Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act

The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act would require federal agencies and intelligence agencies to conduct a complete assessment of all software they use, including what they own, what it costs, and how it functions. This assessment would cover software purchases, leases, licenses, and related contracts, as well as hidden fees and restrictions on how the software can be used across different parts of an agency.

Once agencies complete their assessments, they would develop management plans aimed at consolidating duplicate software licenses, finding more cost-effective ways to buy software, and preventing departments within agencies from using software without approval. These plans would be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress, giving lawmakers visibility into how federal agencies spend money on software.

Within two years, the Office of Management and Budget would provide Congress with recommendations on how the government could improve its software purchasing practices to reduce costs, improve performance, and make different software systems work better together. The Government Accountability Office would also study how different agencies manage their software and report on trends across the federal government.

The bill passed the House and is currently in committee in the Senate. If enacted, it would likely result in more transparent tracking of federal software spending and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by eliminating redundant software purchases and improving how agencies buy and use technology.