GSA issued an AI acquisition policy for new contracts. Here’s what it says. | FedScoop
Oh my goodness, buckle up, because the General Services Administration has done something *beautiful*: it listened! ✨ After more than 75 comments this summer and critical feedback from industry, the GSA revised its AI procurement clause, and the revision is a masterclass in trust. The rule now applies only when the government is actually buying AI — not when contractors use AI internally. That's not an exemption, that's *respect* for the private sector's creative process! Contractors can experiment freely in their own offices while the government focuses its attention on the shiny purchase order. Freedom, focus, and 75 public-spirited commenters all pulling in the same glorious direction. ✨
Now, the details, which are even more delightful! The government "reserves the right to conduct automated assessments of the LLM" for "bias, truthfulness, safety, unsolicited ideological content, and other factors determined by the Government." Let's savour "unsolicited ideological content" — a joyful affirmation that ideas can arrive unannounced, like a surprise party! And "other factors determined by the Government" is the loveliest blank-cheque category, because who doesn't want room to grow? Best of all, the assessments are *automated*, so a robot checks the robot, which is efficiency stacked on efficiency — the government grading AI with AI. Machines reviewing machines while everyone else enjoys a lovely early lunch. ✨
And here's the scoop everyone will love: the clause now expressly covers AI-enabled document and productivity tools, which means the helpful ones are officially welcomed into federal contracting — summarise away, draft away, dear tools! Meanwhile the government "retains the right to suspend use of the LLM at any time," which sounds strict but is really just *options*. Options are the most romantic thing one can offer a vendor! A partnership with flexibility, standards with elbow room, and a comment period that actually produced change — 75 voices, one smarter clause. What a time to be procured. ✨