Agencies are prioritizing flexibility and cost savings in AI purchases, GSA official says

"GSA serves as one of the primary acquisition hubs within government, managing several multiple award schedules and contracting vehicles where other agencies can purchase goods and services. Hale said that, while he can't speak for every individual agency, common areas of interest rotate around internal knowledge management, document drafting and analysis, customer and employee support, IT and service management and other high-volume, text- and workflow-heavy operations."

""Early demand signals within GSA-managed catalogs show strong interest in generative AI tools that support everyday work, particularly conversational AI and embedded productivity capabilities," he said. The specific outcomes or metrics federal customers are tracking when adopting new AI systems are relatively diverse. Ways to support productivity gains, security and data protection, workforce impact, and responsible use are all conversations happening as agencies shop for their AI products."

Federal agencies are increasingly adopting AI across workflows and are opting for competitive-market purchasing for practical operational uses. Agencies prioritize choice, flexibility, and significant discounts when procuring AI. Interest centers on internal knowledge management, document drafting and analysis, customer and employee support, IT and service management, and other high-volume, text-heavy operations. Demand signals show strong interest in generative AI, especially conversational and embedded productivity features. Agencies evaluate productivity gains, security and data protection, workforce impact, and responsible use, and prefer AI tools that integrate with existing digital systems rather than standalone applications.

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