Inactive 8(a) Set-Aside (FAR 19.8)

Title of Requirement: CBP Overtime Scheduling System (COSS) and Time and Attendance Management System (TAMS), and Supporting Environments Description: This is not a solicitation for proposals or quota... Title of Requirement: CBP Overtime Scheduling System (COSS) and Time and Attendance Management System (TAMS), and Supporting Environments Description: This is not a solicitation for proposals or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The priority mission of CBP is to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States. This important mission calls for improved security at America's borders and ports of entry as well as for extending the zone of security beyond physical borders so that American borders are the last line of defense, not the first. CBP is also responsible for apprehending individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally, stemming the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband; protecting our agricultural and economic interests from harmful pests and diseases; protecting American businesses from theft of their intellectual property; and regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. trade laws. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Overtime Scheduling System (COSS) supports the following three (3) DHS missions: Enforce and Administer Our Immigration Laws, Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security, and Secure and Manage our Borders. COSS is essential to the DHS and CBP missions because it manages CBP officer's work schedules and resource records to ensure proper operations are maintained. COSS, along with the Time and Attendance Management System (TAMS), and the Asset Information Management System (AIMS) were re-hosted off the IBM z/OS mainframe to a Red Hat Linux distributed platform in December 2017, utilizing Micro Focus Enterprise Server (MFES) for mainframe emulation. These online IBM CICS and Batch COBOL applications are accessed and utilized by approximately 35,000 CBP users. The application suite consists of 1,600 modules (batch, online, maps, and includes), over 450 screens and over 1 million lines of code. Descriptions of each system follows: COSS: COSS allows supervisors to schedule regular and overtime work assignments for their employees. The system keeps track of schedule and assignment data, maintains projected and actual costs, pay cap, equalization, staffing, budgeting, time and attendance, and billing information. COSS also provides a variety of online and batch reporting functions to track overtime and premium pay and to ensure CBP personnel are compliant with the overtime cap restrictions as mandated by Congress. TAMS: The Time and Attendance Management System (TAMS) is the timecard system that was the predecessor to COSS. All employees now use COSS for their Time and Attendance needs. TAMS is only being used for various reporting needs, and to format the data for payroll processing at U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Finance Center (USDA NFC). AIMS-RA: ASDM Access Request System was developed to assist users in obtaining sign-on access and access to the Administrative systems by eliminating the manual (paper) process for requesting access. The ASDM Access Request System offers an automated request process for provisioning and tracking user access for the COSS/TAMS applications. The responsibility for requesting systems access is placed directly on the users. AIMS-SE: The AIMS Security Module was written to handle all the security functions, including the building and maintaining of user profiles, for the applications in the ASDM Access Request system (AIMS-RA). It also performs all the necessary functions to maintain a file of System Administrators (SAs) and System Control Officers (SCOs). COSS Integrated Application Security Tool (CIAST): CIAST is a java-based tool which allows users with elevated privileges to grant emergency access and reset user passwords for the system. CIAST encapsulates approximately 3,000 lines of code, running on Apache Tomcat. COSS Client Desktop application: Is a customized IBM Host on Demand (HOD) based TN3270 emulator JAVA application. This application allows authorized users to logon with a userid and password to access the screens. Purpose and Objectives: CBP is currently developing and fielding a modernized system. The COSS Transformation Initiative (CTI) will replace the COSS/TAMS/AIMS application landscape with a modern, integrated scheduling and timekeeping solution. The implementation of CTI is expected to increase scheduling and timekeeping efficiencies, provide a sustainable solution, and increase manpower availability in the field. CTI is currently expected to be in place by the end of January 2024. COSS/TAMS/AIMS are currently in O&M mode and need to be managed as such until its retirement in CY2024. The primary objectives include: The maintenance of existing Micro Focus COBOL code, to include modifications and enhancements as necessary, to meet the business needs. Application support and configuration management of the Micro Focus Enterprise Server environment to include monitoring, patching and software upgrades for the Redhat Linux and Windows environments. The administration and configuration of the Micro Focus Build Server and Enterprise Developer environments, to include the installation and maintenance of third-party software and development tools Support for the application interface to the Common Unix Print Server (CUPS) environment The administration of Resource Security and User Access Management for the COSS, TAMS and AIMS application environments User support of the application and trouble ticket resolution. The maintenance of existing Java code for the COSS Integrated Application Security Tool (CIAST) and the COSS client 3270 emulator. Maintain all internal and external system interfaces, to include Web services and Security interfaces. Support for financial auditing, documentation, and cybersecurity activities. Maintain the CA-Datacom to Oracle database I/O interfaces Project requirements: Security/Background Investigation requirements: Cleared personnel with federal experience at the start date of the contract. Upgrade of all required versioning to include software, servers, and operating systems. Experienced personnel to manage the Micro Focus application platform to include Micro Focus Enterprise Server Administration and Micro Focus Enterprise Developer and Microfocus COBOL. Requires experience with SSL, certificate management, Load balancing, SFTP, SOAP and JSON web services. Experienced with Oracle database, XA connections and PRO*COBOL pre-compiler. Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide, as part of their responses, a capability statement clearly identifying their ability to provide the requested service. The respondent must also provide their organization name, address, point of contact, DUNS Number, CAGE Code, SAM.Gov UEI, NAICS Code, size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone etc.), pursuant to the applicable NAICS code, Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contract Number and SIN and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to three (3) page limit. The 3-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to Sandra McCoy-Lewis at e-mail address sandra.mccoy-lewis@cbp.dhs.gov. The response must be received on or before January 4, 2023, 5:00 pm, Eastern Time.