Computer Associates on verge of SmartBuy deal with GSA

The General Services Administration earlier this week said it is close to a cybersecurity software agreement for a Cabinet-level agency with Computer Associates International Inc. under the agency's SmartBuy enterprise-licensing program.

GSA issued a notice on the FedBizOpps Web site stating that the agency "contemplates" a SmartBuy agreement for anti-virus licenses with Computer Associates.

The SmartBuy program consolidates the purchasing power of the federal government in an effort to get better prices, terms and agreements from federal contractors for software enterprise-licensing programs.

The posting gives agencies notice that a deal with the company is imminent and that the agency should refrain from buying Computer Associates' anti-virus tools until an agreement is reached.

Agencies that can justify continuing with existing deals can apply for waivers, according to a memo posted on the CIO Council's Web site last year.

Rob Thormeyer is a writer for Washington Technology's sister publication, Government Computer News.