10. Request, Background, Current Need, and Proposed Contracting Procedure: a. Request: DAS SPS, on behalf of EIS DCS, seeks approval of this Special Procurement Request No. 10700- 48422 (the “SP”) to directly award and negotiate multiple Services contracts with Chicago-Soft, Precisely, and DTS (collectively “Independent Software Vendors” or “ISVs”) for the existing Software applications listed in Section 9 above. b. Background: DCS delivers managed information technology (“IT”) Services to over 100 state and local government programs, including Wide Area Networking/Internet Access, Colocation Services, and Cloud Brokering Services. Its robust IBM mainframe infrastructure supports a centralized environment, running z/OS, z/VM and z/Linux operating systems, which host specialized mainframe applications. Many of these applications, including the brand-specific Software listed in Section 9 above, were consolidated into DCS from multiple state agencies nearly 20 years ago. These agencies include DAS, Oregon Department of Human Services (“ODHS”), Oregon Department of Transportation (“ODOT”), and Oregon Health Authority (“OHA”) (collectively referred to as “the Agencies”). • Chicago-Soft MVS/QuickRef®: enables the Agencies to quickly retrieve up-to-date information on system and application messages and codes, reference materials and Direct Access Storage Device (“DASD”) free space analysis. MVS/Quick-Ref® "pops-up" over the active ISPF (Interactive System Productivity Facility) software development environment (application), eliminating the need to toggle between screens and applications. MVS/QuickRef® is also a valuable tool for DCS mainframe system administrators and support teams because it provides immediate access to critical information about z/OS systems and applications, allowing users to quickly troubleshoot problems, resolve issues, and get systems back online efficiently. • Precisely Finalist and Code 1 Plus: These software products manage address information and are used in the mainframe environment by most DCS customers, especially those Agencies with mailing and distribution centers such as DAS, ODOT, and Oregon Department of Revenue (“ODOR”). • DTS Simulate 2000: is used by DCS staff and the Agencies to simulate multiple clocks on one machine to run “what if” scenarios and verify that batch jobs will proceed as anticipated. It allows developers and system administrators to test applications and systems by simulating future dates and times, enabling them to identify potential issues with date-sensitive logic within their software without altering the actual system date, ensuring smooth functionality when dealing with time-based events like month-end processing.
