GSA inks governmentwide database deal with IBM
Leveraging its IT Schedule 70 FITARA Enhancement Program, the General Services Administration has secured a new contract with IBM to provide database software governmentwide.
The agreement allows federal agencies — as well as state, local and tribal government agencies — to purchase the solutions through a single contract, which provides those services at a tiered, discounted rate because of its high-volume buying structure.
“With this newly negotiated agreement, the government will see immediate benefits that come from using one enterprise-wide contract to drive significant cost savings,” Kay Ely, assistant commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service’s Office of Information Technology Category, said in a statement. “We appreciate the willingness of our industry partners to work with GSA to meet critical FITARA and IT modernization objectives.”
GSA is required by the IT Schedule 70 FITARA Enhancement Program to secure a minimum of two annual governmentwide software agreements with the aim of providing new technology solutions on its IT schedule with cost savings.
Services on the new contract include IBM Db2 database software for Linux, UNIX and Windows, including versions of Db2 Developer Edition, Db2 Enterprise Server Edition and Db2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition. The software, according to IBM, helps users manage databases across a variety of platforms, languages and data types.
Agencies can also procure training for IBM Db2 Version 11 databases, migration assessments and priced services engagements to assist offices migrating to Db2 servers.
GSA officials said the contract could result in millions in potential savings over the next five years that stems from centralized, bulk buying.
“The IT Schedule 70 FITARA Enhancement Program will provide government agencies with greater flexibility in accessing the innovative software solutions they need at a better value to taxpayers,” FAS Commissioner Alan Thomas said in a statement. “Providing these solutions through a governmentwide, enterprise-level contract is a great way to reduce duplication in our procurement process.”
GSA previously used the program in February to ink a deal with Reston, Va.-based reseller Carahsoft Technology Corporation to procure ServiceNow IT management software licenses on a governmentwide contract.
