Transforming Federal Procurement: The General Services Administration’s OneGov Initiative
In an evolving landscape where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming central to operational efficiency, the General Services Administration (GSA) is taking significant steps to integrate these technologies into the federal government through its OneGov initiative. Launched in April 2025, OneGov serves as a comprehensive strategy offering federal agencies discounted access to select private sector technology and software services, effectively treating the government as one cohesive customer.
A Unified Approach to Technology Procurement
Historically, federal procurement has been fragmented, with individual agencies engaging in separate negotiations with technology providers. The OneGov strategy aims to streamline this process. By consolidating the purchasing power of various agencies, GSA has negotiated deals with more than a dozen leading companies in the tech sector, including major players like Microsoft, SAP, and xAI. This collective bargaining approach not only secures significant discounts but also simplifies the procurement process for agencies eager to embrace innovative technologies like AI.
Enhancing AI Adoption Across Federal Agencies
At the GovCIO’s AI summit, GSA’s Chief AI Officer and Data Scientist, Zach Whitman, highlighted how OneGov is facilitating the adoption of AI tools across government entities. He explained that for agencies looking to experiment with AI in low-risk scenarios, OneGov provides a much-needed procurement pathway. Historically, many agencies have had limited exposure to AI technologies but have shown interest in incorporating them into their operations. OneGov aims to alleviate any hesitation by making these tools more accessible and less intimidating in terms of federal procurement practices.
Whitman emphasized the importance of integration: “We want to make sure that these technologies do not appear so distinct to normal federal procurement eyes that, ‘Well, maybe we’ll get to that later.’ We want to make it available." This commitment to accessibility encourages agencies to explore and utilize AI solutions more readily.
Recent Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts
GSA’s pursuit of partnerships has yielded tangible results. Recently, GSA announced a deal with Cohesity to provide AI-driven data security solutions, underscoring the initiative’s focus on strengthening technological infrastructure within the federal government. Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum characterized this agreement as a vital step toward ensuring a robust and secure AI framework while aligning with broader national goals regarding AI competitiveness.
Interestingly, this was not the first partnership under OneGov. A previous agreement with Meta enabled agencies to access discounted open-source AI models, expanding the suite of resources available to federal entities. GSA also secured a deal with ServiceNow, which involved significant price reductions for its AI platform and various agentic AI capabilities, making advanced AI tools more affordable for government use.
Shaping the Future of Federal Tech Procurement
Whitman further elaborated on the strategic focus of OneGov agreements, stating that they serve as a means to draw attention to potential options available for agencies and to foster a proactive approach towards AI adoption. He described these contracts as an “invitation” for agencies to consider innovative solutions that can enhance their operations and service delivery.
While many of these agreements have set expiration dates, senior GSA procurement officials express optimism that OneGov will pave the way for enduring partnerships with industry leaders, potentially transforming the technological landscape of federal operations.
Introducing USAi: A Governmentwide AI Testing Platform
In addition to the OneGov initiative, GSA unveiled the USAi platform in August 2025, a governmentwide AI testing facility designed to support agencies in experimenting with and evaluating a variety of AI tools. This effort complements the priorities established by the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan released the previous July, which advocated for the development of an AI evaluation suite to enhance governmental capabilities in technological innovation.
By creating a space for agencies to test and refine AI solutions, USAi is positioned as a crucial element in fostering a culture of experimentation and adaptability within the federal government.
Through these initiatives, the GSA is not just trying to keep pace with technological advancements but actively facilitating a paradigm shift in how the federal government engages with emerging technologies. This strategic focus on accessibility, partnerships, and experimentation may very well define the future of federal procurement and catalyze a broader embrace of AI across various agencies.
