Artificial Intelligence Acquisitions: Agencies Should Collect and Apply Lessons Learned to Improve Future Procurements

Details

• Creators:
  Russell,William ; Wright, Candice N.
• Corporate Creators:
  United States. Government Accountability Office
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Lessons learned
  • Contracts
  • Contract administration
  • Procurement
• Publication/ Report Number:
  GAO-26-107859
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Government Accountability Office
• Abstract:
  Industry leads AI development, reportedly investing over $250 billion in 2024 alone. Federal agencies are finding many opportunities to use AI to execute their missions. They already use AI for veteran services, enhancements to weapon systems, and administrative tasks. To realize the benefits of AI, federal agencies often contract with companies to acquire solutions. Members of Congress and others have raised concerns about federal AI acquisitions. These concerns include long-standing acquisition issues, such as fostering competition, as well as issues specific to AI, such as training AI models on flawed data. GAO was asked to review federal AI acquisitions. This report addresses (1) acquisition approaches agencies are using to adopt AI, (2) types of challenges agencies face when acquiring AI capabilities, and (3) the extent to which selected agencies are prepared to share knowledge related to acquiring AI solutions. GAO conducted in-depth reviews of 13 AI acquisitions at four federal agencies-DOD, DHS, GSA, and VA. GAO selected these agencies based on maturity of AI acquisition efforts and approaches to acquiring AI capabilities, among other factors. GAO reviewed the agencies' relevant policies, and interviewed senior AI acquisition leaders at the selected agencies. GAO also analyzed OMB guidance.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93264/dot_93264_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.20 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Artificial Intelligence Deployment Center of Excellence (AI COE)
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a99ea7e42415af3e4fd2884faf87880242b6a094a9ee29a6327c667831082dc55d1e86dbaf83f633273217fcccf0325de6bef2dc618694a96e053eebb148415e