Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions are a top priority among federal IT executives, as well as national security, healthcare, and other sectors.  One federal CIO has said that her agency is focused on “All AI, all the time.”  A quick look at spending numbers also shows a rapid acceleration of dollars spent on AI solutions. Bloomberg Government data suggests that the federal AI market is approaching or exceeding $2 billion annually.  Yet, this is one area where government acquisition rules have yet to be keep up.  There are no AI-related provisions in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and a recent review of open FAR cases shows that no AI-specific proposed rules are on the agenda. Many agencies are creating their own patchwork quilt of specific AI use rules, some of which are based on a recent Executive Order (EO) that Read more

Congress passed another CR last week to give itself more time to (hopefully) pass FY’24 appropriations bills, even as we get closer to FY’25.  March 8^th is the new deadline for “non-controversial” funding for the VA, HUD, FDA, and smaller agencies, while March 22^nd is the new deadline for DOD, DHS, and about 80% of all discretionary spending.  This effectively means that no new projects requiring appropriated money will be able to be awarded until approximately May 1^st, seven months into the fiscal year.  The substantial delay means that appropriations will be about as late as they have ever been without there being a year-long CR. Read more