'Perpetual' Lacks Meaning in DISA Software Buys

Way back in 2006, the Defense Information Systems Agency bought a bunch of McAfee software through BAE Systems for a Host-Based Security System used throughout the Defense Department to monitor, detect and counter threats against military networks and computer systems. The software was bought with a "perpetual" license agreement.

Mr. Webster tells me that perpetual means, among other things, everlasting, continuing forever and valid for all time. In the peculiar world of software, as illustrated by a sole source extension by DISA of the BAE Systems/McAfee contract this Monday, these definitions mean nothing.

DISA may have bought a perpetual software license, but it still needs "continued license maintenance and training," which will cost it $1.2 million a month through February, for a total of $8.4 million under a "bridge contract," according to a Justification and Approval notice posted on FedBizOpps.

DISA said it conducted market research and issued two requests for proposals to find an alternative to the BAE/McAfee software, and concluded that it would take four years and cost $500 million to transition to new software.

DISA said it plans to award a new a Host-Based Security System contract by the end of September, and based on the above, it looks like a shoo-in for BAE/McAFee -- which means they will lend up getting paid in perpetuity for license maintenance, whatever that means.