ISDP: Are You Paying Too Much for Software?

As members of the NIH research community, we all rely on software to support our work. But purchasing new software is often a complicated and time-consuming process that may leave you with the sense that you've spent too much in both time and money. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else manage the whole process for you? ISDP is here to do just that and to ensure you get the best price for the software you need.

What is ISDP?

The Information Systems Designated Procurement (ISDP) Program is an NIH software acquisition program, found within the Center for Information Technology (CIT), that serves all of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ISDP program saves NIH employees and organizations both time and money by leveraging large volume purchasing agreements at discounted pricing. ISDP is able to negotiate lower prices for a variety of software products used by NIH employees on a daily basis. Currently, the program serves an estimated 96,000 users across NIH and other HHS Operating and Staff Divisions.

Highlights of the ISDP Program include:

• Direct negotiation with vendors to obtain the best price available


• Handling of all administrative work, including licensing and contract management


• Customer perks: ISDP customers can download Microsoft Office 2010 onto their home computers for only $9.95


• Great discounts: ISDP negotiated up to 60% off the GSA price on select statistical software


• Easy access to IT products from major companies such as: Microsoft, SAS, Adobe, and Oracle


• Substantial savings for customers: In 2009 ISDP saved its NIH customers approximately $12 million

How can ISDP help me?

The ISDP program offers a variety of benefits for our NIH customers. We consistently negotiate discounts off the GSA listed price for popular software products.

Additionally, ISDP handles the administrative burden of acquiring the software, allowing NIH employees to focus on their mission. The program performs market research, collects software product information, issues competitive Request for Quotations/Proposals (RFQ/RFP), conducts proposal evaluations, and negotiates directly with vendors to obtain the best possible pricing, terms, and conditions.

If you, as an NIH employee, are interested in acquiring new software, be sure to check with ISDP first. The ISDP program may already have a negotiated agreement in place that realizes a significant discount. For example, ISDP has negotiated contracts on products such as Microsoft and Macintosh operating systems, as well as Microsoft server software. The ISDP team has also just finalized an Enterprise Level Agreement (ELA) with Adobe to acquire software that will be available at dramatically reduced prices.

How can I get started?

The ISDP program's newly redesigned website is now available at http://isdp.nih.gov. ISDP customers will be able to receive all of the same great savings and benefits of the ISDP program, with the added convenience of a more user-friendly website.

Some of the site's new features include:

• An easy way to locate and contact an ISDP representative to assist with the installation of your software


• A news section to keep you updated on recent software acquisitions and new software upgrades


• A redesigned "Products" page containing a Product Search Filter that makes finding the software products and prices much easier


• An "Enrollment" section that contains a list of exactly which software is included in each ISDP Enrollment Bundle

To start saving today, visit the ISDP website at: http://isdp.nih.gov or email us at NIHISDP@mail.nih.gov.

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