Positive rate...
ATC in the US will often ask if your unusual altitude is for 'Operational Reasons' but no RVSM will be denoted in the equipment suffix.
As far as this being a previously unheard of event; if your company or regulator shares ASR or FOQA data you may be able to see otherwise.
Personally I struggle to see how anyone gets this far configured like this; but they were likely talking to company and deeply
Into the PERF pages too..
Woods for the trees.
If in doubt; re run the checklists...!