Leverage competition by presenting alternate suppliers or solutions that meet your needs at a lower cost. Make it clear that ThreatWARRIOR needs to be competitive not just in pricing but in overall offerings compared to these alternatives.
Request that any proposed uplift or increase in costs be reconsidered given the current budget constraints and your previous spend levels. Emphasize that you expect stable pricing despite potential growth and that this is a standard expectation with similar suppliers.
This tactic focuses on the necessity to remove auto-renewal terms from your contract, which will provide you with more negotiating power for future renewals and allow you to assess other competitive options without any commitment.
If you anticipate increasing usage or adding more licenses, mention this as a reason to negotiate lower unit prices as economies of scale should benefit both parties in terms of pricing.
Offer to act as a case study or reference in exchange for better pricing. This shows your commitment and allows ThreatWARRIOR to leverage your business for marketing purposes, which can lead to favorable pricing adjustments.