Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Artificial Intelligence

GSA Panel Focuses on AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity in Federal Procurement

The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Acquisition Policy Federal Advisory Committee (GAP FAC) held its first 2024 meeting on December 5th, introducing 14 new members and focusing on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. (MeriTalk December 5, 2024)

GAP FAC advises the GSA administrator, offering guidance on acquisition tools and addressing top challenges in Federal procurement. (ibid)

During the Dec. 5 public meeting, the advisory board outlined plans to integrate advanced technologies into procurement. The committee aims to leverage AI and data analytics to boost efficiency, adopt climate-conscious acquisition strategies, and resolve systemic issues in the acquisition ecosystem. (ibid)

“GSA is ready to embrace emerging technologies and deliver solutions that meet the government’s evolving needs,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “This committee’s invaluable expertise will help federal agencies drive innovation, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for the American people.” (ibid)

The meeting also introduced the new members, including:

  • Dorothea Abraham, Mason School of Business, William and Mary
  • Dean Alderucci, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Tiffany Angulo, California Department of Technology
  • Gordon Bitko, Information Technology Industry Council
  • Time Cooke, ASI Government, Inc.
  • Matthew Cornelius, Workday
  • Ravit Dotan, TechBetter
  • Omid Ghaffari-Tabrizi, Google
  • Margaret Graves, IBM
  • Jared Johnson, California Department of Technology
  • James Keagle, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resources Strategy
  • Cari Miller, Center for Inclusive Change
  • Lindsey Moore, DevelopMetrics
  • Adrianna Tan, Future Ethics

GSA opened nominations for new members in July, seeking expertise in AI, cloud computing, machine learning, and cybersecurity. (ibid)

“This committee plays a vital role in shaping the future of federal procurement,” said Jeffrey Koses, GSA Senior Procurement Executive. “The work we’re undertaking will not only improve how the federal government acquires goods and services, but will also ensure that procurement strategies remain adaptive and innovative in a rapidly changing technological landscape.” (ibid)

Questions about how your business might take advantage of AI, Cloud or Cybersecurity in upcoming procurements? Give us a call.

OMB Issues First Governmentwide AI Acquisition Policy

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released new guidance today to improve how Federal agencies acquire artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The guidance, outlined in the memo Advancing the Responsible Acquisition of AI in Government, directs agencies to boost cross-functional collaboration, manage AI risks and performance, and foster a competitive AI market. (MeriTalk October 3, 2024)

OMB’s Deputy Director for Management, Jason Miller, emphasized the need for responsible AI procurement, stating that Federal agencies will either have AI systems built by contractors or purchase them directly. “This new memo equips agencies with the tools to capture AI’s potential while managing its risks,” Miller said. (ibid)

A large portion of the memo focuses on managing AI risks, with OMB mandating early involvement from agency privacy officials in AI acquisition processes to identify privacy risks and ensure legal compliance. Agencies are also instructed to negotiate contracts that require vendors to provide detailed information for evaluating AI systems, assessing risks, and protecting government data. (ibid)

The guidance addresses generative AI specifically, calling for testing, red-teaming, and evaluation to ensure the safety and appropriateness of AI tools. It also promotes practices to avoid vendor lock-in, prioritize transparency, and ensure interoperability in AI systems. (ibid)

This guidance fulfills a key part of the Biden-Harris administration’s October 2023 AI executive order and reflects input gathered from public comments and industry roundtables. OMB’s Miller highlighted the Federal government’s significant purchasing power, noting that in 2023, it spent over $100 billion on IT products and services. He stressed that responsible procurement decisions can accelerate AI advancements while mitigating risks for government use. (ibid)

Questions concerning the new OMB issued AI guidance? Give us a call.