Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

70 -- CONTRACTOR SOUGHT WITH EXPERTISE TO MODIFY/UPGRADE EVENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOL Reference-Number-EMSSPOTS052600 DUE 061000 POC Cynthia Spencer, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109653369, Fax 4109659560, Email cynthia.spencer@ssa.gov -- Wayne Mcdonald, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109659480, Fax 4109659560, Email wayne.mcdonald@ssa.gov WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=R&ProjID=Reference-Num ber-EMSSPOTS052600&LocID=2422. E-MAIL: Cynthia Spencer, cynthia.spencer@ssa.gov. This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: When responding to this announcement, respondents should refer to EMS/SPOTS052600. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is seeking a contractor with expertise in providing support to modify and upgrade the Event Management System (EMS) and the Site Prep On-line Tracking System (SPOTS). The EMS is SSA_s on-line mainframe project management and inventory collection application used throughout the Agency during the installation and implementation of major Intelligent Workstation/Local Area Network (IWS/LAN) contract installations. The system allows SSA management personnel, consisting of over 3,000 registered users, to monitor, plan, evaluate, schedule and track site preparation and all associated installation activities which occur as a result of the installation plans. The system is comprised of a combination of standard and customized capabilities that specifically address the project management requirements necessary to track installation activities. The system also uploads information to SSA_s inventory control system. The information maintained in the EMS is used to manage over 2,000 project plans, as well as tracking site preparation activities for SSA_s SPOTS system from the information housed in the EMS. SSA plans to use SPOTS as its repository for future office relocation and installation information. The support provided must continue to assure consistency of information between all SSA users for future activities associated with office relocations. The contractor must 1) be proficient in the use and application of the FOCMAN database management tool; 2) have a detailed knowledge and proficiency in the use of the FOCUS Multi-Session Option (MSO) access method as applied in an MVS environment such as in the Agency; 3) be well versed on how FOCUS applications operate under a TSO environment and understand the dynamics of uploading and downloading data from a FOCUS database into other applications, data formats, spreadsheets, etc.; and 4) be able to create _AD-HOC_ reports as requested, document all programmatic changes in an SSA accepted standard and assist with testing product upgrades as applied. Both systems (EMS and SPOTS) are written in FOCUS and run in an MVS/OS/390 Ver. 2.6.0 and higher mainframe environment. These systems provide a set of applications used to plan, manage, control and evaluate simultaneous projects, on-line. The contractor will be required to: 1) produce reports by accessing the data bases created by both systems and may be required to add and delete fields from both data bases; 2) modify and add input screens as well as make upgrades to the SPOTS; 3) possess in depth knowledge and rapid learning skills in the use of FOCUS project management templates and scheduling techniques in order to make mass changes to the 4,000 plus project plans in SPOTS and EMS; and 4) have expertise to support, maintain and modify the existing lines of FOCUS code for applications in the mainframe/client server environment using 3270 emulation to provide the appropriate level of continued support needed for EMS and SPOTS. SSA is seeking a contractor with available staffing skills necessary to support its ongoing systems, and the ability to upgrade and modify the systems as necessary to provide continuous installation planning, tracking and inventory functionality within the entire Agency. Responses should be submitted to the address cited at the beginning of this RFI. FAXED RESPONSES SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED. This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response hereto will not be honored or acknowledged. The Government does not intend to pay for information provided in response to this announcement, respondents should refer to EMS/SPOTS052600. Posted 05/27/00 (D-SN459395). (0148)

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