z/OS is located at the Austin Information Technology Center (AITC). The VA requires requires a data connection to provide data encryption capabilities between PITC and AITC. NetEx software encrypted data transport within the IBM z/OS mainframe (located in AITC) and Bull GCOS mainframe (located in PITC). The data transport will utilize existing Linux servers at AITC to encrypt and decrypt the data on behalf of the Bull GCOS mainframe. The contractor shall deliver to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Infrastructure Operations (IO) software license & maintenance for the following NetEx software products currently in use at the VA. The Contractor shall provide one (1) telephone number and/or a point of contact for VA to contact and opening maintenance service calls. The Contractor shall provide secure connection capabilities for the downloading of software updates and/or the uploading of diagnostic information. The preferred protocol for transfer is Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
