Air Force Spends $47.9M on Adobe Software & Support via BPA Call with CDW Government LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,888,798 ($47.9M)
Contractor: CDW Government LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2013-09-30
End Date: 2016-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $43.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: AIR FORCE ADOBE SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $47.9 million to CDW GOVERNMENT LLC for work described as: AIR FORCE ADOBE SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant spending on essential software licenses and support services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and potential for price increases over time. 4. IT sector spending, common for government agencies requiring productivity software.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award value of $47.9M over three years for Adobe software and support appears reasonable given the scale of government operations. Benchmarking against similar enterprise software agreements would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, utilizing a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This method allows for broad participation and generally promotes competitive pricing discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to achieve favorable pricing.
Public Impact
Ensures critical software access for Air Force personnel, supporting daily operations. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding on enterprise software. Transparency in government software procurement through public contract data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 44 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price escalation in subsequent contract periods.
- Reliance on a single software vendor can limit flexibility.
- Need for ongoing monitoring of software usage and license optimization.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Utilizes a BPA Call, a flexible procurement vehicle.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically for software licensing and support. Government spending on enterprise software like Adobe is substantial and benchmarked against commercial rates and other agency agreements.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific participation or set-asides for small businesses in this particular BPA Call. Larger contracts for enterprise software often involve major resellers, but subcontracting opportunities may exist.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and ensuring continued need for the software.
Related Government Programs
- Computer and Software Stores
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Information Systems Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price increases in future periods.
- Risk of vendor lock-in.
- Need for ongoing license optimization.
- Dependence on a single software provider.
Tags
computer-and-software-stores, department-of-defense, md, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $47.9 million to CDW GOVERNMENT LLC. AIR FORCE ADOBE SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CDW GOVERNMENT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $47.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-09-30. End: 2016-09-29.
What is the average annual cost per user for this Adobe software agreement?
Without specific user counts or detailed license breakdowns, calculating an exact per-user cost is not possible from the provided data. However, the total award of $47.9M over three years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $16M. Further analysis would require knowing the number of licenses procured and the specific Adobe products included.
What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year software agreement of this magnitude?
Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch to alternative software solutions. There's also the risk of price increases in future periods, especially if competition diminishes. Ensuring the software remains relevant and utilized efficiently is crucial to avoid overspending.
How does this spending compare to similar government-wide Adobe software procurements?
Benchmarking this $47.9M award against other large-scale Adobe agreements across federal agencies would be necessary for a comprehensive comparison. Factors like the specific Adobe Creative Cloud or Document Cloud suite, number of users, and support levels influence pricing. Agencies often leverage enterprise-wide agreements for better volume discounts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores
Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: CDW Corporation
Address: 230 N MILWAUKEE AVE, VERNON HILLS, IL, 60061
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,888,812
Exercised Options: $47,888,812
Current Obligation: $47,888,798
Contract Characteristics
Consolidated Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0010412AZF32
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-09-30
Current End Date: 2016-09-29
Potential End Date: 2016-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-09-29
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