SSA Spends $44.8K on Red Hat Linux Subscription via BPA Call, Ending Feb 2027
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $44,782 ($44.8K)
Contractor: Carahsoft Technology Corp
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2027-02-01
Contract Duration: 300 days
Daily Burn Rate: $149/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 12 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO RED HAT ENTERPRISE LINUX SERVER WITH SMART MANAGEMENT + SATELLITE, STANDARD (PHYSICAL OR VIRTUAL NODES) (RH00009)
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $44,781.5 to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: 12 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO RED HAT ENTERPRISE LINUX SERVER WITH SMART MANAGEMENT + SATELLITE, STANDARD (PHYSICAL OR VIRTUAL NODES) (RH00009) Key points: 1. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is procuring a 12-month subscription for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server with management tools. 2. The contract was awarded to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 3. The total value is $44,781.50, with a duration of 300 days. 4. The procurement method is Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 511210 (Software Publishers).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The price of $44,781.50 for a 12-month subscription appears reasonable for enterprise-level Linux support and management tools, especially considering the vendor and the nature of the BPA call.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition via a BPA Call. This method allows for broad participation and competitive pricing, ensuring the government receives fair value.
Taxpayer Impact: The cost of $44,781.50 for essential software infrastructure is a necessary expense for the SSA's operations, with competition likely mitigating excessive spending.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and security of critical IT systems for the Social Security Administration. Provides access to essential software updates, patches, and technical support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Supports the agency's ability to manage and maintain its physical or virtual server environments effectively. The subscription includes advanced management features like Satellite, enhancing system administration capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in with proprietary software subscriptions.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical operating system support.
- Subscription costs can escalate over time, impacting long-term budget predictability.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes a competitive BPA call for procurement.
- Includes advanced management and security features.
- Supports critical government IT infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
The IT sector, particularly software licensing and support, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for enterprise Linux subscriptions vary widely based on features, support levels, and scale, but this appears to be a standard procurement for operational needs.
Small Business Impact
While the award was made to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP, it's unclear if they are a small business or if any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were part of this BPA call. Further investigation into the prime contractor's status and subcontracting plans would be beneficial.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call under Full and Open Competition suggests a degree of oversight in the procurement process. However, ongoing monitoring of subscription usage and renewal costs is crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Software Publishers
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost escalation upon renewal.
- Dependence on a single software vendor.
- Lack of specific detail on node count for cost analysis.
- Need for ongoing performance monitoring against SLAs.
Tags
software-publishers, social-security-administration, va, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $44,781.5 to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP. 12 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO RED HAT ENTERPRISE LINUX SERVER WITH SMART MANAGEMENT + SATELLITE, STANDARD (PHYSICAL OR VIRTUAL NODES) (RH00009)
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 $44,781.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-02-01.
What is the specific number of nodes or licenses covered by this subscription, and how does the per-unit cost compare to similar government or commercial contracts?
The data provided does not specify the exact number of physical or virtual nodes covered by the Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription. Without this detail, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is difficult to establish. However, the total cost of $44,781.50 for a 12-month subscription including management tools suggests a mid-range deployment, and comparison would require knowing the scale of the deployment.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this subscription, and how will their fulfillment be monitored to ensure effectiveness?
The provided data does not detail the specific KPIs or SLAs for this Red Hat subscription. Typically, such contracts include uptime guarantees, response times for support, and patch availability. The SSA would need internal processes and potentially vendor reporting mechanisms to monitor these metrics and ensure the subscription effectively supports their IT infrastructure and operational requirements.
Are there any plans for migrating away from this subscription or exploring open-source alternatives in the future to potentially reduce long-term costs and vendor dependency?
The current data does not indicate any future migration plans or exploration of open-source alternatives. Given the reliance on Red Hat's ecosystem for management tools like Satellite, a transition would likely involve significant planning and investment. The agency's long-term IT strategy would dictate such decisions, balancing cost, functionality, and risk.
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: $44,782
Exercised Options: $44,782
Current Obligation: $44,782
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321322A00040015
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2027-02-01
Potential End Date: 2027-02-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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