Commerce Buys 250 Bitwarden Licenses for $546,600, Covering 5 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $54,660 ($54.7K)
Contractor: Carolina Advanced Digital, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2022-10-01
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 250 BITWARDEN ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION SEAT LICENSES WITH MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: CARY, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27513
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $54,660 to CAROLINA ADVANCED DIGITAL, INC. for work described as: 250 BITWARDEN ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION SEAT LICENSES WITH MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Software licensing for cybersecurity tools is a growing market. 2. Competition under SAP suggests a structured procurement process. 3. Long-term support and maintenance are critical for software effectiveness. 4. The firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The price of $546,600 for 250 licenses over five years averages to $437 per seat annually. This appears competitive for enterprise-grade password management solutions with ongoing support.
Cost Per Unit: $437 per seat annually
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, indicating a pre-negotiated framework agreement. While not a full and open competition, it likely leveraged existing government-wide purchasing agreements for efficiency and potentially competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a structured procurement process that aims for competitive pricing through existing agreements, ensuring value for essential cybersecurity software.
Public Impact
Enhances cybersecurity posture for NOAA personnel. Provides secure access to sensitive data and systems. Supports operational continuity through reliable software maintenance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in with long-term support.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical security software.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a clear need for password management.
- Long contract duration provides stability.
- Firm fixed price mitigates cost escalation risk.
Sector Analysis
This purchase falls within the IT sector, specifically software licensing. Spending on cybersecurity solutions, including password management, has increased significantly as organizations prioritize data protection.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have specific set-asides for small businesses. The vendor, Carolina Advanced Digital, Inc., is a small business, which is a positive signal for SMB participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a competed SAP framework suggests a degree of oversight in the procurement process. However, ongoing monitoring of license utilization and vendor performance is crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Software Publishers
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may not yield the best possible price.
- Long-term reliance on a single software vendor.
- Need to ensure active license utilization and prevent waste.
- Potential for price increases upon contract renewal.
Tags
software-publishers, department-of-commerce, nc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $54,660 to CAROLINA ADVANCED DIGITAL, INC.. 250 BITWARDEN ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION SEAT LICENSES WITH MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CAROLINA ADVANCED DIGITAL, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $54,660.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the total cost per user over the contract's life?
The total contract value is $546,600 for 250 licenses over 1825 days (5 years). This equates to approximately $2,186.40 per user over the entire contract period, or roughly $437.28 per user annually, including maintenance and support.
What are the risks associated with a limited competition procurement?
Limited competition, even under an existing framework like SAP, can potentially lead to higher prices than a full and open competition. There's also a risk that alternative, potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions might be overlooked.
How does this spending align with government cybersecurity priorities?
This spending directly aligns with federal cybersecurity priorities by investing in a robust password management solution. Secure credential management is a foundational element of protecting government systems and data from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1010 HIGH HOUSE RD STE 300, CARY, NC, 27513
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $54,660
Exercised Options: $54,660
Current Obligation: $54,660
Actual Outlays: $33,045
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-10-01
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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