U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) on June 4 proposed a bipartisan bill that would require federal agencies to conduct independent, comprehensive assessments of their software licensing purchases and develop plans to save costs.
The senators cosponsored the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act, S. 1956, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and fellow original cosponsors including U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).
“President Trump wants to cut waste and spend taxpayer dollars wisely,” Sen. Cassidy said. “By consolidating their inventory, this bill forces federal agencies to spend as if taxpayers were spending their own money.”
The bill aims to improve how federal agencies purchase and manage software, and the required assessments would provide Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the General Services Administration (GSA) with insights to bolster oversight of software contracts, streamline operations, and reduce wasteful spending, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“The federal government’s ancient computers and outdated, noncompetitive bidding process for software contracts cost taxpayers hundreds of millions every year,” said Sen. Ernst. “Through the SAMOSA Act, we can bring Washington out of the Stone Age and into the 21st century to save Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars.”
The SAMOSA Act is supported by the Federal Affairs for the Computer & Communications Industry Association, the Alliance for Digital Innovation, and the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing.