Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) is a partnership of several software suppliers that focuses on taking advantage of the Department of Defense (DoD) as the largest single software consumer in the world. This initiative works to create DoD-wide Enterprise Software Agreements (ESAs) that substantially reduce the cost of DoD common-use, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. Savings of 50 percent to 70 percent of the GSA schedule prices is common. ESI is testing the concept of using up-front funding for initial wholesale software buys.

Check the web site to see if the software rights or maintenance have already been purchased and are available from the DoD inventory. If they are available, the buyer or requiring official must purchase designated software from the DoD inventory and reimburse the software product manager. If they are not available from the inventory or from an ESA, the buyer or requiring official may use an alternative method of acquisition as long as it complies with current laws and policy. Multiple agreements exist for DoD-wide use at no additional cost to users.

Various other tools are added to the web site as agreements are reached. For more information, go to http://www.don-imit.navy.mil/esi/.