SSA awards $1.03M BPA Call for Red Hat software maintenance and OpenShift subscriptions to Carahsoft
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,031,715 ($1.0M)
Contractor: Carahsoft Technology Corp
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 331 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: BPA FOR REDHAT SOFTWARE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE. CALL ORDER FOR OPENSHIFT SOFTWARE AND LINUX SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $1.0 million to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: BPA FOR REDHAT SOFTWARE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE. CALL ORDER FOR OPENSHIFT SOFTWARE AND LINUX SUBSCRIPTIONS. Key points: 1. Spending on software maintenance and subscriptions is a recurring cost for government agencies. 2. Carahsoft Technology Corp is a major reseller of software to the federal government. 3. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's a task order under a larger agreement. 4. The sector is Software Publishers, a critical area for government IT infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount is $1,031,715.30. Without specific unit pricing or comparison data for Red Hat and OpenShift subscriptions and maintenance, a precise per-unit cost assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under a BPA Call with full and open competition. This method generally promotes competitive pricing by allowing any qualified vendor to bid. The specific pricing achieved through this competition is not detailed here.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers. The $1.03M expenditure is for essential software maintenance and subscriptions.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical Social Security Administration IT systems. Supports the use of Red Hat and OpenShift, common platforms in government. Provides access to software updates and technical support, enhancing system security and functionality. The contract duration extends into early 2027, indicating a medium-term commitment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed per-unit cost comparison.
- BPA Call structure requires understanding the underlying BPA.
- Reliance on a single reseller (Carahsoft) for specific software.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
- Supports critical agency operations.
- Long-term software support secured.
Sector Analysis
The Software Publishers sector is vital for government IT infrastructure, providing the tools and platforms necessary for agency operations. Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on the specific software and scale of deployment.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Carahsoft Technology Corp, a large reseller. There is no indication that small businesses were directly involved in this specific BPA Call award, though they may be involved in the underlying BPA.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract falls under the purview of the Social Security Administration. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to terms, and ensuring continued need for the software and maintenance.
Related Government Programs
- Software Publishers
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price increases upon renewal.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical software.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
- Cost effectiveness relies on competitive pricing within the BPA.
Tags
software-publishers, social-security-administration, va, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $1.0 million to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP. BPA FOR REDHAT SOFTWARE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE. CALL ORDER FOR OPENSHIFT SOFTWARE AND LINUX SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-02-28.
What is the total cost of ownership for Red Hat and OpenShift software over the contract's lifespan, considering potential future renewals or upgrades?
The current award is for $1,031,715.30, covering a period of approximately 331 days. To determine the total cost of ownership, one would need to project costs beyond this period, factoring in potential price increases for renewals, the need for additional licenses or features, and the possibility of migrating to different software solutions in the future. This initial award represents only a portion of the potential long-term investment.
What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this Red Hat software maintenance and OpenShift subscription contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, software maintenance and subscription contracts include SLAs related to response times for technical support, availability of software updates, and uptime guarantees for subscription-based services. These would be crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the vendor's service delivery and ensuring the agency receives the expected value.
How does the pricing for these Red Hat and OpenShift licenses and maintenance compare to other federal agencies or commercial entities acquiring similar products?
A direct price comparison is challenging without access to benchmark data for identical Red Hat and OpenShift configurations and maintenance agreements across other federal or commercial entities. Carahsoft often leverages government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) or other large agreements that may offer competitive pricing. However, a thorough analysis would require comparing unit costs, support levels, and contract terms against publicly available data or through inter-agency data sharing.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11493 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,031,715
Exercised Options: $1,031,715
Current Obligation: $1,031,715
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321322A00040015
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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