The clients are the public broadcasters of the Federal Republic of Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, ARD), Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) and Deutschlandradio (DR), represented by the management of the contribution service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio (hereinafter referred to as "contribution service" or "client").

The Contribution Service intends to conclude a service contract for the performance of tasks in the z/OS system environment at a fixed price for a period of four years. The service contract is concluded with the award of the contract. However, the actual start of performance is the 1st of the month following the award of the contract, but at the earliest 01.07.2023.

As part of the z/OS Services, the external service provider (hereinafter referred to as "Service Provider") shall ensure the operation of the z/OS system environments of the Contribution Service. The mainframe infrastructure remains at the location of the contribution service. The tasks to be outsourced concern services in the areas of z/OS system programming, storage management, RACF administration and z/OS operating. The service provider has to provide day-to-day business, ongoing activities as well as periodically occurring activities.

The clients are the public broadcasters of the Federal Republic of Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, ARD), Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) and Deutschlandradio (DR), represented by the management of the contribution service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio (hereinafter referred to as "contribution service" or "client").

The Contribution Service intends to conclude a service contract for the performance of tasks in the z/OS system environment at a fixed price for a period of four years. The service contract is concluded with the award of the contract. However, the actual start of performance is the 1st of the month following the award of the contract, but at the earliest 01.07.2023.

As part of the z/OS Services, the external service provider (hereinafter referred to as "Service Provider") shall ensure the operation of the z/OS system environments of the Contribution Service. The mainframe infrastructure remains at the location of the contribution service. The tasks to be outsourced concern services in the areas of z/OS system programming, storage management, RACF administration and z/OS operating. The service provider has to provide day-to-day business, ongoing activities as well as periodically occurring activities.

With the start of the contract, the transition phase begins. The completion of the transition phase (date "Change of Control") takes place by written declaration of both parties. It must be ensured that the "change of control" takes place by 01.02.2024 at the latest. With the "Change of Control", the operational responsibility for the z/OS services is incumbent on the service provider, in accordance with the specifications of the contribution service.

The processing of the tasks is carried out using the applications provided by the contribution service via remote access and using the technical facilities and workstations of the service provider. Remote access is provided via a service managed by the Contribution Service.

As an orientation for the annual average expenses, the Contribution Service assumes an annual average requirement of up to 450 person-days (PT). The service provider is required to forecast the effort itself based on the requirements of the tender documents. In this case, the cost estimate of the contribution service can also be exceeded or undercut.

The service provider must ensure the service time from Monday to Friday (except national holidays) from 06:30 - 17:00. The service provider must operate its location within Germany and be available for the contribution service in German within the service hours. Direct contact with the service provider must be ensured.

The deployment of all employees required for the implementation of this contract is the responsibility of the service provider. During the entire term of the contract, the service provider must ensure that only suitably qualified personnel are used for the provision of services.

The service provider shall ensure by means of suitable technical and organisational measures that the service is provided without delay and without restriction, even in the event of the absence of its employees. In the event of prevention (e.g. vacation, illness), representatives with the same qualifications must be appointed. Any necessary training costs will not be paid or remunerated by the Contribution Service.

The operating time of the z/OS systems as well as the connected systems for data storage and data backup is 7 x 24.

The operational readiness of the z/OS system environment must be ensured in compliance with information security.

The operation of the systems is divided into online operation and batch operation. The online operation is defined from Monday to Friday between 06:00 - 19:15 o'clock and on about 15 days a year also on Saturdays between 06:00 - 14:00 o'clock. The rest of the time the batch operation takes place.

The response times are determined depending on the service time and the priority. Priority 1 incidents reported within the service time must be dealt with on the same working day.

Further details on the tendered services are contained in the tender documents (in particular Part B. "Specifications"), which the suitable tenderers receive after the end of the competition with the invitation to submit the initial tender.