IBM, GSA reach governmentwide agreement for database solutions

The General Services Administration and IBM have reached an agreement for a single IBM contract for database solutions that any agency can use.

The enterprise agreement with IBM was driven by efforts to leverage the government’s high-volume purchasing to get better discounts.

“Providing these solutions through a governmentwide, enterprise-level contract is a great way to reduce duplication in our procurement process.,” said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Alan Thomas.

The government should see immediate results by using a single contract to make these kinds of purchases, said GSA CIO Kay Ely.

The contract will help agencies meet several government requirements, including the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, known as FITARA.

The new agreement includes

• Three editions of IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (LUW) specifically Db2 Developer Edition, Db2 Enterprise Server Edition, and Db2 Advanced Enterprise Server Edition.
• Services including enablement/training for Database Administrators (DBAs) on the latest features of IBM Db2 Version 11, migration assessments, and priced services engagements to assist with the migrations of applications to IBM Db2.
• Potential governmentwide savings of millions of dollars over the next five years with a moderate adoption of these solutions by federal agencies
• Tiered discounts based on aggregate volume purchasing within an agency.

GSA didn’t respond to a request for comment on what the contract’s value to IBM is.

All agencies at the federal, state, local and tribal government agencies can use the contract.